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Grow to GoGrow to Go

2007-2008 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PLANNING GUIDEAn ongoing expression of the Call to Discipleship

Disciples on a Mission!

E V A N G E L I C A L L U T H E R A N C H U R C H I N A M E R I C A

Grow to Go! Disciples on a Mission

ELCA Christian Education Planning Guide 2007-2008

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What’s Inside?PAGE CONTENT

3 Welcome to Grow to Go!

4 Ongoing Expression of Discipleship

5- 5-9 For God So Loved the World Bible Study

10 Commitment and Affirmation of Disciple-Leaders

11-12 Overview: An Intergenerational Rally Day Module

13-22 Grow to Go: An Intergenerational Rally Day Module

16-19 Albert Schweitzer, Disciple

23-25 Rally Day Skit

26 Village Education Project

27 A Family Discipleship Calendar

28-29 Your Role as Witness-bearer!

30 Akaloo and the Practices of Faith

31-32 2007-2008 Planning Calendar

00 Clipart and other Graphics

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Welcome Disciples!Go therefore andmake disciples of

all nations, bap-tizing them in the

name of the Fatherand of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit, and teachingthem to obey everything that I havecommanded you. And remember, I amwith you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

For God so loved the world that hegave his only Son, so that everyonewho believes in him may not perishbut may have eternal life.

John 3: 16

Welcome to Grow to Go!Here’s your invitation to take your call as adisciple out into the world! The call to lifetransformed in Christ compels disciples of allages to boldly witness to God’s creative andloving activity in the world. This programplanner is intended to assist Christianeducation leaders as they engage adults,youth, and children in a life of discipleship.Grow to Go is designed to especially helpyou equip children to be “disciplemakers” andto instill an assurance in their identity thatthey too are called to “go tell” in the world.What does a child’s world look like? Well, perhaps it is the home, neighborhood, school,community, and even around the globe.

Three unique features mark thisyear’s planner:l As we continue with our series of “modern

day disciples” the spotlight shines on thelife and ministry of Albert Schweitzer. We are reminded that our youngest generation may not have ever heard ofDr. Schweitzer or Dietrich Bonhoeffer (featured in the 2006-2007 Christian education planner). Albert Schweitzerplays a significant part in this year’sIntergenerational Rally Day Module (see page 16).

l The Grow to Go theme offers a naturallink to discipleship through global mis-sion. Even if you don’t use all theIntergenerational Rally Day materials,please consider the Village EducationProject, (see page 26) a wonderful way toconnect children with children across themiles.

l A leader enrichment page devoted to thefaith-sharing role of teacher/leader in theclassroom, at home, and in day-to-dayactivities (see pages 28-29).



An Ongoing Expression of DiscipleshipThis resource is the latest addition to the con-stellation of resources carrying out the Call toDiscipleship theme and the fourth emphasisof the ELCA Evangelism Strategy, “Start andRenew Congregations.”

Each annual program planner focuses on onespecific aspect of discipleship and the sevenfaith practices. Find a quick overview of theprevious themes, information on Bible studiesrelated to the seven faith practices, and thelist of Intergenerational Rally Day modules atwww.elca.org/christianeducation/programplanners/2006CEProgramPlanner/images/ongoingexpression.pdf

www.elca.org/christianeducation/discipleship/ isyour one-stop entry point for accessing all thematerials mentioned above.

View the entire Evangelism Strategy athttp://www.elca.org/visionevangelism/EvangelismStrategyFinal.pdf

How to Use This ResourceAdapt this material to fit your setting.

l Consider using it:

l As you plan and prepare to launch the2007-2008 education year.

l As you pick and choose elements andincorporate them in your educational pro-grams throughout the year.

l Use this planner in conjunction withmaterials from previous planners to carryout your own on-going response to the Call to Discipleship in mid-week activities,after-school programs, special-event days,or summer programming.

l Be sure to maximize your use of Web pagereferences found throughout this resource.

l For further support, check out the latestofferings for lifelong learning fromAugsburg Fortress Publishers. Visit the on-line store at www.augsburgfortress.orgor call 800/328-4648.

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Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard

Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of

Christian Education of the National Council of the

Churches of Christ in the USA and used by permission.

Grow to Go: Disciples on a Mission! 2007-2008 Christian

Education Program Planning Guide developed by the ELCA

Christian Education Team of the Evangelical Outreach and

Congregational Mission unit. Copyright © 2007

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All rights

reserved. Permission is granted to photocopy this resource

provided copies are for local use only and each copy carries

all copyright acknowledgments found in the publication.

Manufactured in USA

The full contents of this resource and further supplemen-

tary materials can be found at www.elca.org/christianeduca-

tion/programplanners/2007CEProgramPlanner/

Project Manager and Editor Diane Monroe

Writers Kelly Fryer, Emily Demuth Ishida, Diane Monroe

Designer Kathryn Brewer

Illustrator Estelle Carol

Living in God’s amazing grace

Living in God’s amazing grace

KB: set “living in...” in Minion Italic

at about 12 point.



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Grow to Go! Disciples on a MissionBible Study Introduction Have you ever done a Bible study that encouraged you to rent a goofball comedybefore you get started? Well, you’re about to.

Will Ferrell is an actor known for makinggood-hearted comedies about flawed charac-ters who learn enough life lessons to helpthem grow up in the end. In the movie,Talladega Nights (2006, PG-13), Ferrell plays aNASCAR driver named Ricky Bobby (yes, hehas two first names!). Mid-flick, Ricky Bobbysays a hysterical table grace addressed to“Baby Jesus.” Exasperated, his wife chideshim, arguing that praying to a baby is “a bitweird and all, don’t ya think?” Unaffected,Ricky keeps right on praying to the cute, cud-dly, little golden-fleece-diapered, 7 pounds 8ounces, Christmas Jesus…because that’s theone he likes best. Everybody else around thiswacky dinner table takes this as a cue todescribe how they like to imagine Jesus. The Ninja Jesus, fighting off evil doers, isn’teven the most outrageous one. This scene ishilarious!

But after you stop laughing, ask yourself thisquestion: Who is Will Ferrell, ever so gently,poking fun at??

The answer, of course, is that he is laughingat us whenever we treat Jesus like Silly Puttyand act like we can give him any shape wewant. He is laughing at us whenever we try tocontrol, manipulate, shrink, squeeze, or boxJesus in. And we laugh, too, because we knowit’s true. We do try to do these things. Asmuch as we might try to be like AlbertSchweitzer (see p. 16), we all carry a littleRicky Bobby inside of us. Albert would proba-bly tell us that he did, too. After all, Jesus canbe scary! He claims Lordship over our work,relationships, and money. He tells us weshould love our enemies. He is God from God

and light from light. Through him, all thingswere made! We know how foolish it is to thinkwe can build a box that could keep Jesus init...even a church-shaped box. And so we can’thelp but laugh when we see a little bit of our-selves in Ricky Bobby.

The truth is, Jesus can’t be kept inside any boxwe could dream up. Jesus was sent by God toannounce and to bring in the transformation ofthe whole world, a world that God so loves. Theworld is the point of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus isn’t“in” the church for MY sake; Jesus is at workthrough the church (in other words, throughyou and me!), for the sake of the world.

That’s worthy of repetition!l Jesus isn’t “in” the church for my sake.

l Jesus is at work “through” us (individuallyand together, as the church)…for the sakeof the world.

The goal of this Christian education planner is to equip you to help people in your congregation:l wrestle with these ideas

l see that God is up to somethingmuch bigger than taking care of “my”needs

l understand that, in fact, the point of God’smission is to save and bless the whole world

l hear Jesus’ call to follow him out into theworld that God so loves

l embrace their call to be disciples right inthe middle of their everyday lives.

