Significant Words - Commitment
Significant Words - Session Two
This was the second in a series of three sessions conducted for the younger D-Group, a group of lively junior secondary college students, from the Ballarat Family Church of Christ. The first significant word was Profile. In this session I explored the word
Commitment.
Again I explained my purpose was to commend to them Jesus and encourage them to follow him each day.
Set in Dublin in the 1990's, The Commitments follows the story of a group of determined Irish teenagers who are energised by their natural talents and zeal fro 'soul' music.
Dynamic Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), an enthusiastic would-be talent promoter with an incomparable desire to introduce soul music into the small community of Barrytown, enlists the assistance of his melodically adept friends, Outspan (Glen Hansard) and Derek (Kenneth mcCluskey), and the three embark on a journey to develop The Commitments, The world's hardest working band.
Undiscovered talents portray an assortment of vibrant and fascinating characters in the film and greatly contribute to the exposure of the unfamiliar style of 'Irish Soul Music'. (Adapted from http:/www.girl.com.au/the_commitments_dvd.htm)
The film closes with the band breaking up with the members finding it too difficult to work together.
Activity # 1 Reef Knot
A long piece of rope is required and the more participants the better. Spread the members of the group evenly along the length of the rope. The ask them to grasp the rope with both hands. At that point explain that they just been glued to the rope with super glue and under no circumstances are they to let go.
The task is to tie a reef knot with the rope.
A reef knot, by the way, is left over right and right over left, but you don't tell them that. It's amazing how many groups get themselves into a glorious muddle before asking whether anyone knows what a reef knot is.
When the group reaches a point of frustration where they decide to ask for my assistance I take a smaller piece of rope to demonstrate a reef knot .
(Adapted from Valerie Stewart, 1990, The David Solution, Gower Publishing, UK)
This is a great exercise to demonstrate a number aspects of commitment such as overcoming obstacles, frustration and uncertainty, and yet holding on to fulfill a commitment.
Activity # 2 Definition, Situation and Challenge
This exercise generates further discussion and real life examples of commitment.
Along with the stories generally an opportunity arises where you can ask, "What if you can't keep a commitment, through sickness or your family has arranged another activity?"
The final step in the discussion after listening to the stories is to present a challenge. In this case I asked the group members to complete a Profile (See Session One) and to bring their own Bible for the third and final session.
The Scripture Lesson
God is committed to each of us and He demonstrated this through Jesus.
For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
And again,
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
There are many instances in the Bible where God declares His faithfulnes, His commitment toward us. It is in His very nature to be committed to us seeking our response.
This was the second in a series of three sessions conducted for the younger D-Group, a group of lively junior secondary college students, from the Ballarat Family Church of Christ. The first significant word was Profile. In this session I explored the word
Commitment.
Again I explained my purpose was to commend to them Jesus and encourage them to follow him each day.
Set in Dublin in the 1990's, The Commitments follows the story of a group of determined Irish teenagers who are energised by their natural talents and zeal fro 'soul' music.
Dynamic Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), an enthusiastic would-be talent promoter with an incomparable desire to introduce soul music into the small community of Barrytown, enlists the assistance of his melodically adept friends, Outspan (Glen Hansard) and Derek (Kenneth mcCluskey), and the three embark on a journey to develop The Commitments, The world's hardest working band.
Undiscovered talents portray an assortment of vibrant and fascinating characters in the film and greatly contribute to the exposure of the unfamiliar style of 'Irish Soul Music'. (Adapted from http:/www.girl.com.au/the_commitments_dvd.htm)
The film closes with the band breaking up with the members finding it too difficult to work together.
Activity # 1 Reef Knot
A long piece of rope is required and the more participants the better. Spread the members of the group evenly along the length of the rope. The ask them to grasp the rope with both hands. At that point explain that they just been glued to the rope with super glue and under no circumstances are they to let go.
The task is to tie a reef knot with the rope.
A reef knot, by the way, is left over right and right over left, but you don't tell them that. It's amazing how many groups get themselves into a glorious muddle before asking whether anyone knows what a reef knot is.
When the group reaches a point of frustration where they decide to ask for my assistance I take a smaller piece of rope to demonstrate a reef knot .
(Adapted from Valerie Stewart, 1990, The David Solution, Gower Publishing, UK)
This is a great exercise to demonstrate a number aspects of commitment such as overcoming obstacles, frustration and uncertainty, and yet holding on to fulfill a commitment.
Activity # 2 Definition, Situation and Challenge
This exercise generates further discussion and real life examples of commitment.
- How would you define 'commitment'? (Record response on butchers' paper)
- Tell me a bout a situation where you have displayed or demonstrated commitment e.g. in sport, with the family, at school or in your part-time work.
Along with the stories generally an opportunity arises where you can ask, "What if you can't keep a commitment, through sickness or your family has arranged another activity?"
The final step in the discussion after listening to the stories is to present a challenge. In this case I asked the group members to complete a Profile (See Session One) and to bring their own Bible for the third and final session.
The Scripture Lesson
God is committed to each of us and He demonstrated this through Jesus.
For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
And again,
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
There are many instances in the Bible where God declares His faithfulnes, His commitment toward us. It is in His very nature to be committed to us seeking our response.
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