Encouraging mission and ministry across the diocese of York
Unit 2 - Worship
Session 4 – Word and World (2)
Participant’s Notes
The aim of session four is:
To help participants think further about the sermon slot and explore ways to help the congregation to make links between the bible and the world.
During the session we will begin to examine:
Ø The use of the sermon slot
Ø How to help ‘read’ and interpret the bible
Ø Approaches to leading a ‘reflection on the scriptures’
Read the opening words from Psalm 119 and allow a few moments silence for personal refection.
‘With all my heart I try to obey you. Don't let me break your commands. I have taken your words to heart so I would not sin against you. Lord, you should be praised. Teach me your demands. My lips will tell about all the laws you have spoken. I enjoy obeying your demands, and I will not forget your word. Open my eyes to see the miracles in your teachings’. (Psalm 119 vs 10-13,16,18. CEV)
What is a sermon?
Referring to Resource Sheet 1, decide which of the statements you agree and disagree with.
Review together your definitions formulated at the end of last week – were there any changes you wished to make as a result of further reflection and experience last Sunday?
Do the following statements affect your definitions?
‘The purpose of preaching is to enable the live encounter between the word of God – the Bible and the people of God – this congregation’
John Waller (2005) How to prepare and preach a sermon
‘The sermon is place where the scriptures are opened up and provide light for reflection on the word of God as it speaks the here and now’
Tim Stratford (2002) Using Common Worship A Service of the Word
Imaginative approaches to the sermon slot
In Common Worship the interpretation of a sermon is much wider than the traditional view. They outline a number of possibilities:
· The use of drama, interviews, discussion and audio visuals
· Having more than one person taking part
· Dividing the congregation into groups, for all or part of the time (for example, getting people talking to those near them about how what is being said applies to them)
· Preaching the sermon in two parts at different points in the service
· Time for silent – or guided - -reflection or meditation after the sermon
New Patterns of Worship (2002) Archbishop’ Council
Imaginative ways to engage with Scripture
This allows us to take a much wider approach to communicating the scriptures, allowing them in part to speak for themselves, helping people to hear and receive them in new and invigorating ways. What other creative ways of ways of engaging the congregation in bible readings can you think of?
Look together at the suggestions summarised on Resources Sheet 2.
Resources which support the ‘Sermon Slot’
You may be able to add others to this list, but they might include:
· Susan Sayers Living Stones material, Years A, B, and C
· Roots Worship and learning for the whole church magazine published
bi-monthly, with an additional on-line resource
· Scripture Union The All-Age Lectionary Services books which contain 60 all-age service outlines that make full use of the Lectionary Bible readings in Common Worship
· Jane Williams Lost for Words: A Sermon Resource for the Anglican Three-year Cycle SPCK
· John Pridmore The Word is very near you – Sundays Canterbury Press
· Nick Fawcett Sermon Hooks: Themed Ideas for Those Preparing Talks Kevin Mayhew
· Church Times – weekly lectionary reading reflections
Web resources
www.biblesociety.org.uk
www.barnabasinchurches.org.uk
www.rootsontheweb.com
www.scriptureunion.org.uk
www.godlyplay.org.uk
www.textweek.com
Alongside the commentaries, books which comment on the bible or lectionary readings which might be useful include:
Tom Wright’s XXXX for Everyone series (New Testament books) SPCK
John Goldingday’s XXXX for Everyone (Old Testament books) Westminster Knox Press
William Barclay, Daily Study Bible St Andrew Press
Other daily bible reading notes (e.g. Scripture Union, Bible Reading Fellowship).
Revising good practice
Look at Resource Sheet 3 and go through the good practice suggestions.
Review
The purpose of this session was to begin to think about how to handle the Sermon Slot, when there is no authorised preacher available.
The key points included:
· The sermon slot should be used to reflect with the congregation on one or more of the bible readings used in the service and to make a link or bridge between the words of scripture and our everyday lives.
· A wide variety of approaches and methods can be used, which can involve not only the worship leader, but other members of the congregation.
· The worship leader should strive to gain a good understanding of the passages for the day, asking critical questions about the text and its meaning for the people today and drawing on good quality resources to inform their thinking.
Linkwork (for Session 5)
Next week is about music, so please take note of the music used in the service(s) you attend on Sunday, to notice how you feel about it and to ask other members of the congregation about the music used in the church.
Session 4 Resource sheet 1
Also called 'homily', a sermon is a lecture based upon scripture or personal experiences.
‘Rehearsing before God and the congregation the saving acts of God in Christ’
‘Proclaiming the Good News’
‘Expounding the bible’
‘Sharing personal opinion about life and faith’
‘Teaching about the bible and the Christian faith’
‘Persuading the people to believe what the preacher believes’
‘Preaching is the manifestation of the incarnate Word, from the written word, through the spoken word’
‘It has been said in various places that good preaching is intended to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable
Faith and Worship Local Preachers Course Preaching the Good News (1993) p2-3
Session 4 Resource sheet 2
Imaginative approaches to the Sermon Slot
Exploring the big picture…..Rather than using short passages listen together to a complete letter, a story (such as the story of Abraham – Genesis 12- 19) or even a whole book (e.g. the book of Ruth). You can split the sections between different readers, use different versions of the text or spread the reading across the service, interspersed with hymns, prayers and responses. / Telling the story……..
