Lesson 1/Preparing to Lead
Before you gather, invite participants to bring to your meeting “something” (a story, hymn, work of art, poem, etc.) that is their “portrait of Jesus”. Your time together might begin with each participant talking briefly about how they see Jesus. If you choose to do the “Starter” activity, you may also want to research films about Jesus.
Christ and Candle
A prayer is provided for the beginning of each lesson. You may have – or start – the tradition of lighting a Christ candle at the beginning of your meeting. Near the Christ candle, you might place something that speaks to the theme of each gathering's lesson. For this lesson, invite participants who brought an object to place it near the Christ candle. Taking a photo of each month's candle arrangement will provide a record of the objects that have helped answer the question “Who is Jesus?”
Lesson 2/Christ and Candle
Around the Christ candle you might place items that have to do with teaching. A second option is to use the things that Jesus said the kingdom of Heaven was like: mustard seeds, yeast, wheat, etc.
Carpenter's tools might be placed around the Christ candle for this lesson. They symbolize how Jesus' first audience in the synagogue knew him – as the son of Joseph the carpenter. But they also symbolize his rejection. Jesus' first audience rejected him and then at the end of his life, those carpentry tools would be used to craft a cross to which Jesus was nailed.
Lesson 4/Christ and Candle
Items like eyeglasses, a glass or pitcher of water, bread (not Communion bread, just interesting kinds of bread) or cups (again, not Communion glasses but ordinary drinking cups) are all things that can be looked at with “regular” eyes and with symbolic eyes.
What else would be appropriate but crosses – all kinds, textures, all materials. You may have invited participants to bring or wear crosses to your gathering. At the appropriate point in the lesson you might invite participants to share the meaning of their crosses.
Lesson 6/Christ and Candle
Around the Christ candle you might place items to do with preparing and writing sermons. Alternatively, you might want cheerleader items like pom poms or even a carrot on a stick. You might use motivational items – stickers and ribbons – like those used by teachers to encourage students.
Around the Christ candle for this lesson, it would be appropriate to put books about Jesus that are not the Bible or perhaps picture frames – empty ones and ones with an image of Jesus – to remind us of the many portraits of Jesus that have been written.
Lesson 8/Christ and Candle
For
this lesson, perhaps it is better that we bring our prayers to the
Christ candle rather than bringing objects. A map of Jerusalem might
serve as a “tablecloth” reminding us of the Psalmist's
instruction to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6)
Certainly all three faiths are found beyond Jerusalem and the Middle
East, but Jerusalem can serve as a focal point.
If members brought
their “portraits of Jesus” from lesson one, place them around the Christ candle.
New objects might include different breads or a mixed bouquet of flowers
emphasizing the varieties of bread and flowers, just as there are many answers
to the question “Who is Jesus?”
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