Resource for Session 2: "Find someone who".
Find someone who can say yes to each of the following facts. Fill in each line with a different group member’s name:
Find someone who...
Has a pet
Has brown eyes
Has been on a camping holiday
Hates this kind of icebreaker activity
Was born South of the Equator
Is an only child
Was born in a Summer month
Has sung in a public performance
Can speak another language fluently
Does not like chocolate
Can knit or crochet
Is left handed
Resource for Session 3: Spiritual Styles Questionnaire
Sacred Styles Questionnaire
Rate each statement on a scale of 1 to 5. 1 being the least true and 5 being the most true.
1. _____
I feel closest to God when I’m surrounded by what he has made
- the mountains, the forests, or the sea.
2. _____
I enjoy when the church service engages my sense of smell, taste or touch: Such as candles,
Communion, and greeting people.
3. _____
The words tradition and history
are very appealing to me.
4. _____
Taking an overnight retreat by myself at a monastery where I could spend large amounts of time alone in a small room, or praying to God,
are activities I would enjoy.
5. _____
I would like to awaken the church from its apathy.
6. _____
I feel closest to God when I see him in the needy, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. I feel God’s
presence most strongly when I am sitting quietly beside the bed of someone who is lonely or ill or taking a meal to someone in need. You can count on me to offer a ride or volunteer to help.
7. _____
God is an exciting God, and we should be excited about worshiping him.
8. _____
The words lover, intimacy, and
heart are very appealing to me.
9. _____
I feel close to God when I participate in several hours of uninterrupted study time – reading the Bible or good Christian books and then perhaps having an opportunity to teach (or participate in a discussion with) a small group.
10. _____
I feel cut off if I have to spend too much time indoors just listening to
speakers or singing songs. Nothing helps me connect with God better than being outside.
11. _____
I’d have a difficult time worshiping in a church building that is plain and
lacks a sense of awe or majesty. I have a difficult time worshiping through second-rate Christian art or music.
12. _____
Participating in a formal liturgy, developing symbols that I could place in my car, home, or office, and developing a Christian calendar for
my household to follow are activities that I would enjoy.
13. _____
I would really enjoy spending time on a night watch, taking a short vow of silence, simplifying my life.
14. _____
I connect with God best when I’m cooperating with him in standing up
for just causes, or attempting to influence decision makers about current societal issues.
15. _____
I grow weary of Christians who spend their time dressing up and
singing songs while a sick neighbour goes without a hot meal or a family in need doesn’t get help fixing their car.
16. _____
The words celebration and joy
are very appealing to me.
17. _____
I really enjoy having thirty minutes of
uninterrupted time a day to sit in quiet prayer.
18. _____
I spend more money on books than music.
19. _____
I would prefer to worship God by spending an hour beside a small brook than by participating in a group service.
20. _____
The words sensory, colourful, and
aromatic are very appealing to me.
21. _____
I would really enjoy developing a personal rule (or ritual) of prayer.
22. _____
I feel closest to God when I am alone and there is nothing to distract me from focusing on his presence.
23. _____
I get either frustrated or energized
if I see apathetic Christians who don’t become active. I want to drop everything else I’m doing and help the church overcome its apathy.
24. _____
The words service and compassion
are very appealing to me.
25. _____
I would enjoy attending a workshop on learning to worship through dance or attending long worship sessions with contemporary music. I expect that God is going to move in some unexpected way.
26. _____
When I think of God, I think of love, friendship, and adoration more than
anything else.
27. _____
I connect with God best when I learn something new about him that I didn’t understand before. My mind needs to be stimulated. It’s very important to me that I know exactly what I believe.
28. _____
If I could escape to a garden to pray on a cold day, walk through a park on a warm day, and take a trip by myself to the mountains on another day, I would be very happy.
29. _____
I would really enjoy using drawing exercise or art to improve my prayer life.
30. _____
I feel closest to God when I’m participating in a familiar form of worship that has memories dating back to my childhood. Rituals and traditions move me more
than anything else.
31. _____
I would describe my faith as
more “internal” than “external.”
32. _____
The words courageous, missional
and transformative are very appealing to me.
33. _____
I sense God’s power when I am listening to a friend who has lost a job, or spending time volunteering at a homeless shelter.
34. _____
When life is hard, I often find myself singing songs of praise.
