Homeless Moving Parts NOTE: In the last 7 years we have done this lesson twice and both times we could have spent an hour making stuff out of cardboard. The most recent time, we kept things moving along because of the promise of a Homeless Lock-in at the end of the week where we could spend more time making things out of cardboard. Gather for this lesson: Lots o cardboard, string, and duct tape   It's Your Move Work Zone and High Way Eat, make announcements - Spring break schedule, Homeless lock-in, Choir but no UMYF next Sunday, introduce the session: Loose the Shoes Needed: Lots o cardboard, string, and tape Ask everyone to sit and listen. Say: "Jesus replied, 'I will ask you one question' " (Mark 11:29).  When Jesus wanted to capture someone's attention, he asked a great question. His questions were so good; we've never stopped wrestling with them. A good question can spark a lifelong quest. The question I have chosen tonight is not nearly as great as one from Jesus, but I hope it will help build your faith. Have your ever wondered what it would be like to be homeless? Tonight we are going to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. No, we're not going to trade shoes with each other, but I am going to ask you to take off your shoes. (Not yet! Wait till I tell you!) You may leave your socks on if you have them. Leave the shoes next to the wall on the floor. (Not yet!) Next we will be making shoes out of cardboard. You may use duct tape and string if needed. You may not make shoes out of duct tape or string. (I can't believe I have to say that!) You'll need to make them strong enough to last at least 10 minutes. You may also try to wear them for the entire hour.   Break into small groups  After everyone has made shoes, break into groups of 6-8, however the youth want and gather around a sponsor for further instruction.   Which Way Are You Moving? Work Zone and High Way (Small Groups) Give Me Shelter Say: Let's see, you just ate so that's - food. We just made shoes, so that's - clothing. What other basic necessity do you need - shelter? Your first order of business is to make a shelter. It must be a big shelter. There needs to be enough room for everyone in your group to be inside, using only cardboard and tape. Let the building begin! After the structures have been built, have the youth get in and try to remain silent for one minute. Ask them to think about the homeless people they have seen.   Moving In  Work Zone & High Way (Remain in small groups) What if God Was One of Us?  Remain near or in the shelters, just as long as everyone can see. ASK: * What are some of the reasons people are homeless?  * If you really were homeless, would you believe in God? * How is pretending to be Homeless teaching us anything? * When people reject God, God could simply change their hearts. Why doesn't He?   Moving On Work Zone & High Way (Remain in small groups) God, gods, No God, Whatever Say: Here's something to think about. Everyone assumes one of four positions about the existence of God. I. THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE A GOD. This is the view of the agnostic. II. THERE IS NO GOD. The atheist assumes this position. III. THERE ARE MANY GODS. This is the opinion of the polytheist. IV. THERE IS ONE GOD. The Bible is uncompromising. "There is one God." The last one is where there's conflict. It's easier to just say the Bible is make-believe and therefore, "God exist only as I want." It's hard to be a Christian! It takes faith and understanding. Understand that the Bible was written for all time and it needs to cover such a span of time and the scriptures need to be written in such a way as to apply to your here and now. But, you need to faith as a motivator to discover its truth. Yes, it's that "work" thing again. ASK: * Does it matter whether a nation believes in God or not?  * How does their belief affect the laws of that country? * How does our belief affect what we do personally? * Do you believe that we can know a person's belief by looking at their check stubs? * What do you "adore"? What would you call "divine"? * What comes first in your life? Is it possible that you might have let something slip into God's place in your priorities?   Moving Up Work Zone & High Way (Remain in small groups)  3,000 Sermons Say: The Bible affirms the existence of God. It also tells us what He wants us to do. His chief desire is that we love Him even more than we love the good things that God gives and does for us. We must acknowledge Him as Lord, the only true God. To love the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind is to have "no other gods before" God. What motivation would a homeless person have to believe in God? They seem to have nothing to show for their lives. It's so hard to get even the average American to believe in God. They have the basics - food, clothing and shelter yet it's not enough. The following example comes from someone who had been going to church as over heard in the local hardware store, "I've gone to church for 30 years now, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all." ASK: * How many homeless people have you seen in church? * If you were homeless would you go to church? * Is your personal well being more important than your spiritual connections? * Do you need shelter more than you need the Church? * Why do you think the person who has gone to church for 30 years can't remember a single sermon? * Is the point of going to church to remember sermons and bible verses? * What do you get out of going to church? (Don't except "nothing". Dig for something positive, i.e. fellowship, time to organize my thoughts, making my parents happy, etc.) Say: An old farmer stepped up and said, "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals for me. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.  I can barely remember what we had for breakfast. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead." The old farmer new that faith was the first step, the first thing that needed to happen, even before he sat down for breakfast that morning; even before he put on his boots; even before he woke from his bed in the home he had lived in since his childhood. Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, receives the unworthy and keeps God first in your life!   Moving Out Work Zone & High Way (Remain in small groups)  One Question Say: "Jesus replied, 'I will ask you one question' " (Mark 11:29).  Remember, when Jesus wanted to capture someone's attention, he'd ask a great question. Tonight we asked a lot of questions, discussed a lot of possibilities and came up with no group conclusion. Jesus questions are lifelong quests. They can't be answered in one setting. Faith must take hold and keep us moving, ever following our shepherd. I know. I know. If we are sheep, then why does the Bible tell us we also need to be shepherds? That's the beauty of the Scriptures. In order to understand, you need to believe literally and also be able to think figuratively. Use your faith and simply understand both roles in your life and not see them as either or.       ASK: * What is the difference between having hope and having unrealistic expectations? * Does God have influence in the lives of those who don't believe in him? Why or why not? * If Jesus walked among us today, how would he help the homeless? * Do you think there were homeless people when Jesus walked the Earth? Explain. * How do you balance humility and success?  * What is the main purpose of being a Christian? * If a homeless person died without knowing God, would they go to hell? * Why live for Jesus as a teenager when you could accept his salvation later on and still go to heaven? * What does it mean to be open-minded? Are there limits? Explain. * What causes your relationship with God to go stale?   Return to the Family Life Center   Closing Work Zone & High Way   Gather in a big circle.  Say: Please stay around after we close and help me take the cardboard downstairs. We'll need it for the "Homeless" Lock-in we'll be having next Friday. "Jesus replied, 'I will ask you one question' " (Mark 11:29).  Remember, when Jesus wanted to capture someone's attention, he'd ask a great question. Tonight we asked a lot of questions, discussed a lot of possibilities and came up with no group conclusion. Jesus questions are lifelong quests. They can't be answered in one setting. Faith must take hold and keep us moving, ever following our Shepherd. I have one last question for you tonight. It's your move. Which Way are you moving?   Please bow your heads and join me in singing "Sanctuary"   When you're finished: Join hands, right over left, and say the UMYF benediction.