Tell the account from the perspective of one of the characters in the story, or from someone standing on the side-lines (e.g. one of the guests at the Wedding of Cana, or a soldier witnessing David’s defeat of Goliath). Try telling it from the perspective of someone normally cast as the baddie, (e.g. one of the Pharisee or Herod) Alternatively retell the story, translating it into a contemporary setting.
Interviews……..
You might choose to interview one of the characters in the narrative, unfolding the story as you go along. This requires a good understanding of the wider biblical context of the passage and the world of the story. Again you might spread the interview through the service. You could also interview a member of the congregation or a guest for whom the passage holds a special significance (e.g. a mission worker, someone who experienced healing) / Drama…..
Similar to story-telling, but more active and visual in approach. There are versions of the bible in dramatic form and scripts are available in books and sometimes on-line (they may require a copyright and performance fee). Alternatively you can write your own script. Be realistic about space, props, and the amount of lines people can be expected to learn. Using a narrator and others who mime or add short chorus lines can be simpler, but still effective.
Using closed questions……
These are questions where the leader knows the answer. They help to encourage active thinking and reinforce the content of the passage. Closed questions can take the form of quizzes, games, questions and answers with prizes or forfeits, treasure hunts. Questions might be about the passage or a related story, event, or incident (e.g. questions global warming or the geography of the local area) / Using open questions………
Allows for deeper thinking about the passage with no right and wrong answers. They enable people to make connections between the bible passage and their own lives or contexts. Try using the ‘I wonder’ method, which has become popular as a result of Godly Play, for example ‘I wonder how Peter felt, when he found himself sinking?’, I wonder which character you might align yourself with in the story?, I wonder where we’d find Judas today?
Teaching…….
which includes explaining the history and context of the passage, looking at its theological or ethical meaning and applying it to contemporary life. If the leader is knowledgeable, skilled at drawing on their study, experience and resources and a good communicator this can be very effective. / Facilitating discussion groups…….
Invite people to discuss the passage in small groups, perhaps offering one or two focus questions. Think about how you manage this logistically and how will receive and handle the feedback. The facilitator needs to have a good understanding of the passage. Discussion groups should focus on sharing insights not ignorance.
Art, icons, music and film…………..
Can all be used to add another dimension to the bible reading. Many of the great artists have depicted bible stories and these can be printed out or projected onto a screen. Music and film from all genres can stimulate reflection on a passage or theme. Allow people time to reflect quietly and to share any insights which arise. / Using ancient meditative techniques……….
Approaches to reading scripture such as Lectio Divina or Ignatian practices can help people to enter prayerfully into the narrative. These work well with short passages, with good story lines or colourful description (e.g. the parables or the psalms), but can be used for any text.
Drawn, in part, from Anna De Lange (2011) How to engage with scripture ch. 3 Grove Books and
Tim Stratford (2002) A Service of the Word p92 Church House Publishing
Session 4 Resource sheet 3
Making best use of the sermon slot – Tips for good practice.
· Give yourself at least a week and preferably longer to prepare this section of the service. It is worthy of considerable attention.
· Read the passages slowly, carefully and prayerfully. Using a meditative practice such as lectio divina or Ignation imaginative reading may help you see the text from another perspective.
· Ask what the text meant to its original hearer and what it might be saying to you and your congregation today?
· Use a good commentary and biblical dictionary to help you understand more about the nature and theology of the passage.
· Ask an authorised, experienced preacher if they can suggest or lend you good books or point you in the direction of helpful resources or website addresses. Ask them to clarify or explain any aspects you are struggling to understand.
· Consider what resources, both human and material you can draw upon. If other people are to be involved in drama, story-telling interviews they also need time to prepare. If using ready prepared resources or material, adapt it to your own circumstance and needs.
· Ensure there is a full script, at least before you begin – even if you don’t actually read from it on the day. Off the cuff or bullet point sermons can often be more about entertainment that spiritual development. Remember the words you use are important and will carry theological nuances. You are more likely to use the right ones if you have chosen them in advance.
· Ask what is the good news we have shared during the sermon slot today and also what challenge have we been left with or what difference will it make tomorrow?
· Be sensitive to expectations of the congregation about the length of the sermon. Most people find they can speak about 150 words per minute. Active approaches such as drama, quizzes, questions or discussion often take longer than you expect them to.
· Think about the practicalities: where you will lead this part of the service from, where to put the script, how people will see and hear, where you will keep visual aids or resources.
· Pray before you start and then enjoy the opportunity to explore together God’s word to you and the congregation at that time.
Find someone you trust in the congregation to give you some feedback on the content and delivery and use this to develop your practice in the future.
York Diocese RPA Scheme Unit 2 Worship Session 4 – Word and World (2) Page 1