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March 5-12, 2008

Turning point

Warm-up Question:

What resurrections or turning points have you had in your life?

 

Three young adults, Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole, set off from college in the United States on an adventure to Africa. Knowing that Africa was full of problems, the three college filmmakers decided it would be the perfect place to go find a subject for their idea of a world-changing documentary.

The boys embarked first upon their journey in Sudan. There, they found nothing that struck their interest, and quickly became very sick because of scabies and malaria. They feared all their money had been wasted and they were very close to giving up on their dream to make a documentary that would make a difference.

On the verge of devastation and completely giving up, the young men stumbled across a story in Northern Uganda. Thousands of children and youth, abandoned by their parents and sought by rebel armies, are on the move hiding and seeking shelter at various places in Uganda and across its borders. The children hide from rebel armies in Uganda that kidnap or torture them, often killing them. Armies and military groups also recruit the young children as ‘child soldiers.’ These kids are what the three young men named the ‘Invisible Children.’ (www.invisiblechildren.com/home)

The young men, revived and energized by their new story, interviewed children and city officials, and promptly made a documentary of the ordeal. The movie was such a great success, that groups of people have become dedicated to building a safe environment for these children. It has quickly turned into a movement, and two of the founders have since changed their lives and devoted their work towards these ‘Invisible Children.’

 

Discussion Questions

  1. What do you think of the story and work of these three young men?
  2. How do you think the family and friends of the boys’ reacted when they heard about the adventure they were going on?
  3. How do you think you would have reacted, as a friend or stranger?
  4. Do you think their story of new-found adventure relates to Lazarus’ resurrection? How?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, March 9, 2008.
(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 A at Lectionary Readings.)

Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130 (5)
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45

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

Gospel Reflection
In the Gospel of John, chapter 11, Jesus heard that Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, three people whom Jesus loved, was sick and dying. Jesus decided to stay an extra two days in the city. After Lazarus died, Jesus came to Lazarus’s sisters and comforted them. They took Jesus to Lazarus’s grave and Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” It was then, that Lazarus came out of his tomb, fully resurrected.

Can you imagine what Mary must have been thinking knowing that Christ was able to save her brother, but that he did not come immediately when she first sent word? And what she must have felt when her brother died. She knew Jesus was able to help sick people. Why was she not prevented from this loss? Jesus was her friend. It is easy to imagine that Mary believed that all hope was lost.

The story of the three boys who filmed the movie Invisible Children relates to this. The three young men, Jason, Bobby, and Laren all stayed in Africa to keep alive their search for a story needing to be told, despite sickness and overwhelming odds. They wondered if their travels to Africa were in vain and if their desire to make a difference would never happen. They feared their hopes and efforts were finished. But Jason, Bobby, and Laren were suddenly revived in their spirits and their passion to create a meaningful, helpful film when they met the ‘Invisible Children,’ and discovered first-hand the struggles of the children in Northern Uganda.

Now there is new hope and new life for many -- including the young filmmakers -- where there once was thought to be none. The telling of the story through the film Invisible Children and its related efforts are just part of it; the presence of our living God in the midst of what seems hopeless and dead is the other.

Discussion Questions

  1. What struggles have you had to overcome in your life?
  2. What do you do to overcome these obstacles? What are other ways people have overcome obstacles?
  3. Christ is the only one who can help you overcome these struggles that may seem impossible. Would you let him help you overcome your struggles? Who might he work through to bring you life, hope, forgiveness, or healing?

Activity Suggestions

Visit www.invisiblechildren.com, order a media kit, and watch the video with your youth group. Discuss as a group how you can impact and advocate for these ‘invisible children.’ Become part of the advocacy ministry of the ELCA. (www.elca.org/advocacy)

  Closing Prayer
Blessed Savior, we are grateful today. Thank you for helping us overcome the obstacles, and to get through the struggles we cannot get through ourselves. We are weak, vulnerable, and need you so desperately. You came into this world facing many struggles yourself. You are the one that can truly understand and help us through our pains. Thank you for helping us and taking on our struggles to be your own. You are the great problem solver! Help us so that with you and with the help of those around us, we are able to get through our adversities and disappointments. Give us the strength to heal and to listen to your guiding Word. In your name we pray. Amen
 

Contributed by A. J. Turner
A senior at Valley High School
West Des Moines, IA

and...

Angie Larson
Clive, IA

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministry. 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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