35. _____
I would rather be alone with God, contemplating who he is, than
participating in organized worship
or being distracted by activity.
36. _____
I get frustrated when the church focuses too much on feelings and spiritual experience. Of far more importance is the need to understand the Christian faith and
have proper doctrine.
Final Results
Naturalist
(add 1,10,19,28) score ______
Sensate
(add 2, 11, 20, 29) score ______
Traditionalist
(add 3, 12, 21, 30) score ______
Ascetic
(add 4, 13, 22, 31) score ______
Activist
(add 5, 14, 23, 32) score ______
Caregiver
(add 6, 15, 24, 33) score ______
Enthusiast
(add 7, 16, 25, 34) score ______
Contemplative
(add 8, 17, 26, 35) score ______
Intellectual
(add 9, 18, 27, 36) score ______
Find someone who can say yes to each of the following facts. Fill in each line with a different group member’s name:
Find someone who...
Has a pet
Has brown eyes
Has been on a camping holiday
Hates this kind of icebreaker activity
Was born South of the Equator
Is an only child
Was born in a Summer month
Has sung in a public performance
Can speak another language fluently
Does not like chocolate
Can knit or crochet
Is left handed
Resource for Session 3: Spiritual Styles Questionnaire
Sacred Styles Questionnaire
Rate each statement on a scale of 1 to 5. 1 being the least true and 5 being the most true.
1. _____
I feel closest to God when I’m surrounded by what he has made
- the mountains, the forests, or the sea.
2. _____
I enjoy when the church service engages my sense of smell, taste or touch: Such as candles,
Communion, and greeting people.
3. _____
The words tradition and history
are very appealing to me.
4. _____
Taking an overnight retreat by myself at a monastery where I could spend large amounts of time alone in a small room, or praying to God,
are activities I would enjoy.
5. _____
I would like to awaken the church from its apathy.
6. _____
I feel closest to God when I see him in the needy, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. I feel God’s
presence most strongly when I am sitting quietly beside the bed of someone who is lonely or ill or taking a meal to someone in need. You can count on me to offer a ride or volunteer to help.
7. _____
God is an exciting God, and we should be excited about worshiping him.
8. _____
The words lover, intimacy, and
heart are very appealing to me.
9. _____
I feel close to God when I participate in several hours of uninterrupted study time – reading the Bible or good Christian books and then perhaps having an opportunity to teach (or participate in a discussion with) a small group.
10. _____
I feel cut off if I have to spend too much time indoors just listening to
speakers or singing songs. Nothing helps me connect with God better than being outside.
11. _____
I’d have a difficult time worshiping in a church building that is plain and
lacks a sense of awe or majesty. I have a difficult time worshiping through second-rate Christian art or music.
12. _____
Participating in a formal liturgy, developing symbols that I could place in my car, home, or office, and developing a Christian calendar for
my household to follow are activities that I would enjoy.
13. _____
I would really enjoy spending time on a night watch, taking a short vow of silence, simplifying my life.
14. _____
I connect with God best when I’m cooperating with him in standing up
for just causes, or attempting to influence decision makers about current societal issues.
15. _____
I grow weary of Christians who spend their time dressing up and
singing songs while a sick neighbour goes without a hot meal or a family in need doesn’t get help fixing their car.
16. _____
The words celebration and joy
are very appealing to me.
17. _____
I really enjoy having thirty minutes of
uninterrupted time a day to sit in quiet prayer.
18. _____
I spend more money on books than music.
19. _____
I would prefer to worship God by spending an hour beside a small brook than by participating in a group service.
20. _____
The words sensory, colourful, and
aromatic are very appealing to me.
21. _____
I would really enjoy developing a personal rule (or ritual) of prayer.
22. _____
I feel closest to God when I am alone and there is nothing to distract me from focusing on his presence.
23. _____
I get either frustrated or energized
if I see apathetic Christians who don’t become active. I want to drop everything else I’m doing and help the church overcome its apathy.
24. _____
The words service and compassion
are very appealing to me.
25. _____
I would enjoy attending a workshop on learning to worship through dance or attending long worship sessions with contemporary music. I expect that God is going to move in some unexpected way.
26. _____
When I think of God, I think of love, friendship, and adoration more than
anything else.