In other words, it’ll help straighten out the little bit of Ricky Bobby we all carry aroundinside of us.



For God So Loved The World!John 3:16

Theme: This Bible study searches the opening andclosing scenes in Jesus’ ministry, according toMatthew’s Gospel, looking for clues aboutwhat in the world God is up to in andthrough the lives of those who follow Jesus.

Purpose: The goal of this Bible study is to feed the spir-its—and the minds—of congregationally-based Christian Education leaders. It invitesteachers and leaders to reconnect with theGod who is at work in and through them,making a difference in the lives of people intheir congregation, for the sake of God’s mis-sion in the world. It will help teachers, andleaders think about and more fully embracewhat it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ intheir own lives, so that they can help othersthink about and more fully embrace this intheir lives, too.

Key ideas: l The opening and closing scenes in Jesus’

ministry, according to Matthew’s Gospel,offer key insights into God’s loving mis-sion in the world…and our role within it.

l The story about what Jesus said and didat the very beginning and at the very endof his ministry on earth shows us that:

l God is not a “temple God” but is,rather, at work in and through history forthe sake of the whole creation

l God’s kingdom has broken into and isbreaking into the world, bringing light&and life, and making everything new

l God works through those who havebeen called by Jesus to share the goodnews of the kingdom with everyone

l God meets us as wedo the work we are called to doin the world

l God works through people to bring inthe kingdom and, in the end, it is Godwho will make it happen

Diving into the Word:As every credible contestant on American Idolknows, the beginning and the ending of aperformance carry special significance. It’snot that the middle doesn’t matter, but peopleremember that first awesome—or awful—note…and the last one. It’s the same forauthors. The way an author begins and endsa story has special significance. The start andfinish of a narrative frames the whole rest ofthe story and provides the context for every-thing that comes in between. In this Biblestudy, we’re going to explore the “beginning”and the “ending” of the story of Jesus’ publicministry, at least the way Matthew tells it, tosee what we can learn about God, about ourworld, and about ourselves.

This Bible study contains three mainsections: l The world is where the action is

l Jesus calls us to follow him to the cross-roads

l Be ready for surprises along the way!

There are a couple of options forhow you do the Bible study: l Take on all three of these sections in one

long, 90–120 minute session.

l Spread the study over several weeks andtake it one section at a time. This optionwould give you the most time to really digin to the Bible itself and that is, after all,the heart of this study.

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Leader Bible Study



Back in Jesus’ day, people had allkinds of ideas about who the“Messiah” would be and what hewould do when God finally senthim. They had a whole longlist of things they wantedhim to take care of. Old scoresthey wanted him to settle. Enemies theywanted him to destroy. Blessings theywanted him to bestow. In other words, theythought God was sending a holy lump ofSilly Putty that they could squeeze into what-ever shape they wanted or thought they need-ed. But Jesus—the Lord of lords and King ofkings—will not be molded by human handsor limited by our imaginations. This was clearpretty much from the moment Jesus hittown…because the town he chose wasn’tJerusalem, the obvious choice. Unexpectedly,Jesus started his ministry in Capernaum, bythe sea, a rough and tumble town right in themiddle of “Galilee of the Gentiles.” It wasthere, not in a temple or on a sacred moun-tain or in a holy city, but rather standing inthe crossroads of the nations, that Jesusannounced, “The kingdom of heaven hascome near!” Jesus didn’t come to be any-body’s wish-granting genie. Jesus came to dosomething beyond anything we could everhave dreamed or hoped for. Jesus came tochange the world.

l Have you ever been totally surprised byGod? What happened?

l You may have experienced the presence ofJesus in “the temple” (i.e. at worship)before. But when have you seen Jesus“show up” out at the crossroads?

l What do you think Jesus meant when hetalked about “the kingdom of heaven?”When and where has it felt “near” to you?

Each section includes four parts:1 A discussion starter

2 Reading and talking about the Bible

3 A short reflection about the “point” of thesection

4 A few “just wondering…” questions tobring it all home.

The whole study is meant to be self-led by theteachers and leaders in a congregationallybased Christian education program. No experience – and certainly no seminary training – necessary! Ready? Let’s go.

The world is where the action is

True or false: We’re all tempted,at least once in awhile, to think

that having a relationship with Jesus is (orshould be!) like having our own personalgenie, whose job it is to grant our every wish.Discuss.

Read Matthew 4:12-17.

The most important thing you’lldo in this Bible study is…that’s right…actual-ly read the Bible! God is speaking throughthis story and has something to say to us.What is it? After you read this passage, spendtime talking about what you’re hearing.Listen to each other!

Use these three questions to getyou started:

l What is God doing in this story?

l What do you hear God saying to you inthis story?

l What do you hear God saying to us (as asmall group, congregation, etc.) in thisstory?

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Read

Reflect

JUSTWondering...



Jesus calls us to follow himto the crossroads

Fill in the blank: I can tell that a person is a good Christian

because he/she always:

___________________________________________.

OK, what popped into your head first? Why?

Read Matthew 4:18-25.

Remember, this is the heart ofthe Bible study. While you’re reading the storyfrom Matthew, listen for what God is sayingto you. Then, spend time listening for whatGod is saying to you through each other.

Use these three questions to getyou started:




“The kingdom of heaven is near!” Jesus cried.“The world is about to change!” And thenwhat’s the first thing Matthew says he didafter this big announcement? He grabbed thefirst couple of guys he saw and said, “Wannahelp?” Through Jesus, we are reminded thatGod uses ordinary people like us to get thingsdone. Notice what Jesus doesn’t say to those

fishermen. He doesn’t say, “Hey ya’ll, comefollow me to church!” or “Yo there, come fol-low me to a prayer meeting!” or even “’s’updudes, wanna do some Bible study?” Instead,Jesus called his disciples to follow him into acrazy, busy life of healing and teaching andproclaiming the good news of the kingdomeverywhere they went to whoever would lis-ten. The fact is, when Jesus says, “Follow me,”it always means action. Jesus calls us to fol-low him into the crossroads, right into themiddle of everyday life. Disciples do gettogether for worship, of course, and for prayerand Bible study. But that’s not the point.Disciples do those things because it equipsand energizes them for the real work Jesuscalls them to do in the real world. How canyou tell that a person is a Christian? They’rethe ones serving Jesus and loving their neigh-bors in the middle of their crazy, busy, every-day lives.

l How has God been at work through you,making a difference in somebody else’slife, lately? Describe it.

l Which “spiritual disciplines” energize youfor your everyday ministry the most?Which ones equip you for your work as adisciple? Is there something you’re miss-ing? What will you do about that?

l How is the work you do inside the congre-gation (i.e. teaching or leading in theChristian education program) helpingequip and energize others for their every-day ministries? What can you do to makesure that happens more intentionally?

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FORDiscussion

JUSTWondering...

Reflect

Read



Be ready for surprises along the way

Choose the letter you think bestanswers this question:

What is evangelism?

1 Telling people the good news about Jesus

2 The scariest thing you could ever imaginedoing

3 Both of the above

Read Matthew 28:1-20.When it comes to listening for

what God is trying to say to us through thebiblical story, everybody has something tooffer. No experience is necessary!

Really listen to each other as youtalk about these three questions.

Let yourself be surprised by what youhear…and who you hear it from.




