Against the Tide, Towards the Kingdom is the story of the Urban Vision community in New Zealand. Written by Jenny & Justin Duckworth (Bishop of Wellington), this book recounts the story of a group of young Christian adults who over the last fifteen years have relocated to the colorful ends of... See more
Posts Tagged ‘community’
Recommended Resources: Against The Tide
How To: Helping Young People Process the Christchurch Tragedy
Friday the 15th of March was a very sad day in our nation. Many of us are struggling even to know where to start in processing the brutal murder of so many of our Muslim neighbours.
Our interdenominational national youth leaders have put together this simple resource to help you... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Paying It Forward Letters
Paying It Forward Letters - paying it forward by writing anonymous letters to strangers with Bible verses, poems, quotes, and words of encouragement.
Our youth really got into this! The awesome thing was that, through doing this, they grasped that the good news - that they have been hearing... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Random Acts
Inform your youth beforehand that you’ll be taking time to pray and then act on what God leads you to do for others in pairs. It could be helping someone with their groceries, paying for someone’s coffee in advance, praying for someone who needs healing, encouraging someone or simply sitting... See more
Young Adults: Hospitality
Hospitality – How we welcome guests and new people says a lot about who we are. How could we recover the art of great hospitality in our groups and create regular times to eat and hang out together over food?
A study on Genesis 18:1-8 and Matthew 25:34-40 for young adults from the Society... See more
Young Adults: Keeping It Local
Keeping It Local - What does Christ’s incarnation teach us about engaging in our local neighbourhoods, committing deeply to the people around us, and transforming our communities? What would happen if we committed to our churches, each other and to our neighbours for the long haul?
A study on... See more
Young Adults: Identity
Identity - The personal identity we have as followers of Jesus, and the group identity we have by being part of a Christian community.
What makes us who we are and what makes us different from the people and culture around us?
A study on Genesis 17:1-16 and Acts 9:1-16 for young adults... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: The $500 Challenge
Raise some funds for a organization that really helps people.
You could produce a play, a concert, do a long walk, run or bike together for sponsorship, run a fair or creative market.
From "Look Out! Twenty-one Ways to be Outward Looking with your Youth Group", developed by the Social... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Playing Around
Along with your youth leaders, run a fun games, crafts & face painting afternoon for young local kids.
It’s a great way to meet and reach out to your community.
From "Look Out! Twenty-one Ways to be Outward Looking with your Youth Group", developed by the Social Justice Unit of the... See more
Young Adults: Lonely Planet
Many young adults can feel lonely and isolated, even when they seem to have plenty of friends. How do we help our faith communities to be places that embrace the lonely, while also encouraging deep and honest friendships?
A study on 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 for young adults from the Society of... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Second Chance
You can make a difference in your local school! Here are a couple of ideas:
Does your school have recycling? How could they not have recycling?! Campaign in your school to get recycling. If necessary, set up a system for them.
Run a campaign in your school to promote 'restorative justice',... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Chalk it up
Draw chalk messages, poetry or art around your community or school that gently or quirkily helps people to think about a social justice issue or inspires them to live differently.
From "Look Out! Twenty-one Ways to be Outward Looking with your Youth Group", developed by the Social Justice Unit... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Film the Past
Past ways are powerful!
Make it your group project to visit rest homes with a list of questions and ask the residents about how they coped before the age of the refrigerator, cheap clothes, and plastic bags.
Share the results to inspire your school, community or church to live more... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Buy Nothing Week
Live simply...
...so others can simply live.
Organize a ‘buy nothing’ week (or day) at your school, church or youth group to encourage people to consume less and think about how much we spend on ourselves.
From "Look Out! Twenty-one Ways to be Outward Looking with your Youth... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Join the Movement
What big issues do you care about most?
Ring up an organization that inspires you, explain who you are and ask how you can help. You might like to try Amnesty International, Forrest and Bird, the Global Poverty Project, Green Peace, or the Social Justice wing of the Anglican... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Cookin’ Up Some Love
Does your youth group love food? (What group doesn't?!) Here are a few ideas to use their love of food to bless their local community.
Does your church have a freezer of pre-prepared meals ready to go for families that have a crisis and need some time off cooking? If so, spend an evening with... See more
Social Justice & Outreach: Love your neighbour
Looking for ideas to help your youth group be a blessing to their local community?
Why not give one of these a try:
Bake together as a youth group. Take your neighbours a plate of baking and start a conversation.
Get into a team, grab some gardening tools and offer to do outdoor work... See more
Hooks: Prof Ann Eyeland
These are fun activities that help young people explore topics around loneliness and our need for relationships. The name 'Ann Eyeland' plays on and discredits the idea "I am an island"
Meet Professor Ann Eyeland
'The word is out. Professor Ann Eyeland, the recluse from the South Pole... See more
Community Builders: Talk Sparkers just for fun
Choose from these questions and sentence completions to get young people talking with each other.
- What three things would you put in a time capsule that your descendants would dig up in 100 years?
- Which one of Superman's powers would you choose for yourself?... See more
Community Builders: Talk Sparkers about Family
Choose from these questions and sentence completions to get young people talking about their family.
- What do you like best about your family?
- Finish this sentence: "One thing I wish my parents knew (or understood) about me is..." How can you help your parents... See more