Learning Activities
Workshop, “Introducing the Journal”
This short workshop design will help you familiarize a group with the basic content, intent and utility of Sustaining Simplicity. The activities and goals of this workshop fit well within a one-hour format, and can be lengthened by extending time for each activity, particularly moments of sharing among participants. An optional activity is included for leaders who might be using the journal in small groups.
Audience
General congregational audience, stewardship leaders, young adults
Outcomes
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Name three important features of the journal, three important benefits or three entries especially valuable to them.
- Gather others into groups for discussion, sharing and action regarding this book.
- Select useful group sharing/learning activities from the online Leader Guide.
- Continue meaningful personal reading of the book.
Materials Needed
- Copies of the journal, Sustaining Simplicity, one per participant
- Photocopies of three entries of the journal, one set of entries per participant (optional)
- Laptop or other computer with Internet access (optional)
- LCD project and screen (optional)
- Photocopied sections of the online Leader Guide, one set per participant (optional)
- Copies of the handout, “Alley Treasures,” one per participant
- Bible
Preparation
- Familiarize yourself with all workshop materials, including the progression of activities in this design.
- Read Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal.
- Familiarize yourself with the Web site, www.elca.org/hunger/simple
- If you choose this option, set up and test the operation of the laptop and LCD projector.
- Photocopy both sides of the handout, “Alley Treasures.” (Print this pdf)
Schedule
|
(10 minutes) |
|
(15 minutes) |
|
(25 minutes) |
|
(10 minutes) |
|
(30 minutes) |
| |
|
Total |
(60 minutes) |
Activities
As participants arrive, greet each person warmly, giving each one a copy of the double-sided handout, “Alley Treasures.”
 |
|
| What Brought You Here? |
(10 minutes) |
Begin with a short prayer, asking for the Spirit’s wisdom and courage during this time together. Ask participants to introduce themselves to each other by name and with a short answer to the question, “Why’d you come to this workshop (this event)?” You might also use a parallel question, “What do you hope you’ll get from this time together?” Back to Schedule >
|
|
| About Simplicity |
(15 minutes) |
During this activity participants sharpen each other’s perceptions about the philosophy, spirituality and practice of simple living. Begin the process with about three to five minutes of your personal observations about the nature and impact of simple living in your life. Definitions might be helpful, but your personal witness is even more important. Keep it short.
Ask participants to turn to one other person and to answer any of these questions in a conversation:
- What compels you to want to live simply?
- What does simple living have to do with your faith life?
- How does simplicity connect to life values that you hold dear?
- How long have you been thinking about (living) simplicity?
While participants are talking, distribute copies of Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal, one copy per participant. (Option: Distribute copies of selected entries you have photocopied for this workshop.) Back to Schedule >
|
|
| Exploring and Using the Book |
(25 minutes) |
Refer participants to the handout, “Alley Treasures,” giving them about five minutes to peruse its contents. While participants read, review the comments you will make about its contents. After a few moments, offer your brief observations about these matters:
- Each of us has “alleys” in our lives, the surprising places where God gives us abundance that might not always be obvious.
- The journal, Sustaining Simplicity, might be one of those quiet, back-of-the-yard places where God give you new and delightful “treasures” to be picked up, examined and put to use.
- Sometimes these treasures are tangible—a new friend, a new attitude, a new idea—and other times not easily named—emotions, an inkling, a nagging question, an invitation not yet acted on. This book offers both kinds of gifts.
Divide the large group into groups of three or four participants in each group. Direct individuals within each group to page through the book, looking for an entry that they’d like to share with others. After a few moments, direct participants to begin sharing what they’ve discovered, with these two prompts:
- Describe the “treasure” or gift that you found in the reading.
- Tell how you might use this gift, individually or with others.
Provide about ten minutes for this activity.
(Option: Participants read and share their thoughts about the set of three entries you have chosen and photocopied.)
When the ten minutes has elapsed, draw the group back together, asking for participants’ reactions to any of these questions:
- What did you read that encouraged you?
- What ideas or thoughts are similar to those you’ve considered in your own life?
- What personal questions would you like to ask the author?
- What did you notice about yourself as you were reading or listening to others?
- What would you like to do next, when you return home?
Back to Schedule >
|
|
| Final Thoughts |
(10 minutes) |
You have a few minutes remaining to draw together the experience and share in a devotional time together. Use about five minutes to encourage participants to take action on what they have read. The handout, “Alley Treasures”, includes some ideas—including the URL for the ELCA Hunger Program Web page that complements the journal—for personal and group activities. (These include in-depth readings and helps for specific congregational activities.)
If time is still available, ask participants to share any of their personal thoughts—including personal epiphanies, hopes, counsel or emotions—that would be useful for others.
Close with the reading of Jesus’ words about worry, in Luke 12:22-34, and a brief prayer thanking God for all blessings.
Dismiss participants with your thanks, as well as your encouragement to use this resource well, individually or with others. Back to Schedule >
|
|
| Optional Activity for Leaders |
(30 minutes) |
The following additional activity can be used if this event is intended to equip small group leaders for using Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal in their congregational roles. Beforehand, set up a laptop computer, LCD projector and screen so that you can project the online Leader Guide for the journal. Connect to the Web address: www.elca.org/hunger/simple, (link to that Web page on the ELCA site)and click on the navigation button, Leader Guide. (Option: Distribute copies of Leader Guide entries that you have downloaded and photocopied.)
Direct participants to a few entries you have chosen in the Leader Guide (or the entries you have photocopied), asking them to observe and read the annotations for leaders. After about five minutes of exploring the Web site (or handout), note the following:
- Each journal entry in the book includes several possible annotations for small group use, including discussion, personal reflection and sharing, Bible conversation, prayer or individual/group activity.
- Leader Guide items reach deeper than “talking about the topic,” and encourage the interpersonal sharing that is necessary for individuals and families to make specific changes in their attitudes and behaviors.
- Without this encouragement, “simple living” can remain yet another good idea that never gathers enough courage or motivation in order to facilitate changed behaviors.
After about five minutes of your observations, direct participants to choose one entry and to decide which of the annotations they might use in the small group (or class) that they facilitate.
Provide about ten minutes for participants to share their choices (and the reasons for the choices) with one other person. When time has elapsed for this activity, use the remaining time for a large group discussion of any of these questions:
- What kinds of annotations will be most useful in the group(s) you lead?
- How might the Leader Guide annotations take your group in a new direction?
- What in the Leader Guide is most hopeful, most surprising, most unusual?
- In what other directions or activities would you engage your group?
When the full thirty minutes has come to an end, dismiss participants with your thanks and encouragement for their roles as small group leaders. Back to Schedule >
|
