THANKSGIVING FOCUS STUDY
Learning to Give Thanks
In November, our thoughts are already drawn to Thanksgiving. Take advantage of this interest to offer an elective on this important theme. Do we really need to learn to give thanks? What does it mean to live thankfully, and how can it change us? Help adults reflect upon and express their thanks with this creative and timely 4 session Bible study by Raymond Bailey.
Sessions include:
Remembering to Say "Thank You"
Thanksgiving as Testimony
Anticipating Thanksgiving
Living Thankfully
Resources available:
4 Sessions of Learner’s Materials
4 Sessions of Teaching Materials
3 Handouts
Planning tips:
• This study is appropriate for small or large groups.
• Select a teacher for the elective that has strengths both in offering content and leading learning activities. This study has a strong Bible study aspect, but also encourages participation from those who attend.
• Feel free to give the study a title with extra pizzazz, such as "Giving Thanks 101," "Rediscovering Thanksgiving," "Growing a Thankful Heart," or "Give Thanks!".
• Promote the study through your church newsletter, with verbal announcements, and in adult Sunday School departments.
• Once the study has been downloaded, prepare copies of the Learner’s materials in advance of each session.
Download this study from NextSunday.com
OPTIONAL STUDY
Living with Stress
November and December can be among the most stressful months of the year. Help equip people to better handle the inevitable stress of living today. Living with Stress offers 5 sessions that help adults discover strength from their faith, and leads them to discover the healing power of play, silence, simplicity, worship, and friendship.
Sessions include:
Nurturing Play
Nurturing Silence
Nurturing Simplicity
Nurturing Worship
Nurturing Friendship
also included: the "Stress-free retreat guide"
Resources available:
A Five Session Teaching Guide
Reproducible handouts
Planning tips:
• This study is most appropriate for small groups (5-25). However, the study can work for larger groups, as long as the larger group is formed into smaller groups (8-12 persons each) for certain activities.
• Select a teacher for the elective that has strengths in leading activities. This study is designed more for participation than presenting information.
• Promotion idea #1: at some point during announcements (Wednesday night, Sunday School, Sunday night) have a volunteer rush into the room with a harried and stressed appearance, an overflowing day-timer, a cell phone to her ear, and two children or teens tugging on her sleeve. As she reaches the microphone, she can say something like this: "How do you cope with your stress? Does your life look like this? If so, please join me and (teacher’s name) on (date, time and place) for a study called 'Living with Stress' to discover some wonderful ways to find peace in your life."
• Promotion idea #2: create a "stress test" flyer using some of the items from the stress test on page 13 of the leaders guide. These are hilarious, and will get attention for the study. Include the date/time/place/leader name on the flyer, and you have a fun way to attract adults!
• Promote the study through your church newsletter, with verbal announcements, and in adult Sunday School departments.
• Once you receive the leaders guide, prepare adequate copies of any needed handouts in advance of each session.
Download this study from NextSunday.com
