Spice Up Learning With Adult Elective Events
ADULT STUDY
Building Materials for Life
Help your adults discover wisdom and insight into Christian characteristics through a study written by the founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International, Millard Fuller. Drawing on a wealth of experiences and encounters, Fuller helps adults grapple with elements of Christian character that affect who we are and how we treat others. His story can inspire adults to build up their own faith and lives.
Fuller's business expertise and entrepreneurial drive made him a millionaire by age 29. Then, after a rededication of his life to family and to following God's path, Fuller and his wife, Linda, decided to sell their possessions and give the money to the poor. Following missions work in Africa, the Fullers founded Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia. Fuller has written seven books about his work with Habitat for Humanity and has received numerous achievement awards and more than 40 honorary doctorate degrees for his outstanding leadership toward meeting the goal of eliminating poverty housing worldwide.
For this study, Fuller has organized 40 essays into five categories. A study guide with creative teaching plans is available.
Five-week plan:
• Week 1 – Fundamentals
• Week 2 – Faith
• Week 3 – Challenges
• Week 4 – Life Lessons
• Week 5 – Gifts
 Resources available:
The book, Building Materials for Life, Volume 1, by Millard Fuller, is available for purchase at:
http://www.helwys.com/books/fuller1.html
or by calling 800-747-3016 (quantity discounts are available). A leader’s guide for small group leaders is also available.
Tips:
• Feel free to follow the author’s lead, and use building materials to help promote the study. Announce the series dressed as a carpenter, complete with a power tool or two. Consider setting up a display of various building materials (being mindful of small children) with a sign placed nearby to announce the study.
• A newsletter article might read:
Construction Zone!
Gain skills in building Christian character through a practical study opportunity. Discover building materials for your life by joining us for a special study (provide place, time, and leader name). No special tools needed!
• Make books available in advance, and encourage participants to read the chosen chapters before each meeting. Most of the chapters are brief and easy to read. Having read the chapters before a meeting will make discussions more interesting and productive.
ADULT STUDY
Koinonia & Clarence Jordan
“Koinonia Partners had its beginning in the heart and mind of Clarence Jordan. In 1942 Jordan, his wife, and a missionary couple started the experiment near Americus, Georgia. It was called “Koinonia Farm.” Its purpose was twofold: to build a racially inclusive community in which 1) Christians would live in radical obedience to Christ; and 2) those in fellowship would help local farmers, especially the poor.”
“During the 1950’s Clarence’s dream turned into a nightmare. He and his family were excommunicated from a Baptist church. Members of the KKK sought to drive him out of Sumter County, Georgia. Koinonia Farm was boycotted, a roadside stand was bombed, and Clarence’s home was riddled with bullets. By 1968 survival seemed to be in doubt.”
“Then Millard Fuller, a brilliant young businessman, entered the picture. Together, Millard and Clarence launched a new program and Koinonia Farm became Koinonia Partners. Today, the experiment continues to flourish.”
—Henlee Barnette
Clarence Jordan not only played an influential role inspiring Millard Fuller (who later founded Habitat for Humanity), but also wrote “The Cotton Patch Gospel,” a four-volume translation of scripture into Southern-style English.
This brief study helps new generations of adults hear the message of Clarence Jordan and his extraordinary life. What leads a person to have such a radical faith? And what can the results be?
Sessions include:
• Session One: Show the documentary Briars in the Cotton Patch, by Faith Fuller (Millard Fuller’s daughter). This one-hour film tells the remarkable story of Koinonia Farms, and its impact on lives in Americus and beyond.
After the documentary is viewed, hold a time of discussion. Use questions like these:
—What did you find surprising in the film?
—How did the film make you feel?
—What, if anything, made you feel uncomfortable?
—If you learned just one thing from the film, what might it be?
• Session Two: The Dream of Clarence Jordan. Using the short book, “Clarence Jordan: Turning Dreams into Deeds,” provide a brief look at the convictions of Clarence Jordan. We suggest you focus primarily on chapter 2, “The Theological Vision of the Prophet”. If you have time, read and discuss a portion of one of the Cotton Patch Gospels. We suggest looking at a familiar section of one of the Gospel texts, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10, beginning with verse 25. (Page 37 in the “Cotton Patch Gospel: Luke and Acts”). Before reading, remind the participants that Jordan chose to use the southeast U.S. for the setting of Jesus’ ministry, and that he wrote the Cotton Patch Gospels in the era of the civil rights struggle.
Resources available:
• The DVD, Briars in the Cotton Patch, Director/Executive Producer Faith Fuller
• The book, Clarence Jordan: Turning Dreams into Deeds,
by Henlee Barnette
• The series, The Cotton Patch Gospel, by Clarence Jordan
These resources are available for purchase at: http://www.helwys.com/cpg/index.html
or by calling 800-747-3016
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