Bring Humility #

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Ordinary Time
When to use: 1 February 2026
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Worship Tools #

Worship Outline #

Additional Scriptures

Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18–31; Matthew 5:1–12

Preparation

Provide each person with a copy of the Make Responsible Choices Challenge handout (see below) and something to write with either as they enter the worship space or during the Focus Moment.

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship Responsive Reading

Leader: Listen to the good news:

People: God’s blessing is with us

Leader: regardless of what is going on in our lives.

People: Rejoice and be glad.

Leader: Listen to what the Lord says:

ALL: Do justice.

Love kindness.

Walk humbly with our God.

—Based on Micah 6:1–8, Matthew 5:12

Hymn of Gathering

“What Does the Lord Require” CCS 300

OR “What Does the Lord Require of You?” CCS 580

Divide the participants into 3 groups, assigning a line from the song to each. Begin with the bottom part alone. After several repeats add the middle part. After several more repeats add the top part.

Invocation

Response

Focus Moment

Called to Make Responsible Choices

Scripture Reading

Micah 6:1-8

Reflection

Print or project the following questions for all to see. Allow time for congregants to respond to the following questions silently and then ask them as they are comfortable to share their reflections with the whole group.

What does the person who has God dwelling within their heart look like?

How can we live more in God’s presence and thus have more joyful and peaceful lives?

How can we make more responsible choices?

If we want to live joyful and peaceful lives, we must begin to respond in new and different ways. When someone does something or says something that is offensive but is not about us directly, such as something done to those we care about or support, we must trust that God loves them, too. God is in the situation. God knows the intent and the details. We rarely have all the facts to make a proper judgment, but God does.

The Enduring Principle, Responsible Choices shapes the message that God gives us the ability to make choices and hopes we will continue to choose to make good choices. When we do, we create better processes in the world, we have better friendships, and all of creation is healthier.

Discuss the Responsible Choices handout (below). Encourage congregants of all ages to chart good choices they can make to bring peace to the world around them. Set a date for everyone to have completed each item on the chart. In a worship service following the finish date, ask participants to share something that came from their Responsible Choices chart experience.

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle.

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:3

Prayer

Eternal God, we once made a choice to follow you. Today we choose again to follow you. May we courageously make choices that demonstrate our faithful desire to create peace in your name.

On those occasions when our choices are not in harmony with your will, forgive us for our lack of love, our impatience, our selfishness, our greed.

Open our hearts and minds to the possibilities for peace that arise from stewardship of creation, healthy relationships, and reverence for all that is holy and sacred.

You have chosen and called us as your people of peace. Grant us fortitude and faith to fulfill the vision of peace set before us. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Hymn of Response

“Lord, Make Us Instruments” CCS 364

OR “As God Is Joy” CCS 366

Homily

Based on Micah 6:1-8

Disciples’ Generous Response

Statement

Generosity Flows from Responsible Choices

Use these points from this Enduring Principle to develop a statement regarding stewardship as a responsible choice as the message of the Disciples’ Generous Response.

God gives humans the ability to make choices about whom or what they will serve. Some people experience conditions that diminish their ability to make choices.

Human choices contribute to good or evil in our lives and in the world.

Many aspects of creation need redemption because of irresponsible and sinful human choices.

We are called to make responsible choices within the circumstances of our lives that contribute to the purposes of God.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn of Confession

“Creator of Sunrises” CCS 207

OR “For Beauty of Meadows” CCS 142

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Message

Invitation to Communion

See the Invitation to Communion script.

Hymn of Preparation

“Coming Together for Wine and for Bread” CCS 516

OR “In the Singing” CCS 519

Communion Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:23–26

Blessing and Serving of Bread and Wine

Scripture of Remembrance and Promise

This shall you always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread, and blessed it, and gave it to you. And this shall you do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown to you. And it shall be a testimony to the Father, that you do always remember me. And if you do always remember me, you shall have my Spirit to be with you.

—3 Nephi 8:33–36, adapted

Pastoral Prayer

Hymn of Benediction

“Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” CCS 656

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Now Go in Joy” CCS 659

Congregational Sending Forth

Our God is a Source of blessings.

Our God is a Source of love and justice.

Our God is a Source of wisdom and truth.

We move out in mission through the Creator, Savior, and Source.

Go in peace.

Postlude

Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline #

Gathering

Welcome

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

O God of justice and mercy,

We pray in the name of your Son, the Prince of Peace, for all those souls who suffer from the terror of oppression and war. When we hear the daily news concerning the strife of people in Afghanistan, Mexico, Syria, Yemen, and other places throughout the world, we are deeply saddened by their suffering. In our finer moments we might grieve for our nameless brothers and sisters. We can’t imagine their pain and anguish.