Did you notice how the story ends exactlywhere it started? The angel who is waiting forthe women at the tomb tells them to dry their

eyes. Jesus is on the move! And heis headed, the angel says, forGalilee…crossroads of the nations.Jesus’ work continues, right in themiddle of the everyday world, andit continues through us. “Goquickly and tell!” the angel says.The women, to their credit, do asthey’re told even though they’re filled withfear. Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for themto discover this wonderful truth: As we goabout the work Jesus calls us to do, he showsup! “Greetings!,” Jesus said to them. And theyworshipped him. Right there on the roadside.It kind of makes you think that maybe ourjob, as Jesus’ disciples, isn’t to “take” Jesus tothe crossroads. Jesus is already there, right?!In fact, there is no place we could go thatJesus hasn’t already been. Our job is, rather,to recognize Jesus when we see him outthere…and worship him. In other words,name his name! Tell people what it is we see.Surprise them with the good news that,indeed, the kingdom of heaven has comenear.

l Where is the most surprising place youhave “seen” Jesus?”

l Have you ever dared to tell someone, “Youknow, I think Jesus is right here with us!”(or something like that)? What happened?

l Who needs to hear a surprising word fromyou this week?

Written by Kelly Fryer, missiologist with nearly 20 years

experience in leading congregations in renewal. She is

the author of the No Experience Necessary Bible Study Series,

Reclaiming the L Word, and Reclaiming the C Word. Watch

for Kelly’s latest book, Reclaiming the E Word, due out later

this year.

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JUSTWondering...

Reflect

Read

FORDiscussion

Grow to Go!D

isciples on

a M

ission

Grow

to Go!

“Go, m

ake discip

les, bap

tizing a

nd tea

chin

g…” Jesu

s’ words a

re the

prop

elling m

ission of th

e ELCA

! Tha

t call is ever-fresh

today a

s Ch

rist’sex

am

ple lea

ds us ou

t into th

e world to be a

dyna

mic ch

urch

of disci-p

les (of all a

ges) initia

ting G

od’s mission

in th

e world G

od loves som

uch

. Ou

r call to discip

leship

is an

atta

chm

ent to th

e hea

rt, min

d,a

nd sou

l of Ch

rist tha

t comp

els us to a

ct as C

hrist w

ould in

our da

ilyen

coun

ters with

others a

nd in

our grow

ing rela

tionsh

ip w

ith G

od.

Wh

en Jesu

s says, “Follow

me,” it a

lwa

ys mea

ns action. Jesu

s calls u

s tofollow

him

into th

e crossroads, righ

t into th

e middle of everyda

y life.W

hen

we com

e together for w

orship

, pra

yer, Bible stu

dy, an

d other

pra

ctices of the fa

ith, w

e are bein

g equip

ped a

nd en

ergized as discip

lesfor th

e mission

God h

as in

min

d for us…

to tell others a

bout G

od’s lovea

nd gra

ce, to serve Jesus a

s we love a

nd serve oth

ers in ou

r neigh

bor-h

ood an

d beyond.

As C

hristia

ns w

e are p

eople w

ho h

ave received th

e gift of reconcilia

-tion

with

God th

rough

faith

in C

hrist a

nd w

ho a

re an

swerin

g the ca

llto sh

are th

at gift w

ith everyon

e. We h

ave been

created by th

e Holy

Spirit to p

roclaim

the gosp

el of Jesus C

hrist in

word a

nd deed. W

e are

peop

le wh

o ha

ve been blessed by G

od, an

d throu

gh w

hom

God is a

tw

ork today, lovin

g an

d blessing th

e wh

ole world. Th

e chu

rch is p

eople

wh

o are rea

dy to follow Jesu

s, to imita

te Jesus, everyw

here th

ey go!

The pastor may w

elcome children,

youth, and adults to come forw

ard tobless their teachers, guides, and facili-tators for the com

ing year. At the

appropriate time, teachers and leaders

of all the congregation’s educationalm

inistries are invited to come forw

ard.

A lay assisting m

inister begins:

The follow

ing lea

ders ha

ve beenca

lled to teach

an

d disciple in

our

midst th

is year: N

ames are read as

individuals come forw

ard.

The pastor continues:

Today w

e give tha

nks a

nd seek

God’s blessin

g on th

ose wh

o ha

velovin

gly presen

ted them

selves forth

e teach

ing m

inistr y of ou

r con-

gregation

.

The pastor addresses the teachers

and leaders:

In th

e words of th

e Grea

tC

omm

ission, Jesu

s comp

els us to

go an

d teach

. Do you

hea

r the

Word of G

od an

d do you em

brace

the joy-filled p

rivilege of nu

rturin

gC

hristia

n grow

th in

those you

teach

?

The t eac her s and leaders respond:

I embra

ce this p

rivilege an

d ask

God to h

elp a

nd gu

ide me.

The pastor continues:

Will you

look to the a

uth

or an

drep

lenish

er of our fa

ith a

s you

seek to grow in

your role a

s a

daily discip

le at h

ome, in

this

congrega

tion, a

nd in

the w

orld?

The t eachers and leaders respond:

I will a

nd a

sk God to h

elp a

nd gu

idem

e.

The pastor addresses the

congregation:

It is our p

rivilege to affirm

an

d send

forth th

ose wh

o are ca

lled to the

teach

ing m

inistry of ou

r congrega

-tion

an

d God’s kin

gdom in

this

pla

ce. Will you

comm

it to sup

port

them

in th

eir spiritu

al w

ell-being

throu

gh p

rayer, en

coura

gemen

t,a

nd service?

The cong regation responds:

We w

ill, an

d w

e ask

Go

d to

help

an

d g

uid

e us.

The pas t or continues:

Let us p

ray.

Gra

cious G

od, we com

e to you w

ithth

an

ksgiving for you

r son, Jesu

sC

hrist, sen

t am

ong u

s to show

us

the w

ay to love th

e world. Pou

r out

your H

oly Spirit u

pon

all th

ose wh

otea

ch a

nd lea

r n th

at w

e ma

y befilled w

ith a

desire to GR

OW

as dis -

ciples a

nd G

O forth

as bold w

itness-

es to your love a

nd gra

ce. In Jesu

s’n

am

e we p

ray.

Am

en

Commitment and Affirmation of Disciple-Leaders

Go therefore and m

ake disciples ofall nations, baptizing them

in thenam

e of the Father and of the Sonand of the H

oly Spirit, and teach-ing them

to obey everything thatI have com

manded you. A

ndrem

ember, I am

with you alw

ays,to the end of the age.M

atthew 28:19-20



Grow to GoGrow to Go invites us to grow in our faith,so that we can go out into our world andmake disciples. Adults, youth, and childrenwill participate in activities that encouragespiritual growth, discipleship, and a greaterappreciation of mission in the world. All thesethings contribute to renewing and growingcongregations.

Key verseGo therefore and make disciples of allnations, baptizing them in the name ofthe Father and of the Son and of the HolySpirit, and teaching them to obey every-thing that I have commanded you. Andremember, I am with you always, to theend of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

Opening activityParticipants will discuss how they “measureup” spiritually by using tape measures andmaking a growth chart on a wall.

Large GatheringA skit, “I don’t have a passport and I don’tknow how,” will show that even children canmake disciples in their own world. Scripturereading, hymn, and prayer are also included.

RotationsThree rotations will focus on mission, the keyverse, and spiritual growth and renewing con-gregations. At each rotation, participants willreceive a craft foam triangle on which theywill write “Grow,” “2” and “Go.” At the end ofthe rotations, the triangles will be strungtogether on a paper clip to reveal a hiddenmessage.

Rotation 1: Albert Schweitzer Mission: “Go and make disciples of all nations”Participants will learn about AlbertSchweitzer, a medical missionary to Africa.Though Schweitzer went great distances toheal the sick, he also exemplified mission indaily life.

Participants will make a sun helmet magnetto put on their lockers, file cabinets or refriger-ators to remind them of their mission to goand make disciples in their daily world.

Participants will receive a craft foam triangleon which to write the word “Go.”

Rotation 2: Great Commission Relay Key verse: “I am with you always”Participants will move through an obstaclecourse relay that will help them remembertoday’s key verse.