27. _____
I connect with God best when I learn something new about him that I didn’t understand before. My mind needs to be stimulated. It’s very important to me that I know exactly what I believe.
28. _____
If I could escape to a garden to pray on a cold day, walk through a park on a warm day, and take a trip by myself to the mountains on another day, I would be very happy.
29. _____
I would really enjoy using drawing exercise or art to improve my prayer life.
30. _____
I feel closest to God when I’m participating in a familiar form of worship that has memories dating back to my childhood. Rituals and traditions move me more
than anything else.
31. _____
I would describe my faith as
more “internal” than “external.”
32. _____
The words courageous, missional
and transformative are very appealing to me.
33. _____
I sense God’s power when I am listening to a friend who has lost a job, or spending time volunteering at a homeless shelter.
34. _____
When life is hard, I often find myself singing songs of praise.
35. _____
I would rather be alone with God, contemplating who he is, than
participating in organized worship
or being distracted by activity.
36. _____
I get frustrated when the church focuses too much on feelings and spiritual experience. Of far more importance is the need to understand the Christian faith and
have proper doctrine.
Final Results
Naturalist
(add 1,10,19,28) score ______
Sensate
(add 2, 11, 20, 29) score ______
Traditionalist
(add 3, 12, 21, 30) score ______
Ascetic
(add 4, 13, 22, 31) score ______
Activist
(add 5, 14, 23, 32) score ______
Caregiver
(add 6, 15, 24, 33) score ______
Enthusiast
(add 7, 16, 25, 34) score ______
Contemplative
(add 8, 17, 26, 35) score ______
Intellectual
(add 9, 18, 27, 36) score ______
Resource for Session 3: 4 Methods for Devotions
1. Daily Watchwords and Prayer
The most famous way to treat the Bible in the Moravian tradition is to subscribe to the ‘watchwords’. This tradition which began in the 1730’s continues to this day, and with the use of today’s technology, the ‘watchwords’ can be sent to your e-mail address at about midnight for the following day. Millions of people around the world have two verses of the Bible sent to them, with a prayer. It takes four minutes a day. You can subscribe for free at www.moravian.org
2. Reading through the whole bible and praying for people on your heart
It’s also important to read the whole Bible. If you go to the website above and subscribe to the daily watchwords, at the top of your e-mail you will be given two passages a day to read: if you read them both every day, you will cover the whole bible in two and a half years. Of course there are plenty of other Bible reading plans available; you can even buy a “365 day bible” that takes you through the Bible in a year. Or you could follow this scheme, largely starting from the beginning and end of the Bible and working towards the middle:
Month 1: Genesis and 3 John Month 19: Ezra, Colossians and Philippians
Month 2: 2 John and Exodus Month 20: Nehemiah and Ephesians
Month 3: Mark Month 21: Esther and Psalm 55-80
Month 4: Leviticus Month 22: Job and 1 Corinthians
Month 5: Psalms 1-30 and 1 John Month 23: Ecclesiastes and 2 Corinthians
Month 6: Numbers and 2 Peter Month 24: Psalms 81-105 and Malachi
Month 7: Matthew 1-14 and 1 Peter Month 25: Song of Solomon and Acts
Month 8: Deuteronomy Month 26: Isaiah and John 1-5
Month 9: Joshua and James Month 27: Jeremiah and John 6-10
Month 10: Judges and Hebrews Month 28: Lamentations, Psalms 106-117 and John 11-12
Month 11: Ruth, Titus and Philemon Month 29: Ezekiel and John 13-15
Month 12: Psalms 31-54 and Matthew 15-28 Month 30: Daniel and Zechariah
Month 13: 1 Samuel and 1 Timothy Month 31: Romans
Month 14: 2 Samuel and 2 Timothy Month 32: Hosea, Joel, Amos & Psalm 118-120
Month 15: 1 Kings and 1 Thessalonians Month 33: Proverbs 1-15 and Psalms 121-134
Month 16: 2 Kings and Luke 1-12 Month 34: Revelation
Month 17: 1 Chronicles and 2 Thessalonians Month 35: Proverbs 16-31 and Psalms 135-150
Month 18: 2 Chronicles and Luke 13-24 Month 36: Obadiah-Haggai and John 16-21
This will take three years.
As you read, thank God for the ‘big story’ of God’s plan for human beings and pray for the ‘big picture’ – God wants the whole world to know him and love him in justice and peace.
