Sustaining Simplicity: Learning Activities

Introduction
Workshop, “Introducing the Journal”
Finding some other people
Talking together: starting a conversation group
Prizing the journal people
Starter Activity: Taking a gut check
Bible conversation guide: Why worship a block of wood?
Bible conversation guide: True wealth
Stimulating Bible references
Simplicity starter vocabulary
Conversation encouragers 1
Conversations encouragers 2
A sermon starter for a memorial service
Small group discussion guide: Hopelessly out of date
Small group discussion guide: Life in the slow lane
Small group discussion guide: Prayers for materialists
Youth program: What’s important, really?

Learning Activities

Simplicity starter vocabulary

Directions: Use these words and phrases as subject matter for prayers, small group sharing, poetry and letter-writing. Make concept maps by grouping words and phrases into “families”; find photos and advertisements that illustrate these words and phrases; build bulletin boards around these concepts. See where these words—and others like them—appear in the pages of Sustaining Simplicity.


Avarice Fear of death Information overload Poverty of spirit The way of the cross More Enough Hermit Death by slow degree Overweight One’s lot in life Giving and receiving Godly Grace Fear of running out Overkill Television programs Smell the flowers Forced simplicity Stewardship	Contentment Shopping addiction Giving away one’s life Joy in simplicity Brain’s pleasure center Sufficiency Celebrate Gratitude Materialism Unburdened Pay now or pay later Living with less Self-sacrifice Sinful nature Hoarding McMansions Fast food Toxic lifestyle Blessing	Displeasure Generosity Sense of entitlement The mind of Christ Peer pressure Ebullience Suffer Small and beautiful Over-extended Guilt Truth wins out Living with more Rewards God will provide Speed kills Living beyond one’s means Fast cars Voluntary simplicity Dying with the most toys Taste and see that the Lord is good