Participants will write “2” on a craft foam triangle to remind them that they are neveralone. God is always with us, giving us thestrength and courage to be and make disciples.

Rotation 3: Growing SonflowersSpiritual growth and renewal of congregations:“Teaching them to observe all I have commanded”Participants will discuss how to make disciplesby being disciples within their congregationand in their world. They will witness to thecongregation by making “Sonflowers” for thegrowth wall to remind others of our greatcommission.

Participants will write “Grow” on a craft foamtriangle.

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Note: The complete rally day formatand instructions begin on p. 13.

Overview:Intergenerational Rally Day Module



ClosingParticipants will slide their triangles onto alarge paperclip or key ring. The message canread both “Grow-2-Go,” or “Go-2-Grow,”which is what mission is really about. Thesecan later be hooked onto backpacks, purses,or key chains. When we reach out to others infaith, our faith grows. When we reach out tochurches around the world, their witnessstrengthens us.

Participants will learn about an opportunityto give to a village education project in theCentral African Republic (CAR) (page 26).

Suggestions for Leadersl Invite everyone in your congregation, not

just parents of school-age children, toattend your rally day event. Cross-genera-tional interaction can be a fun and mutu-ally enriching experience for participantsof all ages including youth, young adults,and older adults.

l Choose someone to head the CAR villageeducation mission project. He or she canvisit the Web site www.elca.org/globalgifts/carschools.html for additional information.A Central African Republic country packetis also available on the ELCA Web site. Itincludes background information, currentissues, a craft project, and other interest-ing information. Set a realistic, but chal-lenging giving goal for your congregation,and a timetable in which to reach thegoal.

l Recruit rotation leaders for each rotation,and have them gather the supplies andrecruit the additional help they may needto do the rotation. This event is divided insegments so that the labor can be dividedamong many as well. Giving others achance to be leaders helps them grow infaith, too.

l Take advantage of the mix of generations.Are the children or the Baby Boomersmore excited about seeing the clip fromMary Poppins? Who remembers readingabout Albert Schweitzer in magazines ornewspapers? Invite adults and children toshare ways in which they can be disciplesin their worlds. Keep the original groupsof three together throughout the morningso that the older person can help theyounger ones with crafts and activities.

l The fourth objective of the ELCAEvangelism Strategy is to “Start and RenewCongregations.” Revitalizing congrega-tions begins by building disciples.Disciples are those who are growing intheir faith, actively seeking ways tostrengthen their relationship with andknowledge of God and ready to go forthand serve others. Everyone who shows upfor the rally day event is a disciple. Theevent is designed to uplift and encouragethat fact. Try to encourage the discipleshipand evangelism discussed on rally day tocontinue throughout the year.

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Opening Activity

Rotation DetailsDivide participants into groups of three people as theyarrive. Pair a tall person (adult or teenager) with twoshorter ones. Try to divide families to encourage inter-action with others.

Show the segment from Mary Poppins when MaryPoppins measures Jane and Michael. (It’s about 30minutes into the film.) Explain that Mary Poppinsmeasured not for size, but for character. Today we’regoing to talk about our spiritual character, or spiritualgrowth. Unlike Mary Poppins, we are not “practicallyperfect in every way,” but God loves us despite ourfaults. Ask participants, “What label might God puton you if God wanted to see how you measure upspiritually?”



Labels suggested might include: “Work in progress”“Learner’s permit” “Diamond in the rough” “Disciplein training” “Close, but not there yet” “Tries hard, stillneeds work” or “Sings well, but dozes during sermons”Chances are that adults will have descriptions similarto the children, reminding children that spiritualgrowth does not stop with physical growth.

Distribute brown paper or pre-cut circles to each per-son, and give each group a tape measure, scissors,streamer or ribbon, and black marker or pen. Eachgroup should hang a streamer or ribbon as high asthe tallest person in the group on the wall. (This willcreate the sunflower’s stem.) Each participant willwrite their name, and a spiritual growth designationfor themselves on the brown circle.

Take turns measuring each person in the group, andplacing their circle next to the streamer to mark theirheight. Alternate putting names on the right and leftside of the streamer.

As the groups do the activity, they can discuss twoquestions: What makes you grow? What makes yougrow in faith?

We grow with food, exercise, sleep, and taking care ofour bodies. We need to avoid things that are nothealthy, such as smoking, drugs, junk food, etc.

Our faith needs the same types of things—the food ofGod’s Word, exercising our faith by following God’scommandments, taking time to rest on the Sabbath,and avoiding temptations of this world. These arethings that help us grow in faith.

Remind participants that by coming to Rally Day,they are growing in faith, through hearing the Wordand talking about what being a disciple is all about.As time allows, let each person share his or her“measurement” with the group before moving to thegathering spot.

As you move to the next spot, you may wish to sing“We are Marching in the Light of God,” (ELW866/WOV 650) or another suitable song.

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Grow to Go:An Intergenerational Rally Day Module

Advance Preparation for Opening ActivityObtain a video or DVD copy of Mary Poppins.Arrange for TV/DVD projection equipment.

Find an empty wall or walls in the church (parishhall, hallways, classrooms) where participants willbe able to put up a paper sunflower garden.

Materials needed for the garden:l Green crepe paper streamers or wide green rib-

bon (6 feet for every 3 people)

l 6” Brown construction paper circles (Hint: Usea bowl or plate to trace a circle. Stack severalsheets together and cut out together. Circlescould be cut out during the event by eachsmall group.)

l Black markers or felt-tip pens

l Masking tape that will not damage walls

l Scissors

l Tape measures

l (Yellow construction paper for the Sonflowerpetals will be needed in a later rotation)



Large Gathering

Advance Preparations for Large GatheringYou may wish to use the sanctuary for this part of the event. Make sure the space will beavailable. Don’t forget to tell the altar guild or choir or music director that you will be using itfor a short time.

The gathering will involve a skit that doesn’t look like a skit. The only props necessary are alaptop computer. The leader begins from the front and center, and the rest of the actors speaktheir parts from their seats. The script has some blanks where you will personalize it with yourcongregation’s and leader’s names. Fill these in before making copies to distribute to actors.Assign parts and practice running through it a couple times before rally day. Decide on appro-priate places for the actors to sit during the rehearsal. Use wireless microphones, if necessary,so that actors can be heard.

Recruit a song leader to lead the song “Listen, God Is Calling.”

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Gathering DetailsOnce the participants have been seated, beginthe skit. The script is found on pages 23-25 .

After the skit, sing “Listen God Is Calling”(ELW 513/WOV 712). Introduce the song bymentioning that it comes from Tanzania, acountry in East Africa. The song has a calland response. The song leader will sing thecall, and the congregation will respond.

Prayer

Dear Lord,You have called us to be your disciples.Strengthen us to go into our everyday worldand make disciples of others. Help us to loveothers, reaching out to meet their needs, andinviting them to become disciples also. Bewith us this day and always. In your name wepray.

Amen.



Rotations

The three Rotations begin on page 16. They are:

Rotation 1: Albert SchweitzerPages 16-19

Rotation 2: Great Commission RelayPage 20

Rotation 3: Growing “Sonflowers” Page 21

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Advance Preparation for RotationsFind leaders to lead each rotation. Allow about 15 minutes per rota-tion. If you have a large Sunday school, you may need more thanone location for each rotation.

Cut triangles out of craft foam using the pattern found atwww.elca.org/growtogo/triangles. Each rotation will need enough trian-gles for each participant. Remember to use ink pens to write on thecraft foam, as markers tend to smear.

Participants will move through the rotations in different orders. Thinkabout dividing and assigning rotation patterns before rally day.



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Rotation 1:

Albert SchweitzerBackground for Leaders: Albert SchweitzerLutheran Book of Worship commemoratesAlbert Schweitzer on September 4. He is giventhe designation “missionary to Africa.” Butthis is hardly sufficient to describe the life ofthis remarkable man.