3. Meditation
Meditation means taking time to ‘chew over’ a short passage of the Bible. Here are two ways to do it:
- You could visualise the scene of a bible story – take time to see the background, the characters, and the action, to smell the setting, to feel the sun or wind, hear the sounds and words. Allow God to open the story for you in a new way.
- You could try ‘breathe, fill, be’.
The ‘breathe’ stage is all about preparing the body for prayer. Tense and relax every muscle in your body, and breathe deeply and regularly, from the bottom of your lungs.
The ‘fill’ stage is all about filling our minds with a biblical story or image. You might like to choose one verse or image that struck you in the Bible passage.
The ‘be’ stage is all about stopping – not praying, not worrying, not coming with an agenda – just stopping from everything else, just me being me in the presence of God being God. Hearing a ‘voice’ is highly uncommon. But being in the presence of God being God will make a difference to us, and we might well find our thinking unexpectedly clearer after this kind of prayer than it was before. There may be people that God calls you to pray for; he may even give you words to say to them or to your church in general. In this stage, our thoughts will almost certainly roam to and fro, and concentration will be hard; don’t get angry with yourself, just concentrate again on your breathing and re-fill your mind and have another go at stillness.
4. Frameworks for Prayer
Many Christians find it helpful to have a set order for prayer. Here are two common frameworks that many people use:
- ACTS refers to adoration (praise), confession, thanksgiving, supplication (asking for things).
- The Lord’s Prayer provides a structure. It’s in five parts, and some people use a finger for each. First, we adore God. Then, we ask for the big things – the coming of God’s kingdom. Third, we ask for the particular things we need for the day. Fourth, we confess our sins and forgive others. Fifth, we ask for God protection, praising him that he has conquered evil.
Others find it helpful to use a written framework (a liturgy that will also include daily Bible readings). Here are three that are easily available online:
From the evangelical tradition in the US, there is ‘Common Prayer, a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals.’ It’s available on apple and android as a free app – go to www.commonprayer.net for more information.
From the Church of England, there’s Daily Prayer, again available on a variety of platforms. Go to www.churchofengland.org
And from the Moravian church, dovetailing with the watchwords, go to www.dailyprayerformoravians.blogspot.co.uk
There’s no app, but you can subscribe and receive it by e-mail.
1. Daily Watchwords and Prayer
The most famous way to treat the Bible in the Moravian tradition is to subscribe to the ‘watchwords’. This tradition which began in the 1730’s continues to this day, and with the use of today’s technology, the ‘watchwords’ can be sent to your e-mail address at about midnight for the following day. Millions of people around the world have two verses of the Bible sent to them, with a prayer. It takes four minutes a day. You can subscribe for free at www.moravian.org
2. Reading through the whole bible and praying for people on your heart
It’s also important to read the whole Bible. If you go to the website above and subscribe to the daily watchwords, at the top of your e-mail you will be given two passages a day to read: if you read them both every day, you will cover the whole bible in two and a half years. Of course there are plenty of other Bible reading plans available; you can even buy a “365 day bible” that takes you through the Bible in a year. Or you could follow this scheme, largely starting from the beginning and end of the Bible and working towards the middle:
Month 1: Genesis and 3 John Month 19: Ezra, Colossians and Philippians
Month 2: 2 John and Exodus Month 20: Nehemiah and Ephesians
Month 3: Mark Month 21: Esther and Psalm 55-80
Month 4: Leviticus Month 22: Job and 1 Corinthians
Month 5: Psalms 1-30 and 1 John Month 23: Ecclesiastes and 2 Corinthians
Month 6: Numbers and 2 Peter Month 24: Psalms 81-105 and Malachi
Month 7: Matthew 1-14 and 1 Peter Month 25: Song of Solomon and Acts
Month 8: Deuteronomy Month 26: Isaiah and John 1-5
Month 9: Joshua and James Month 27: Jeremiah and John 6-10
Month 10: Judges and Hebrews Month 28: Lamentations, Psalms 106-117 and John 11-12
Month 11: Ruth, Titus and Philemon Month 29: Ezekiel and John 13-15
Month 12: Psalms 31-54 and Matthew 15-28 Month 30: Daniel and Zechariah
Month 13: 1 Samuel and 1 Timothy Month 31: Romans
Month 14: 2 Samuel and 2 Timothy Month 32: Hosea, Joel, Amos & Psalm 118-120
Month 15: 1 Kings and 1 Thessalonians Month 33: Proverbs 1-15 and Psalms 121-134
Month 16: 2 Kings and Luke 1-12 Month 34: Revelation
Month 17: 1 Chronicles and 2 Thessalonians Month 35: Proverbs 16-31 and Psalms 135-150
Month 18: 2 Chronicles and Luke 13-24 Month 36: Obadiah-Haggai and John 16-21
This will take three years.