But how much more grievous their burdens must be to you, their Creator and their God. They are your children, as are we, and we know you love each of them far more than we can comprehend. Their oppressors also are your children, and you love them, too. Our compassion for them is paled by your compassion for them. Our concern for them is diminished by limited knowledge of their plight and absorption with our own day-to-day trials and tribulations. Your concern is borne on full understanding of their external pain and the anguish in their hearts. You hear their prayers and find ways to bless them despite their turmoil.

O God, we would pray for a righteous peace in all those places. Help us to become your peacemakers, your hands and feet, to bring about conditions that overcome injustice and lead to peace. Help us to recognize the need for peacemaking in our own neighborhoods, workplaces, schools. Bless our good desires, purify them, and make them righteous that we might be your servants in building the kingdom. Amen.

—Jim Davis

Spiritual Practice

Walking in the Light

During Epiphany and the season after Epiphany our spiritual practice will be Walking in the Light. Take a few moments to quiet yourself. When you feel a sense of calm, imagine you are walking on a path of light. As we pray, visualize the light surrounding you as you walk. As the prayer continues, offer the gift of light to those close to you, to friends and acquaintances, to those you dislike or with whom you are in conflict, and to your community at-large.

Invite the people to enter silence, close their eyes, release into a sense of calm, and imagine walking on a path of light. As you hear each sentence, offer the gift of light to those mentioned.

May my loved ones be embraced in God’s light.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my family walk in the light of Christ.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my friend receive the gift of love and light.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my acquaintances sense the presence of light through our interactions.

Pause 15 seconds.

May the one with whom I am in conflict be surrounded by the light of Christ.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my community be blessed by the eternal light of God’s love and grace.

Pause 15 seconds.

Amen.

At the conclusion of the prayer invite people to share, as they feel comfortable, any thoughts, emotions, or images they experienced during Walking in the Light.

Sharing Around the Table

Micah 6:1–8 NRSVue

Hear what the Lord says:
    Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
    and let the hills hear your voice.
Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord,
    and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has a case against his people,
    and he will contend with Israel.

“O my people, what have I done to you?
    In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
    Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
    what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

“With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Today’s scripture is one of the most memorable and compelling from the Hebrew Bible. God calls on Israel to defend itself against serious accusations of wrongdoing. The word translated as controversy refers to legal action. God is both prosecutor and judge over the behavior and faithlessness of God’s people. God addresses the mountains and foundations of the Earth as if they were jurors in a court of law. In verse 3, Israel’s defense is that God has “wearied” them or led them to faithless behavior. There is no response because there is no fault against God. The fault lies with Israel.

There is no recitation of Israel’s wrongdoing. The hearers know what they have done. The purpose of God’s speech is not to focus on their sins, but to remind the people of God’s faithfulness.

God rescued the people from slavery in Egypt. God appointed leaders to guide them to the promised land. God was gracious even when the king of Moab hired a prophet to curse the Israelites. Over and over Israel deserved condemnation, but God responded with blessings instead.

God is in essence saying, “Remember! This is how I have acted toward you, to save you and redeem you, to bless you. You forget our covenant relationship, and I call you now to remembrance.”

The people answer in sorrow, describing the dilemma they face. Simple sacrifices are inadequate to bridge the gap between God’s holiness and the people’s sins. What rituals would ever be enough?

Then the voice of the prophet speaks a healing word. God requires nothing new, nothing the people haven’t already heard. Instead of ritual sacrifice and thoughtless worship, God requires acts of justice, mercy, and kindness toward others and deep humility toward God. Notice the order of these three ideas. Justice toward others comes first, followed by kindness. Compassionate, merciful human relationships are the most important. Only then can the people walk humbly with God in a covenant relationship.

Today we do not need ritual sacrifices to worship God. The challenge of bringing justice in the world, living in merciful relationships with others, and continuing lives of humility towers above any ritualistic demands of past or current ages. The scripture passage presents us with a call to live fully and faithfully in covenant with God as we bring healing and justice to others. It is the highest calling to which we can aspire, requiring us to sacrifice self-interests so we may bless and uplift others.

Questions

What societal demands and influences prevent you from being in authentic relationship with God and with others?
How do you sense the Spirit’s call to bring healing and justice to your community?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. The offering prayer for Epiphany is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Revealing God, May we always be generous. You have gifted each of us with boundless grace and unending love. May our response to that love and grace be humble service to others, and may generosity be part of our nature. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 300, “What Does the Lord Require”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

Let us celebrate the revelation of Christ in the world as we share Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation, let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings 527, “Bread of the World.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Materials: paper hearts (ensure there are enough for the whole group), washable markers

Say: “I would like visit with you about doing chores. Some children have chores like clearing the table or making their bed. Do you have any chores at home or at school?”

