PRAYER CLUSTERS

Small group prayer ministry 1 Corinthians 14:25-27

Pulelehua Quirk ETEC 442 June 23, 2005

Audience

• Adults active in ministry: – Prayer Leaders – Small Group Leaders– Youth Leaders– Sacred Arts Leaders

Objectives

• Leaders will Learn – Prayer Clusters Structure – Learn Circle Dances through the use of DVDs– Pray Out Loud– Encourage Time alone with God– Use Multimedia Stories– Share in dyads or small group– Popcorn Prayers

Objectives• A(Audience) Adult leaders• B (Behavior)

– Learn songs and dances through DVD– Use Keynote or Flash stories

• C (Condition) Lead an one hour session for a group of 3-9 people.

• D (Degree) At least once • Have fun

Introductory Activities

• Scripture• Discussion of Small Group Ministries• Prayer Cluster mini version• Songs and Dances on DVD• Multimedia Stories in Flash or Keynote• Email for PR & to communicate to group• Website to communicate

Instructional Activity

• Each leader takes a different role in the prayer cluster activity and practice leading that component. For example, dance, email, multimedia stories, website, popcorn prayer

• Group meets for several weeks until each one is comfortable in all roles.

• Leaders are given time to review resources provided.

• Review process with leaders

Closing Activity

• Leaders share what has happened in their ‘practice’ sessions.

• Leaders identify what works and doesn’t work for them

• Leaders discuss alternative techniques they want to implement

• Leaders compare new structures that may be used.

• Group prays for guidance as they go forward to lead their clusters

Follow-up Activity

• Gather leaders quarterly to share a leaders’ Prayer Cluster

• Summarize items from the Prayer Cluster BLOG where they share ideas, suggestions, problems and solutions

• Summarize in a FAQ information from Email or IM support for leaders

Lesson Assessment

• Use questionnaires to determine– Leaders

• resources the leaders are using • comfort level with technology

– Students• comfort level with technology• connection to small group

Technology Resources

• Internet access for retrieving stories, sending email reminders, Blogs, Website, locating resources

• Apple Computer, Speakers and Projector, Keynote

• Songs & Chants & Dances on DVD, print and music CD

Technology Standards NETS-T

• II-E plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment.

• III-D manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

• IV-A use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.

Career & Life Content Standards

• INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of how individuals grow and develop within the context of various community systems.

• Leaders and ‘students’ alike will examine their personal growth within the prayer community.

Sample Lesson

• Sample Lessons follow they include the use of– Audio files, – Flash and – Quicktime– Internet Resources

Introduction

Lead a Prayer Cluster that responds to this charge:

1 Corinthians 14:25-27 So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight.

Newspaper Article on Prayer Clusters

Why?

• Support– Small Communities– Prayer– Use of Arts– Use of Media

• Alternative to Traditional Worship

• Outreach

Teacher Resources

Use the internet to explore these topics here are some places to start:

Small Group Ministries– Inter-denominational– Tips– Publications

Dances

Stories

Instructional Activities

• Provide timeline and structure• Songs and Stories• Introduction to time with God• Touching Base• Sample Story• Sharing Guidelines• Description of Popcorn Prayers• Suggested Closing activity

Prayer Clusters Structure Keeping it to an hour

• Sing, Chant and Circle Dance (15 min.)

• Time Alone with God (12 min)

• Touching base, Mind, Body, Spirit (9 min.)

• Multimedia Stories (9 min)

• Sharing in dyads and small group (10)

• Popcorn prayers (5)

Lead Circle Dance• The songs are shared

through an oral tradition. Learn from a DVD for you.

• Example: A simple song with just one word

• Allahah is the Aramaic word for God translated means Sacred Unity

• Motions: Make a circle holding hands stand close together and circle to the right moving your arms in rowing motion.

Encouraging Time Alone with God

• Take time to just be with God. Silent meditation or LISTENING to what God has to say with you.

• After this time Sing the song Oh Lord hear our prayer to bring the group together for a prayer to lead us into the story.

Touching Base

• Standing in a circle each person takes a minute to give us a word or sentence that describes how they are feeling– Mind– Body– SpiritIt is important to keep it short, but if there isa

serious need be supportive after the session

Multimedia StoriesEXAMPLE: Praying Out Loud

Using computer and projector share story

www.mindshifts.com for more stories

Sharing in dyads or small group

• With more than 6 people it is good idea to divide into partners.

• The instructions for sharing. One person speaks other(s) listens,Do not comment on what each other speak from the heart. When you listen, Listen as Christ would. You are Christ for this person or group. In dyads after 3 minutes a bell rings and switch roles.

Popcorn Prayers

• Popcorn Prayers are an opportunity for people to pray out loud in an unstructured environment.

• Circle up holding hands. Start the group with an opening prayer and let the prayers come until there is a long pause, or time is up.

Closing

• Close with an ending circle

• Imaging there is a large basket in the middle of the circle, put all your prayers spoken and unspoken into the basket. Then as a group lift up the imaginary A basket and send it up to GOD, with a big SWISH.

Questions? Contact Pulelehua@mac.com