As you read, thank God for the ‘big story’ of God’s plan for human beings and pray for the ‘big picture’ – God wants the whole world to know him and love him in justice and peace.
3. Meditation
Meditation means taking time to ‘chew over’ a short passage of the Bible. Here are two ways to do it:
- You could visualise the scene of a bible story – take time to see the background, the characters, and the action, to smell the setting, to feel the sun or wind, hear the sounds and words. Allow God to open the story for you in a new way.
- You could try ‘breathe, fill, be’.
The ‘breathe’ stage is all about preparing the body for prayer. Tense and relax every muscle in your body, and breathe deeply and regularly, from the bottom of your lungs.
The ‘fill’ stage is all about filling our minds with a biblical story or image. You might like to choose one verse or image that struck you in the Bible passage.
The ‘be’ stage is all about stopping – not praying, not worrying, not coming with an agenda – just stopping from everything else, just me being me in the presence of God being God. Hearing a ‘voice’ is highly uncommon. But being in the presence of God being God will make a difference to us, and we might well find our thinking unexpectedly clearer after this kind of prayer than it was before. There may be people that God calls you to pray for; he may even give you words to say to them or to your church in general. In this stage, our thoughts will almost certainly roam to and fro, and concentration will be hard; don’t get angry with yourself, just concentrate again on your breathing and re-fill your mind and have another go at stillness.
4. Frameworks for Prayer
Many Christians find it helpful to have a set order for prayer. Here are two common frameworks that many people use:
- ACTS refers to adoration (praise), confession, thanksgiving, supplication (asking for things).
- The Lord’s Prayer provides a structure. It’s in five parts, and some people use a finger for each. First, we adore God. Then, we ask for the big things – the coming of God’s kingdom. Third, we ask for the particular things we need for the day. Fourth, we confess our sins and forgive others. Fifth, we ask for God protection, praising him that he has conquered evil.
Others find it helpful to use a written framework (a liturgy that will also include daily Bible readings). Here are three that are easily available online:
From the evangelical tradition in the US, there is ‘Common Prayer, a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals.’ It’s available on apple and android as a free app – go to www.commonprayer.net for more information.
From the Church of England, there’s Daily Prayer, again available on a variety of platforms. Go to www.churchofengland.org
And from the Moravian church, dovetailing with the watchwords, go to www.dailyprayerformoravians.blogspot.co.uk
There’s no app, but you can subscribe and receive it by e-mail.
Resource for Session 3: John 6
John 6:1-14
(New International Version)
6: 1 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberius), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing those who were ill. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards him; he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’
10 Jesus said: ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.’
John 6:1-14
(New International Version)
6: 1 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberius), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing those who were ill. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards him; he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’
10 Jesus said: ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.’
Resource for Session 4: Stillness
A moment of stillness
Still yourself in God’s presence: breathe deeply; slow down
Seek God for a need or simply rest in His presence
Use a simple prayer “God, I just want to be with you.” “God I need your guidance.”
Use a short scripture to listen to God: read it slowly and deliberately
Notice the words or phrases that stand out and speak to your heart.
Be fully present: speak to Him directly about whatever you are thinking or feeling
Respond to what you hear God saying to you through scripture or in prayer.
Express gratitude and commitment
A moment of stillness
Still yourself in God’s presence: breathe deeply; slow down
Seek God for a need or simply rest in His presence
Use a simple prayer “God, I just want to be with you.” “God I need your guidance.”
Use a short scripture to listen to God: read it slowly and deliberately
Notice the words or phrases that stand out and speak to your heart.
Be fully present: speak to Him directly about whatever you are thinking or feeling
Respond to what you hear God saying to you through scripture or in prayer.
Express gratitude and commitment