Ask children to talk about their chores; help small children respond (e.g., washing hands, putting away toys, handing out papers, sitting quietly at their desk).

Ask: What is the most important thing you are expected to do? Encourage and affirm responses.

Today we are talking about a scripture that identifies what God expects us to do. Do you have any idea what the important things are that God asks of us? Encourage and affirm responses.

Here are the things God asked of the people:

- To treat people fairly. How can you be fair? (e.g., share, take turns, help others).
- To act in kindness. What does it look like to be kind? (allow a moment for children to respond)
- To be humble. (to not think or act as if we are more important than others)

I have some paper hearts for each of us (hand out hearts and markers). On our hearts we can write, “I am kind,” or “I am fair,” or “I am humble.”

You can help an adult or ask someone to help you write on the heart.

This week try to live your heart message at home, at work, or at school. If you write, “I am kind,” remember to act kindly to others. If you write, “I am fair,” remember to share with others, to take turns, to be helpful. If you write, “I am humble,” try to treat people with respect. Remember that everyone is important, and everyone is loved by God.

Allow a few minutes for participants to write on their paper hearts. If there is time you may ask if children would like to share what they wrote and how they might do it in the coming week.

Close by offering a short prayer of thanks for the heart messages and the fairness, kindness, and humility of the children and adults.

Sermon Helps #

Exploring the Scripture

Today’s scripture passage is one of the most memorable and compelling from the Hebrew Bible. The passage begins with a pattern found in Isaiah 1, Hosea 4:1–6, and Jeremiah 2:4–13. God calls on Israel to defend itself against serious accusations of wrongdoing. The word translated as “controversy” (Micah 6:2) refers to legal action. God is both prosecutor and judge over the behavior and faithlessness of God’s people. God addresses the mountains and foundations of the earth as if they were jurors in a court of law. In verse 3, Israel has a chance to state how God has “wearied” them or led them to faithless behavior. There is no response because there is no fault against God. The fault lies with Israel.

In other passages like this, the opening indictment is followed by a list of the sins that Israel has committed. Here there is no recitation of Israel’s wrongdoing. The hearers know what they have done. The purpose of God’s speech is not to focus on their sins, but to remind the faithless people how faithful God has been in the past.

God rescued God’s people from slavery in Egypt and gave them freedom. God appointed excellent leaders to guide them to the promised land. When Balak, the king of Moab, hired a prophet to curse the Israelites, God gave the prophet Balaam words of blessing instead. God’s care continued at Gilgal, the stone circle the Israelites built before attacking Jericho (v. 5). Over and over, Israel has deserved condemnation, but God has given blessings instead.

God speaks of their history so the people of Israel may “know the saving acts of the Lord” (v. 5). God is, in essence, saying, “Remember! This is how I have acted toward you, to save you and redeem you, and bless you. You forget our covenant relationship, and I call you now to remembrance.”

The people answer in sorrowful tones, describing the dilemma they face. Simple sacrifices are inadequate to bridge the gap between God’s holiness and the people’s sins. What rituals would ever be enough? “Thousands of rams and ten thousands of rivers of oil” would not be enough (v. 7). Must God’s people resort to human sacrifice to appease God? The implied answer to the questions in verses 6–7 is a resounding, “No, no, no, no!”

Then the voice of the prophet speaks a healing word. God requires nothing new, nothing the people haven’t already heard. Instead of ritual sacrifice and thoughtless worship, God requires acts of justice, mercy and kindness toward others, and deep humility toward God. Notice the order in which these three ideas are listed. Justice toward others comes first, followed by kindness. Compassionate, merciful human relationships are the most important. Only then can the people walk humbly with God in a covenant relationship.

Perhaps it sounds simple. Today we do not need ritual sacrifices to worship God. But the challenge of bringing justice in the world, living in merciful relationships with others, and continuing lives of humility towers above any ritualistic demands of past or current ages. The scripture passage presents us with a call to live fully and faithfully in covenant with God as we bring about healing and justice for others. It is the highest calling to which we can aspire and requires us to sacrifice our self-interests so we may bless and uplift others.

Central Ideas

Although God’s people—including us—have been faithless, God remains faithful.
Over and over, God has acted to save and redeem humankind—to heal the gap between what ought to be and the reality that human beings have created.
God is not interested in empty ritual and thoughtless worship. God requires justice, an attitude of mercy, and kindness toward all people.
God calls us to live fully and faithfully in covenant relationship with one another and with God.

