This would probably be more suitable for the first lesson, but then again this isn’t meant for the kids.

Just a reminder of what we’re looking for:

Midway upon the journey of our life

I found myself within a forest dark,

For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

Ah me! How hard a thing it is to say

What was this forest savage, rough, and stern,

Which in the very thought renews the fear.

So bitter is it, death is little more;

But of the good to treat, which there I found,

Speak will I of the other things I saw there.

I cannot well repeat how there I entered,

So full was I of slumber at the moment

In which I had abandoned the true way.

• From “The divine comedy of Dante Alighieri”, Canto I

Being lost in the woods, awaiting death, such is the sad reality of losing one’s purpose, losing all reason to live. Though the purpose in which Dante finds is more of fantasy than reality, there are many emotions I can relate with, and some emotions that I have seek to avoid.

The divine comedy is a poem depicting the tale of a man dreaming of entering hell to save a loved one and an opinion on the structure of hell. You guys can probably expect quotes from his poem in my lessons. Don’t worry though, as much as I will be true to myself, I will be true to the word. There will be no twisting it into my own dark fantasy.

Anyway, on with the lesson (Start printing from here)

Decided to write two endings, feel free to slap me in the face on Sunday haha

Well obviously, we have to start from the beginning.

Go over the parable of the Good Samaritan one more time.

Just go over it briefly, in appropriate detail. I really hope that no one has to start from here, but it is certainly unavoidable. If you want, clarify with them what the oil and wine is for. The oil and wine in this case most likely represented a gift from the Holy Spirit, or telling us to share our gifts (since Jesus is talking and wants to slip in a little hidden message). As little as possible, try to go over which one they can relate to most and share (If possible) experiences where you have met the truly needy, and how you had and could have reacted.

In many ways they have been chided about feeling remorse for the less fortunate, through their parents and also through public education. Not saying that it is inappropriate to monger pity here but it isn’t always effective, and move on if the response is poor.

If we’re getting rid of the video, go through the blanks as well.

(Start with either 2a or 2α, depending on your preference)

Part 2a

Definitions

Defining service for God:

Firstly, we should take a look at the meaning of the word service, which is “work done that benefits another”. So service for God is basically work done that benefits God.

Part 2α

Why?

Reasons for serving God:

Now, we get them to turn their bibles open, back to good old Romans 12, where we learnt about being a living sacrifice. This time, get them to read verses 3 to 8. From the verses, the main reason we serve is because god has already equipped us with talents which can be used for serving God, which is how we can repay him.

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From here on out, the main idea is to be discussing about how we can bring benefit to God. Obviously there are several ways to go about it, but it would be easier on us to build it around the structure that Pastor Rick Warren has already established.

First method: Follow the Book using verses provided

Firstly, we have to See or identify those in need

Motive

Try to get them to think about how they can help physically rather than financially. Help them to remember and realize that it is not the effort or satisfaction that counts, it is glory that counts. (WHAT!!)

By that I mean glory to God obviously. Focus on groups that can be helped, and ways which help is not temporal but in ways that last.

Lastly, are there ways to help those that can’t be reached by our actions? Remind them that God’s power is always there, and we can always ask for his help.

PAIN

How can we relate to pain? Honestly, I did not have any idea how to get them to feel other’s pain other than the obvious methods. The book was not much help either. Then it got me thinking, should we be identifying those we can sympathize with?

In my opinion, we can never exactly feel how someone else is feeling and the truth is God definitely can. We should try to get as close as possible while relying on God. Start by asking them how this can be achieved. Spending some time with those in need? Live as a pauper? Once you’re done, remind them about where God is, and how he can help us by guiding us.

Opportunity

The whole seizing the moment thing according to Rick Warren seems pretty inappropriate in public, especially in Singapore with all the scams going around. Put it this way, it is about being a good example of a Christian, similar to the Samaritan Jesus had described in his parable. Remind them that seizing opportunities also means making effective plans, or signing up for church initiated programs. It is about maximizing time and maximizing his glory.

Thy soul is hurt by cowardice, which oftentimes encumbereth a man so that it turns him back from honorable enterprise.

­- From “The divine comedy of Dante Alighieri”, Canto II

Execution

Read Romans 12:6-8 again. If it is about doing your best, how can you reach your best? The simple yet hard to put into practice answer is to undergo training and education. Ask them how they can train and educate themselves. The basic idea would be to reach a level where you are able to help others with their needs.

O creatures foolish, how great is that ignorance that harms you!

- From “The divine comedy of Dante Alighieri”, Canto VII

Starting small

If your group is large, split up into smaller groups and ask them what talents they have or think they have, and ask them where their talents could be used to serve the church. Pray together and ask God to let their talents flourish or identify their talents and pray that he would use it in the church when it is time. Alternatively, ask them to pray it for themselves if they are willing and not doing it half-heartedly.

Alternative method:

Planning a community outreach project!

CONGRAJULATIONS for reading this far cause if I were really busy I would’ve stopped at the previous passage and went with it. This section is for those who are daring! Whose students paid some attention during the video and also for those who want something different for a large group of students and access to a whiteboard to write everything down!

If you can’t think of anything, you could always use the board game event as an example

Identify

Identify a group of people around the Commonwealth area (old folks, run down blocks, etc) who could use your help. Try to steer them away from fundraising by reminding them the main objective of an outreach event, and that interaction with potential believers is necessary.

PAIN

This would be a little easier than the one I wrote earlier. To sympathize, you need to know more about the people who you are trying to help. It definitely is out of almost everyone’s comfort zones to go around knocking on everyone’s door and checking up, but it will be helpful. Try to lead them in this direction by questioning whether they can sympathize as well with people who are strangers.

Opportunity

Remind them that seizing the moment is important and you need to choose your occasions where people would be more open and friendly towards you, and when people will more likely attend your event. It also involves helping out whenever possible, which can be applied in house visits or dinner events.

Execution

Assess the skills needed in your community outreach event. Do you need to learn some basic dialects? Maybe learn a simple musical instrument to draw the crowds? Remind them that they need to be the best they can be in their efforts.

Closing

This refers to closing if you choose this method yea. To close, it is really up to you. Try to pray about how god can use us in an outreach project in the future, or that we can participate in a church event in the future.

Clarence