Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now (ICAN) Introduction My Faith and Advocacy The How-tos of Advocacy How to bring advocacy to my congregation Resources Miscellaneous Activities and Handouts

Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now

• Biblical Passages and Lutheran References
• Babies in the River
• Advocacy: A Bible Study
• The Two Feet of Christian Service
• Worship Space Notes
• Worship Space Activity
• Commissioning our Advocates
• My Faith and Advocacy

Advocacy: A Bible Study

Prepared for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania
By Kim Kemmerling, Kayko Dreidger, and Craig Staller (May 2000)

Materials needed: The leader of this Bible study will need the Bible Study Guide found at www.lamp.org and copies of the social statements of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America mentioned in the Resources for Advocacy (p. 17) section for the members of the class.

Participants as asked to bring their Bibles to each class.

Advocacy has a long history in the Jewish and Christian traditions, and finds its roots in the Bible. Throughout the Old Testament and continued in the New Testament, there are many guidelines on how one should advocate and on whose behalf. This Bible study will attempt to highlight several important Biblical passages in order to raise an awareness of advocacy and to encourage Christians to be voices for the marginalized in our society.

This study is designed for six sessions, with each session taking approximately 50 to 60 minutes. Participants in the Bible study are encouraged to read the Bible passages of the week to come and to reflect on them as they go throughout their week.

The leader is required to do some preparation prior to each session: survey the entire course prior to the first session, read the key verses for each week, and, if possible contact the local ELCA state public policy office or the ELCA Washington Office for additional background information. (See Resources for Advocacy, p.17) The leader may need to omit some portions of the sessions to fit the time constraints of the class. The leader is encouraged to maintain an awareness of current events and public policy issues influencing the lives of the members of the congregation and their neighbors in the community.

During their time together, the study group is encouraged to take advantage of several advocacy activities that take place throughout their city. The best way to learn about advocacy is to do it. It is hoped that, by the end of the Bible study, the group will be able to incorporate aspects of this study into their personal daily lives. Advocacy will be a witness, a way of living the faith.

Following the sixth week, a Sunday morning service could be dedicated to the ministry of advocacy so that the entire congregation can become more informed and involved in this life-long vocation. The leader and participants in the study will need to coordinate incorporating this rite with the Worship and Music Committee of the congregation.

To locate the complete Bible study go to www.lamp.org and click on Advocacy Bible Study.