Questions for the Speaker

How would our congregations change if everyone who gathered was fully prepared to thoughtfully worship in a covenantal manner?
What kinds of societal demands and influences prevent us from being in righteous relationships with one another? With God? How can we change those negative influences?
What personal sacrifices are you prepared to make to improve your relationships within your family? Within your congregation? Within the community where you live?

Lessons #

Adult Lesson #

Focus Scripture Passage

Micah 6:1–8

Lesson Focus

We are first required to do justice and to love kindness, and then to walk humbly with our God.

Objectives

The learners will…

review Micah 6:1–8.
consider the three requirements spoken by the prophet.
apply the three requirements to mission.

Supplies

Bible
Paper or poster
Pens or pencils
Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Micah 6:1–8 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament, pp. 40–41, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Welcome the group. Then ask the class to discuss briefly this question: What memories do you have of the phrase “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Write the question on a board or posted paper, or project if possible.)

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Read the following as an introduction to the class:

The poetic setting of Micah 6:1–8 is a courtroom where God contends with the people of Israel in a covenant lawsuit. The mountains and hills are offered as symbolic mediators (vv. 1–2). Heaven and earth witnessed God’s covenant with the Israelites (Exodus 2:24). They also witnessed Israel’s sinful actions and God’s repeated saving grace (vv. 4–5). God is frustrated, “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me!” (v. 3). God offers a defense with several good acts done for the people. These include the exodus escape from slavery (v. 4, see Exodus 19:5), and the Balak-Balaam encounters (v. 5). Balaam stayed faithful to God’s guidance and blessed Israel just before the people entered the Promised Land (see Numbers 22–24). God reminds them of leaders he brought for them: I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (v. 4). Note that both men and a woman leader are recognized. The essential covenant between God and the people is one-sided (Genesis 6:8; 9:9; 15:18; 17:4; Exodus 2:24; 6:5, 7–8). God remains committed while the people forget to faithfully focus on God. God pleads for the people to remember their covenant relationship with God.

In small groups of 3–4 share your responses to these questions:

What would it feel like to have God prosecute us for our modern-day sins?
What blessings would God present as God’s argument toward you? How has God blessed you?

Continue by reading the following:

Then the people respond asking, “What does God want from us?” They run through a range of possibilities. These start with bowing before God and coming before God with burnt offerings such as a year-old calf. The people offer more extreme options, asking if thousands of rams or “ten thousands of rivers of oil” will please the Lord (v. 7). They finally ask if a sacrifice of a first born would atone for the peoples’ sins.

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Continue by reading the following:

The prophet Micah responds that it is not what people “do” or “what they bring.” Rather, what is important is “who they are” and “how they threat one another.”

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (v. 8)

God asks for three ways of living, each with a social dimension. First is “to do justice.” Amos 5:24 compares justice to a flowing, churning stream. Micah provides examples of unjust behaviors (2:1, 8–9; 3:1–3, 9–10, 11). Second, is “to love kindness.” The word “love” is rich with meaning. Hosea 2:19 describes love between spouses as “steadfast love.” The words of 1 Samuel 20:14 share the concept of love between friends as “loyal love” or “loyalty.” The challenge Micah offers is loving kindness. Third, is “to walk humbly with your God.” The word “humbly” (meaning carefully or wisely) is often emphasized. The text is actually calling us to “walk” with God.

Today God calls us to walk with Christ. Community of Christ’s mission statement calls us to these same actions. We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.

In small groups discuss and answer the following (or assign each topic to separate groups to allow more time for discussion):

Identify what “to do justice” means. Give specific examples relevant for your community. Where is justice-focused mission needed around your congregation? What can members do to make a difference?
Describe how “to love kindness” is a unique way of being. How can members express this love in ways that align with Christ’s mission?
Offer specific ways to “walk” humbly with God. Apply your ideas to mission.

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Have each group share one or two key ideas from their discussion.

Together identify at least one specific way to link congregational mission with the three ways of living.

How will the congregation “do justice” aligned with your mission and community needs?
Define how “to love kindness” can be more fully expressed in the mission life of the congregation.
Identify a way(s) to “walk humbly with God” with meaningful mission focus.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Close by singing or reading “When the Church of Jesus” CCS 358. This hymn calls us to live the three actions fully in Christ-focused mission.

Youth Lesson #

Focus Scripture Passage

Micah 6:1–8

Lesson Focus

God requires us to treat others with kindness and mercy, and to be advocates for justice.