Lutheran Book of Worship: The Manual on theLiturgy (Messerli & Pfatteicher, Augsburg,©1979) offers this description:

“Schweitzer was born in 1875 in Alsace andwas educated at Strassburg, Berlin, and Paris.In 1899 he became a parish pastor inStrassburg and in 1902 began to teach atStrassburg University. His Quest of theHistorical Jesus appeared in 1910, expound-ing his interpretation of Jesus’ eschatologicalvision; in 1912 he applied the same principlesto St. Paul. During that year he also receivedhis medical degree and, in the following year,gave up his distinguished academic career todevote himself to the care of the sick and tomissionary activities at Lambarene in Africa.He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in1954. In addition to his theological, medical,and missionary accomplishments, he was ahighly regarded organist and interpreter ofBach.” (pp. 70-71)

The much-abbreviated story of his life givenbelow shows that at every point in his life,Schweitzer found ways to serve God. Heplayed the organ in church from a youngage; as a child he was aware of the sufferingand needs of others. He used his preaching,writing, and music skills, but decided that wasstill not enough, and became a doctor. Whenimprisoned during World War I, he turned hisskills to writing a book, until he could getback to doctoring. He spoke out against theevils of nuclear weapons, and was a man ofpeace. He is an example of a true disciple,with God at the center of all aspects of his life,and living in service to others.

Advance Preparation for Rotation 1Familiarize yourself with the Albert Schweitzerstory found on pages 18-19.

Download the image of Albert Schweitzerwearing his sun helmet (see Resources atwww.elca.org/growtogo/schweitzer)

Materials needed for sun helmetmagnets:l Scissors

l Magnet strips or old refrigerator magnets

l Thin cardboard or cardstock or old busi-ness cards

l Khaki fabric, or ask for a donation of apair of discarded khaki pants.

l Brown or black markers or fabric markers

l Glue fabric to thin cardboard and cut outa sun helmet, then glue to a magnet strip.Or glue fabric directly to a thin piece ofmagnet and cut it out.

Other materials include:

l Craft foam triangles

l Ink pens

l Dry-erase board and markers



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Rotation 1 detailsBegin the rotation by asking the group todescribe what a missionary does. Where dothey work? What do they do? Write theanswers on the dry erase board. Answers mayinclude countries in Africa, Latin Americaand the Caribbean, Asia, Europe. Some mis-sionary “jobs” may include: pastor, teacher,nurse, agriculturalist, doctor, water resourcespecialist, theology professor, librarian, andmusician.

Now say that you will be reading the story ofAlbert Schweitzer who was a missionary formany years found on pages 18-19. Then usethe following discussion questions to discoverwhat Dr. Schweitzer’s life teaches us about discipleship. Continue with the LearningActivities. (You may wish to have participantswork on their sun helmet magnets while youread the story).

Discussion Questionsl What are some of the things that Albert

Schweitzer did to make the world a betterplace?

l How did Albert Schweitzer live out thecommand to “go and make disciples”?

l How did he use his various talents to servethe Lord?

l How was Albert a missionary wherever hewas?

l How does the work Albert Schweitzer diddiffer from our ideas of what a missionarydoes?

l What can we learn from Albert Schweitzerabout how to live our lives?

l Albert Schweitzer said that we should“seek always to do some good, some-where.” How can you do good in yourown daily world?

Learning ActivitiesAlbert shows us that one person can serve theLord in many ways. Just as he tried to dosome good in the world, we too, should try todo some good in our lives. Albert wore a sunhelmet for protection from the intense heatand sunshine of the tropics. We will be mak-ing sun helmet magnets to put on your locker,file cabinet, or refrigerator to serve as areminder that we serve the Son of God as mis-sionaries, whenever we seek to do good.

Distribute fabric, cardboard, and magnetpieces to participants. Have them glue thefabric onto the cardboard or magnet, then cutout a sun helmet using the pattern provided.Use markers to draw the band or other lineson the helmet.

Distribute a craft foam triangle to each partic-ipant and instruct them to write the word“Go” on both the front and back of it. Keepthe same flat side down, with a point facingup, when writing on each side.



AlbertSchweitzerAlbert Schweitzer is most remembered for hiswork as a missionary doctor in Africa. He oftenwore scruffy clothes and an old sun helmet,which shaded his face with its bushy mustache.He hardly looked like a man who was also apastor, a concert organist, an author of numer-ous books and a winner of the Nobel PeacePrize. But Albert Schweitzer was all thesethings.

Albert was not a perfect child. Growing up inAlsace in the 1880s, he once got into a fightwith a boy from school. When Albert won, theother boy declared, “If I got soup with meattwice a week as you do, I would be as strong asyou are.” That made Albert think about theneeds of others. He did not want to have anymore than the other children. When his mothergave him an overcoat, he wouldn’t wear it,because the other boys in the village didn’t haveany.

Albert loved music. He started piano lessons atage five. When he was 14, his organ teacherwas so impressed with Albert’s playing that heasked him to play the organ for the churchchoir. The church was a familiar place toAlbert. Both his grandfather and father wereLutheran pastors, and Albert enjoyed studyingthe Bible. He couldn’t decide whether to studymusic or theology at college, so he did both.

Albert graduated and became a pastor, butalso continued playing the organ. He especiallyliked the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.Albert preached, wrote books, gave organ con-certs, and even rebuilt organs. But for Albert, itwas not enough. He knew there was suffering inthe world, and he wanted to do somethingabout it.

Albert read in a magazine that doctors wereneeded in Africa. So at 30 years old, he went tomedical school. Eight years later he and his wifesailed to Africa and opened a hospital in thejungle near Lambarene, in what is now thecountry of Gabon. The day after Albert arrivedat Lambarene, sick and injured people came tohim for medical help. He quickly converted anold chicken coop into a hospital room, andbegan his vital work.

But just as he was getting his hospital startedup, World War I broke out. The Schweitzerswere arrested because they were Germansworking in a French territory (at that time,Alsace was part of Germany.) So Albert beganwriting a philosophy book while he was impris-oned. He wrote about “reverence for life,” say-ing that the greatest good is to love all life, andthat the greatest evil is to destroy life.

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After the war Albert divided his time betweenEurope and Africa. He gave organ concerts inEurope to raise money for his hospital in Africa.He wrote books and gave lectures about hiswork and respecting all life. His books andwork brought him fame, and Life magazinecalled him “the greatest man in the world.” Butfame was not of much interest to Albert. Hewas more interested in seeing that his hospitalserved those who needed it. When visitorscame, they saw Albert doing what he loved—working at the hospital in his old sun helmetand old clothes. He never liked to spend moneyon new things for himself, because that wouldmean less money to spend on the African peo-ple he served at the hospital.

When World War II began, Albert stayed inAfrica. After that war he spoke out against theatomic bomb, which had radioactive materialsthat were harmful to all life. In 1952, he wasawarded the Nobel Peace Prize for all he haddone. In his acceptance speech, he talkedabout the need for world peace. He wanted thenations of the world to trust one another, andget rid of nuclear weapons.

When Schweitzer died in 1965, he was buried inLambarene. During his ninety years of life hehad worked to make the world a better place.He once said, “It is not enough merely to exist.... Seek always to do some good, somewhere.... Even if it’s a little thing, do something forthose who need help, something for which youget no pay but the privilege of doing it. Forremember, you don’t live in a world all yourown. Your brothers [and sisters] are here too.”

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Rotation 2: Great Commission RelayRotation 2 DetailsToday’s Bible verse is packed with a lot ofimportant commands. It is often called “TheGreat Commission” passage. Each of you willrun through an obstacle course that will helpyou learn and remember the verse.

