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August 29-September 5, 2007

Giving up birthdays

Warm-up Question:

What do you want for your birthday this year?

 

On Cole Hodges’ fifth birthday he wanted to make a difference. His best friend’s younger sister was diagnosed with cancer. Cole asked his mother if he could donate his birthday by asking if he could collect money from people instead of presents. That year he collected $121 for the cancer treatment. Ever since then, Cole has been donating his birthdays to different organizations. Last year he raised $326 for Tsunami Relief. This year he plans to donate his birthday to The Daily Planet, a place where homeless people in his community can come when they need help.

Cole and his mom have started a small non-profit organization called ‘Donate Your Birthday’. They hope to encourage other kids to donate their birthdays to local organizations. The Web site, www.donateyourbirthday.org, gives ideas for youth and adults to find organizations in their community. It also offers sample birthday invitations and stories of other youth who have taken the challenge. Donating a birthday or other celebration is a small way to sacrifice and give back to the community.

 

Discussion Questions

  1. How does it feel to be celebrated on your birthday?
  2. What would you have to sacrifice or give up to donate your birthday?
  3. How do you think those around you would react when they found out you were donating your birthday?
  4. Imagine that ten people in your church donated their birthday, what would be the community impact?
  5. Do you think this is something you might actually do? Why?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, September 2, 2007.
(Text links are to oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

Proverbs 25:6-7 or Sirach 10:12-18
Psalm 112 (4)
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
 

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection
In the gospel, we are reminded that we should choose humility in our lives. Those who chose to sit at the places of honor at the house of the Pharisee leader were told to start by taking the lowest place so that they can be honored. Jesus tells them to ‘humble themselves and they will be exalted.’ Often in the world we live in we see celebrities and role models doing the opposite. They exalt themselves. When something unfortunate comes their way, we jump in to see how they have been humbled. True examples of humility are difficult to find. In God’s kingdom, service and humility hold greater importance than status.

Christ pushes the Pharisees and those dining with him even further. He encourages them that when they give a lunch or a dinner to invite those who cannot repay them. When we make party invitations often we think of who has invited us to their parties or who might bring certain status or presents along with their presence. Everyone likes to be invited and most of us like being the center of attention.

Humility doesn’t mean that we should put ourselves down in front of others or not enjoy our accomplishments. It is not so we can manipulate others into getting our needs met. It means that the only measure we should use for our lives is Christ’s desire for our lives. In that we can only be humble. We need to realize our limitations and look for places that we can serve.

Discussion Questions

  1. What would it be like if you invited people outside of your social circle to your birthday party? (Even strangers.)
  2. Have you ever been ‘not invited’ to an event? What feelings do you associate with that situation?
  3. What reaction do you think the Pharisee leader whose home Jesus was in had to this parable? What about the people around the table?
  4. How can your church or youth group become a more inviting place? What are some ways that you can reach out to serve others?

Activity Suggestions

  • Have the group participate in a service project in your local area. Provide a banquet celebration at local homeless shelter or visit the hospital, nursing home, or group home for children.
     
  • Have youth plan a banquet or party. Make plans to donate the party. Give them invitations to fill out. As a group, answer the following questions:
  1. Who would you invite?
  2. Who would the guest of honor be?
  3. What should you serve?
  4. Where should it be held?
  5. Who or what would you donate the party to?


  Closing Prayer
Our lord and savior Jesus Christ, we honor your example of humility in our lives. Help us to recognize opportunities to serve others in our daily lives. Encourage us to live lives following your example, and to offer thanks and praise to you in all we do. In your holy name, we pray. Amen
 

Contributed by Angie Larson
Clive, IA
 

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.

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