Objectives

The learners will…

journey with the ancient Judean prophet Micah and his audience by exploring today’s scripture passage.
discern the question “What does the Lord require of me (us)?”
experience a finger labyrinth.
share words of affirmation with others.

Supplies

Bible
Community of Christ Sings (CCS)
Construction paper
Markers or colored pencils
Space for three worship stations (see the Respond section)
“Do Justice” strips, one for each classmate (end of lesson)
Finger Labyrinth handout, one for each classmate (end of lesson)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Micah 6:1–8 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: Old Testament, pp. 40–41, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Ask four volunteers to each read one stanza of “What Does the Lord Require” CCS 300 pausing after each stanza for a time of silent reflection.

Ask: What is this hymn challenging its hearers to do?

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Today’s Old Testament scripture text comes from the Book of Micah and is attributed to the eighth-century Judean minor prophet. Prophets of the Old Testament were often tasked with challenging jobs such as delivering warnings or calling out those in power to stop their injustice. Micah was tasked with both of those tasks. Today’s passage begins as a call for Israel to defend itself from its past mistakes and prepare for inevitable challenging times ahead. The verses end with a challenge of how Micah’s audience can bring hope and reconciliation to itself through kindness, mercy, and justice.

Read Micah 6:1–2.

The introduction to our passage sounds like a legal court case. Israel has broken its promise with God. God’s people have become faithless. Those in power have been greedy, unkind, and failed at guiding the masses. God has called upon the mountains and hills to be the jury; God has called on creation who has witnessed the past deeds of the people.

When did you make a mistake?
How did that mistake affect others? You?

Read Micah 6:3–5.

These verses describe the acts God provided for the Israelites. God liberated them from Egypt’s slavery giving them Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. God kept them safe from Shittim to Gilgal (most likely a reference of crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land). God also turned a curse, directed to Israel by Balaam from King Balak, into a blessing. God has been lovingly faithful to God’s people, but now they are faithless and unjust. Micah wanted the hearers to understand the amazing faithfulness of God to God’s people. Blessing after blessing was given; however, now their lack of faith has equated to struggle and hardship ahead. The people of Israel have taken advantage of God, and the goodness once delivered to them.

Who or what in your life have you taken for granted?
Why do you think you’ve taken that person or thing for granted?
What is its importance to you?

But there is hope. Read Micah 6:6–8.

These verses focus on what God asks in response to God’s past goodness, and how the people of Israel can move forward from their past. Several ancient examples are listed such as bowing to God, giving burnt offerings, animal offerings, oils, or even other humans (a reference to Isaac, Abraham’s firstborn). Micah offers an alternative to these responses: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

In reflection of today’s scripture passage and in preparation for today’s activity, ask: In relation to today’s scripture passage what does God ask of you (us)?

Do Justice
Love Kindness (be kind to others)
Walk humbly with God

What does the Lord Require Worship Stations

Note to Teacher

To prepare for this activity make sure you have space in your classroom or somewhere else in the building for three worship stations.

Station 1: “Do Justice” Statements

At this station have “Do Justice” strips for every class member. In the context of the scripture passage, doing justice is treating others with kindness, respect, and fairness. Have them list three ways they can “do justice” in their local communities. Some examples include standing up to a bully, sitting with someone new at lunch, working at a local shelter or food pantry, befriending someone new.

Station 2: Kindness Cards

Have construction paper and writing utensils on a table. Invite youth to think of a person they feel needs words of kindness, encouragement, or hope. Ask them to respond to the following questions or write other affirming statements:

Why is this person important to me?
What are this person’s gifts, talents, and positive characteristics?
What has this person taught me?

Station 3: Walking with God—the Finger Labyrinth

Post or read before breakouts:

What is a labyrinth? A labyrinth is an ancient symbol patterned from the sacred geometry of the natural world (spiral and circle). Though it is used in Christianity to depict pilgrimage and journey into God, its symbolism and meaning transcend religious and non-religious boundaries. The path in is the path out. The labyrinth is not a maze and is not intended to trick or confuse you. There is no “right” way to walk the labyrinth, though typically you start at the entrance, follow the path to the center, and then follow the same path out. The beauty of this symbol is how it can mean different things to different people. Diverse paths find expression on this unifying way. Allow the experience to be a metaphor for your life and discover what this ancient path means for you today.

Provide a finger labyrinth for each classmate. Have participants travel through the finger labyrinth, reflecting on their journey with God, using a finger.

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Have each student share about their kindness card and to whom they plan to give them.

Why did you write a kindness card to the person you chose?
What significance does that person play in your life? You in their life?
How has that person brought kindness to you?

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Read or sing “What Does the Lord Require of You” CCS 580.