The rotation leader should walk through theobstacle course, explaining how each sectionfits the verse.

Go therefore and

Hop on one foot to the chalk or dry erase board.

make disciples of all nations,

Draw (make) a disciple on the board (can be astick figure, person praying, a face with a beard,a friend, yourself, etc.).

baptizing them

Use the spray bottle on your drawing (clean-upperson should erase the picture as the participantmoves on to the next obstacle).

in the name of the Father and of the Son and ofthe Holy Spirit,

Throw three rings over the stake.

and teaching them to obey everything that Ihave commanded you.

Open up Bible and read a verse from it (If youwish, place bookmarks and mark familiar pas-sages).

And remember, I am with you always

Write a number “2”on the front and back of acraft foam triangle to remember that we are neveralone, there are always two of us, because God isalways with us. Keep the same flat side down,with a point facing up, when writing on each side.

To the end of the age.

Skip to the end line, bringing your triangle withyou.

Use the posterboard with the Bible verse sothat others can recite the verse as each partic-ipant moves through the obstacle course.Once several participants have gone through,see whether the group can recite it withoutusing the posters. By the end, many will havememorized the verse, and all will havewalked through it in such a way that theyshould be able to remember it.

Emphasize that God is with us always. It isonly with God in our hearts that we are ableto go into the world to be disciples and makedisciples.

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Advance Preparation for Rotation 2This rotation will consist of an obstacle course relay.Depending on the numbers of people, consider setting upseveral courses to run simultaneously. The emphasis shouldbe more on making the journey than beating another team.

Materials needed for each obstacle course relay:l Dry-erase board or chalkboard

l Dry-erase markers or chalk

l Erasers or paper towels or rags

l Water spray bottle

l Three rings and a stake to toss them onto (If you don’thave a ring toss game, you could use the inside woodhoops of embroidery hoops)

l Large Bible


l Ink pens

l Posterboard with the text of Matthew 28:19-20 writtenon it, each phrase written in a different color.

Read through the obstacle course instructions so that youcan choose an appropriate place to do this rotation. Gather the materials, make the poster, and set up the courseprior to the rally day event. Weather permitting, the course could be set up outside.



Petal possibilitiesMany more exist. Each suggestion could be short-ened or expanded as desired.

Come to worshipAttend Sunday schoolPray before mealsPray at bedtimeRead the BibleInvite others to churchInvite friends to Sunday schoolSing in choirServe as lectorBe kind to everyone at schoolRecycle papers and cansOnly speak well of othersShow respect to everyoneTell others about JesusPlay fairly in gamesHelp around the houseTreat colleagues with respectBe just in business activitiesVolunteer at__________Give financially to church or other charitiesSupport a missionaryFind out about companion synodShow reverence for lifeShare

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Rotation 3: Growing “Sonflowers”Rotation 3 DetailsExplain that sunflowers turn their faces to thesun. As Christians, we grow in faith when weturn our face to the Son of God. We turn toJesus when we obey his command to love God,love and serve our neighbor, and care for theearth and all things.

Participants will make construction paperpetals to add to the circles that were put on thewall during the opening activity. On eachpetal, participants will write one way they cangrow in faith and go into the world as a follow-er of the Son of God….as a disciple!

Brainstorm as a group things that participantsdo to grow in faith. (Use suggestions from thelist below to get started.) Write the ideas on thedry erase or chalkboard. Be specific to yourown congregation or neighborhood. Whatneeds or ministries can you serve? How caneach person use their talents to serve God?

Participants should cut one end of their stripsinto a point (Hint: cut a small stack at thesame time.) Then use orange markers to writeone thing on each petal that they can do togrow and go as a disciple of Jesus. Since it takesalmost 20 petals for each flower, participantsmay wish to write on every other petal. (Hint:Write closer to the point since the other endwill be glued to the back of the brown circles.

Advance Preparation for Rotation 3Materials Needed:l Yellow construction paper cut into 1 by 4 inch strips.

Each participant will need about 20 strips.

l Orange markers

l Scissors

l Glue

l Dry erase board/markers or chalkboard/chalk


l Ink pens

Have each participant take down his or herbrown center, glue the petals in place, andput the flower back on the wall for a“Sonflower” Garden. This garden can serve toremind the rest of the congregation about theways in which we go into the world as chil-dren of God.

Distribute a craft foam triangle to each partic-ipant and instruct them to write the word“Grow” on the front and back. Keep the sameflat side down, with a point facing up, whenwriting on each side.



ClosingGather everyone back together after the rota-tions.

Participants should place their triangles infront of them, and be able to read “Grow 2Go.”

Slide the triangles onto a large paper clip inthat order. Have older students or adults helpthe younger ones poke the paper clip throughthe top corner of the triangle. (Hint: Don’t goto close to the point or it will rip more easily.)Fan the triangles open to read “Grow 2 Go.”

Now flip the pile over. It should read “Go 2Grow.”

Grow to Go…Go to Grow!Today we talked about how we grow in faith,as preparation for going into the world tomake disciples. But we also need to rememberthat when we go into the world, we also grow.We might think we are only teaching othersabout God, but in reality, our faith growswhen we share with others.

Albert Schweitzer knew famous people fromall over the world. But he thought one of thefinest men he knew was Oyembo, a localschoolteacher in Lambarene. Oyembo wasrefined, smart, modest, kind, and patient.Albert learned from him. Most missionarieswould admit that they gain at least as muchas they give when living and working inanother culture and sharing God’s love withothers.

This week, you go can into the world andmake disciples. You’ll be doing many of thethings that have been written in ourSonflower garden. Some of you will put sunhelmet magnets in your lockers, so that youremember to be missionaries, or disciples ofthe Son of God even at school, by the wayyou treat others.

Introduce the project coordinator to tell aboutthe Village Education Project as described onpage 26.

Closing Prayer LitanyDistribute copies so that participants can readalong.

Lord, we have been watered in baptismHelp us grow, so we can go

Lord, we have been fed and nourished at yourtable

Help us grow, so we can go

Lord, we have been enriched by the study ofyour Word

Help us grow, so we can go

Lord, as we exercise our hearts in service toothers

Help us go, so we can grow

Lord, let us be examples of disciplesHelp us go, so we can grow

Lord, encourage us to reach out to your chil-dren in far corners of the earth


Lord, make us ready to give an account forthe hope that is in us


Lord, we grow to go into the world.We go to grow in our love for you.

Be with us always to the end of the age. Amen

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Advance Preparation for ClosingHave large paper clips for each participant.

Recruit someone to serve as the Central African Republicvillage education mission project coordinator. Have himor her introduce the project and the goals established foryour congregation. (See suggestions for leaders on 12.)



Characters: Leader, Adult 1, 2, and 3, Child 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Leader: Welcome to this year’s Rally Day at_________________ Church. It’s nice to seeso many of you back again, and it’s alwaysa joy to see new faces. We should have aterrific year in Sunday school. We’ll beusing ____________________ curriculum andfocusing on _______________. But thismorning, for Rally Day, our theme is “Growto Go.”

Earlier we talked about how we grow infaith. And that’s important, because I havea job for each one of you. _______________Church wants YOU (with Uncle Sam pose) togo into the world and make disciples.

Child 1: Raises hand but interrupts before beingaddressed. Mr/s. ___________? How can I gointo the world? I don’t even have apassport!

Child 2: I don’t have a passport either.

Adult 1: I’m sure s/he didn’t mean you. S/he’stalking to the adults right now, looking forvolunteers for some project.

Adult 2: There’s quite a waiting list forpassports right now, so I guess I can’t help.

Leader: You don’t need passports for the job Ihave. And it’s not a project. It’s a mission ...from God.

Child 3: Whoa! What can we do? What is it?

Leader: Make disciples. God wants you tomake disciples.

Child 1: How can I make disciples? I’ve neverdone it before and I don’t know how.

Leader: Shuffles through papers. This is a bitembarrassing, but no one left me thedirections on how to do it. It just says, “Telleveryone to make disciples.”

Child 2: Mr/s. _____________? Maybe we canGoogle it.

Leader: Google it?

Child 2: On the computer. Go to Google andtype “make disciples.”

Leader: Sitting down at the computer. Sighs.This will never work. Types. Wait aminute—look at this!

Child 3: What does it say?

Leader: Here’s the Bible verse I wanted toshare. “Go therefore and make disciples ofall nations, baptizing them in the name ofthe Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything thatI have commanded you. And remember, Iam with you always, to the end of theage.” Continues to look at the computer.

Child 1: That’s just a Bible verse. It doesn’ttell us how to make disciples.

Adult 1: Yes it does. It tells us to baptize, andto teach others the things that Jesus tells usto do.

Child 2: Looking around. I don’t see Jesushere telling us anything.

Adult 2: But he left an instruction manual forus.

Child 2: What’s that?

Leader: Still scanning the computer. Old-fashioned Google.

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Rally Day SkitI Don’t Have a Passport and I Don’t Know How



Adult 1: Holding up Bible. It’s all right here.“Love your neighbor, heal the sick, do goodto those who hate you, feed my sheep.”

Child 3: I don’t have any sheep.

Child 2: I don’t know anything about healingthe sick.

Adult 2: That’s why God gives many gifts—the gifts of teaching, preaching, healing,caring, singing, cooking, and giving.

Leader: Looking up from computer. That’sright. Do you know there are all kinds ofsermons and blogs about making disciples?This one says that we have different tasks,and should use our special abilities tomake disciples, wherever we go.

Child 4: Mr/s.__________? What is a disciple,anyway?

Leader: One moment. Looks back to computerscreen. This says that a disciple is someonewho places Jesus at the center of their lives.So whatever they do, they remember thatfirst, they belong to God. Steps away fromcomputer. Personally, I like to think of adisciple as someone who is growing infaith. To really be a disciple, we need tokeep working at it—by coming to church,reading the Bible, praying, and talkingabout faith, like we are right now.

Child 2: So I’m being a disciple just bycoming to Sunday school?

Leader: You bet! So, how can you go andmake disciples? Where do you go duringthe week?

Child 1: I go to school.

Child 3: I go to soccer practice and soccergames.

Child 4: I go to the park.

Adult 1: I go to work.

Adult 2: I go grocery shopping.

Leader: Invites others to add comments. Andhow could we make disciples in all theplaces that we go? How about at school?

Child 1: At school, some of the kids weremaking fun of a new student. I thought itwas mean, so I asked them to stop.

Leader: Did they?

Child 1: I didn’t think they would. I thoughtthey would just make fun of me instead,but they stopped.

Leader: Sounds like you used your special giftof caring to be a disciple and makedisciples.

Child 1: But I didn’t even talk about God!

Adult 1: But you followed the Golden Rulethat Jesus gave us. You treated others theway that you would like to be treated, andtaught other people to do the same thing.

Leader: Any other disciple stories?

Child 3: I had a soccer game yesterday.

Leader: I know how much you like soccer.Soccer playing is one of your specialabilities. How was the game?

Child 3: It was a close game, and peoplestarted getting angry about some of thecalls the ref was making, and not making.

Leader: That could get ugly. Did you getangry?

Child 3: It’s hard not to, when everyone elseseemed to be yelling, even some parents.

Leader: What did you do,___________?

Child 3: I glanced over at the next field,where some really little kids were playing.They hardly knew which way to kick theball, but they were having fun. And Istarted to laugh about our game, because itseemed a little silly for everybody to begetting upset about a soccer game. I justlike to play. And when my teammates sawme laughing, they cooled down at bit, andwe had more fun.

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Leader: Showing sportsmanship andcontrolling our tempers is certainly a wayto be a disciple. And your behaviorinfluenced others.

Child 4: I was at the park, too, because mysister was playing soccer. When it was timeto go home, I went to throw somethingaway, and the garbage cans wereoverflowing with water bottles and cansand all sorts of stuff.

Leader: Isn’t that where garbage is supposedto be?

Child 4: But so much of it could be recycled!So we filled a bag with cans and bottlesand put them in our recycling bin at home.Now Mom is going to call the city and seeabout getting recycling cans at the park.

Adult 3: That’s a great idea. I recycle athome, but I never thought about howmuch gets thrown away when I’m at thepark, or even at work.

Leader: Caring for God’s creation is anothergood way to love our neighbor and be adisciple.

Child 1: Mr/s_______________, is this really allwe have to do to make disciples, and teachothers about God?

Leader: If we live our lives as an example ofwhat a disciple is, others can be influencedto do the same thing.

Child 3: But how will they know why we doit?

Adult 2: I can tell you. Yesterday I wentgrocery shopping, a task I thoroughlydislike. The store was crowded, andeveryone was in a hurry. The person aheadof me was only buying a few things, butshe discovered that she was a few dollarsshort. The store clerk was impatient, andpeople behind me started grumbling, and Iwas in a hurry to get home ... So I pulledfive dollars out of my wallet and paid therest of her bill.

Child 1: Did she say thank you?

Adult 2: She said it many times. And after sheleft, the store clerk asked why I had donesuch a thing.

Child 2: What did you say?

Adult 2: I hadn’t really thought about why Idid it. It just seemed like a little thing that Icould do to help someone who was havinga difficult day. I said to the store clerk, “I’ma Christian, and God wants us to helpothers.”

Leader: That’s a wonderful example ofmaking disciples by teaching others.

Adult 1: Peter writes in his first letter that weshould “always be ready to give an answerwhen someone asks about the hope withinus.” That’s when we can tell others why wedo something, just like s/he did.

Leader: That’s right. We make disciples, bybeing disciples. We teach others thecommands of God, by living them outourselves. We stand ready to tell aboutJesus, by studying God’s word, so that whensomeone asks, we have an answer.

Child 2: See, you did know how to makedisciples!

Leader: With a little help from a lot of you.Maybe we all knew how to make disciples.We just didn’t know we knew.

Child 1: Then I guess we are all ready for ourmission to “Go and make disciples.”

Leader: Even without passports!

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We have a special opportunity to reach out tochildren and villagers in the Central AfricanRepublic (CAR), not far from Gabon. TheEvangelical Lutheran Church in the CAR isworking to develop schools and supply teach-ers to villages without schools. In some places,less than two out of 10 people know how toread.

The church is establishing 20 schools in villages that do not have any. It is formingparent associations and training teachers.Through the schools, the church will not onlyprovide the vital skills of reading, writing, andmath, but it will also be able to share thegospel of Christ.

We can be part of this teaching ministry bysending money to support the village educa-tion project in the Central African Republic.

$20 would support one student.

$855 would support a class

$3,250 would cover the cost to operate oneschool for the year. Anyone who paysschool taxes can tell you that this is aneducational bargain.

How much can your congregation donate? Caneach family contribute enough for one child?Does one Sunday school class wish to supportone student? As one of the wealthiest coun-tries on earth, we are privileged to haveenough to share with others.

As we give to others, wealso will give thanks for the

educational opportunitieswe have in this country.

Invite your Sunday schoolclasses and others in the

congregation to visit the Website www.elca.org/globalgifts/carschools.html to see photos ofthis project and find out more

about it.

Distribute envelopes with distinctive labels sothat participants can bring money in the fol-lowing weeks, or collect any offering broughttoday. You could create labels that simply sayVILLAGE EDUCATION PROJECT or use kid-friendly stickers or stamps to signify theenvelope as a special gift.

Congregations as asked to write a check madepayable to the ELCA with Village EducationProject, CAR on the memo line. Mail to ELCAOffice for Global Mission Support, 8765 W.Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631.

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Grow to Go… in the world!Village Education Project



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A Family Discipleship Calendar



As leaders, teachers, parents, and neighborswe have a joy-filled privilege and awesomeresponsibility of nurturing faith in others. Oneway we do that is by first sharing our ownfaith. We dwell in the midst of a wonderfullove story experienced daily as we encountera God who loves us so deeply that nothingcan separate us from that love. But we cannotsimply be content to let God’s love dead-endin our hearts. We need to let it be mirrored inour thoughts, words, and actions so others,too, come to know that love. Adults who nur-ture children and youth must be attentive tofostering the spirit-driven occasions wherechildren and youth are led to lead others intheir own style of witness.

For Lutherans, grappling with why and howwe witness to our faith begins with our under-standing of baptism where we are named andclaimed as God’s own. From that moment werecognize God’s activity in our life and ourplace in the on-going story of salvation andgrace.

A Quick Faith Sharing TipSometimes it is not easy to share our faithwith others. It may feel uncomfortable, inap-propriate or even “pushy” so we just ignorethe opportunity God has placed before us.When you find yourself facing such a reluc-tant-witness moment use Paul’s letter to theColossians (4:3-4) as a three-part prayer to “jump-start” a bold and confident invitation, beckoning others to a relationship with Christ.

At the same time pray for us aswell that God will open to us a doorfor the word, that we may declarethe mystery of Christ, for which Iam in prison, so that I may revealit clearly, as I should.Colossians 4:3-4

Pray for:1. The opportunity (that God will open to

us a door for the word)

2. An open reception (that we may declarethe mystery of Christ)

3. Clarity and confidence (so that I mayreveal it clearly, as I should)

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Your Role as Witness-Bearer



l Over time, ask the class to respond to thesame prompters.

l Introduce the class to age-appropriateChristian music.

l Carry your Bible to church and open it!

l

l

l

In day-to-day encounters

l Invite a neighbor, friend, or relative tochurch with you.

l Wear a cross, prayer bracelet or Christiansymbol on your keychain.

l Don’t be shy about ending a casual conversation by asking if you might prayfor the other person.

l Use volunteer or hobby activities as a timeto bring God into the conversation.

l Acknowledge and verbalize God’s activityin creation, as you listen to other’s “sto-ries,” in current affairs, and in times ofsadness or grief.

l Chronicle your faith journey. It doesn’tneed to be linear. Keep a small notebookor your palm-pilot at hand to jot downrandom “faith thoughts”: questions,memories, occasions where God’s presenceis felt, fears, disappointments, prayers.

l

l

l

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Faith Sharing Opportunities Here is a starter list of entry points for faithsharing. Add to the list and share it with others!

At home

l Love, encourage, support, and listen!

l Regular family devotional moments

l Use the ordinary rhythms and realities ofdaily life as a time to celebrate God’s presence.

l Hold the family accountable for thedescriptors they use to name others or totell jokes.

l Use the discipleship calendar found onpage 27.

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With those you teach

l Be intentional about setting aside time forprayer (use Heart Ignite available fromwww.youthandfamilyinstitute.org/).

l Encourage the class to “bring a friend.”

l Be willing to incorporate these twoprompters in every lesson:l where you saw God working in yourlife this weekl where you saw God working in theworld this week



Akaloo, from Greek (akoloethein)means “to follow.”

“Follow me,” Jesus said to the first disciples.He invited them—not just once—but all alongthe way:

l “Follow me” (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14,Luke 5:27, John 1:43).

l “Follow me, and I will make you fish forpeople” (Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17).

l “Take up [your] cross and follow me”(Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34).

l “My sheep hear my voice. I know them,and they follow me” (John 10:27).

l “Whoever serves me must follow me”(John 12:26).

“Follow me,” Jesus still says today. He invitesus—not just once—but all along the way,every day of our lives. He invites us to followhim on the journey of discipleship.

Like the first disciples, we sometimes lose ourway on this journey. We ignore Christ’s dailyinvitation. We don’t stay focused on the onewe follow. We get off track.

Christians of all ages and times and places,however, have used faith practices as a com-pass on the journey of discipleship. The AdultFaith Practices course in the 2007 release ofnew Akaloo materials includes a small sam-ple of practices Christians have used andfound meaningful over time. There are faithpractices you can do on your own, practicesyou can share with others, and practices likecorporate worship, where you join the com-munion of saints in their songs of ceaselesspraise. Some of these practices are morefamiliar, while others are not.

Many people are already doing a faith practiceregularly, without realizing it. Some needencouragement to keep faith practices going intheir daily lives. Others never have beeninvolved in any kind of faith practice.Beginners as well as long-time “practitioners”can dive right into faith practices using thestep-by-step coaching in each lesson of thecourse!

People who do faith practices regularly buildthe practices right into their daily or weeklyroutines. That is why the adult handbook forthe course contains Faith Practices cards. Thesecards serve as reminders to take time for faithpractices. The size of a regular business card,they can be placed in a spot where they can beseen throughout the day and the week.

Faith practices are opportunities, not require-ments. They help us stay on track. They help usgrow in faith, serve God, and follow Jesus. Theyare gifts for us to use, to stay focused on Christ.Through faith practices we constantly orientourselves along the journey of discipleship.Through faith practices we are renewed andequipped to reach out to others and tell thestory. Our congregations are renewed andequipped for outreach and evangelism as well.

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Akaloo and the Practices of Faith

Augsburg Fortress Publishers has launched Akaloo, aprogram of intentional discipleship that covers the entirelifespan, children through adults! Visit www.akaloo.org

2 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

9 September 14: Holy Cross Day _______________ _______________________________________________

16 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

23 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

30 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

7 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

14 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

21 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

28 Reformation Sunday ____________________ _______________________________________________

4 All Saints Sunday; November 10: Martin Luther’s Birthday _______________________________________________

11 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

18 November 22: Day of Thanksgiving ____________ _______________________________________________

25 Christ the King Sunday ___________________ _______________________________________________

2 First Sunday in Advent ____________________ _______________________________________________

9 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

16 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

23 December 25: Nativity of Our Lord ____________ _______________________________________________

30 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

6 Epiphany of Our Lord _____________________ _______________________________________________

13 Baptism of Our Lord _____________________ _______________________________________________

20 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

27 February 2: Presentation of Our Lord ___________ _______________________________________________

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Grow to Go2007-2008 Planning calendarUtilize these pages to plan and schedule your congregation’s activities and offerings in Christian education and discipleship. The right side of the calendar is a place for thematic notes, reminders, and connections to other areas ofcongregational life. Complete the calendar before distributing it to teachers, staff, and other congregational leaders.

DATE NOTES, REMINDERS, and CONNECTIONS

Septe

mber

2007

Octob

er 20

07No

vember

2007

Decem

ber 20

07Ja

nuary

2008

3 Transfiguration of Our Lord; February 6: Ash Wednesday _______________________________________________

10 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

17 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

24 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

2 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

9 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

16 Palm Sunday _________________________ _______________________________________________

23 Resurrection of Our Lord; Annunciation of Our Lord __ _______________________________________________

30 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

6 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

13 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

20 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

27 May 1: Ascension of Our Lord _______________ _______________________________________________

4 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

11 Day of Pentecost ______________________ _______________________________________________

18 The Holy Trinity _______________________ _______________________________________________

25 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

1 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

8 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

15 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

22 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

29 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

6 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

13 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

20 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

27 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

3 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

10 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

17 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

24 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

31 _________________________________ _______________________________________________

Februa

ry20

08zM

arch2

008

April

2008

May

2008

June

2008

July

2008

Augu

st20

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