Recognised Parish Assistants
Unit 2: Mission Set
Session 1 ~ The God of Mission
Blu tac
Flipchart / Welcome & Notices
Health & Safety
If they do not already know each other, ask members of the group to introduce themselves briefly.
5 minutes
Our purpose
We are going to be using the mission-shaped intro course produced by the national Fresh Expressions team, but we will be adding 15 minutes about faith-sharing, and some linkwork, each time.
What is God like?
In Unit 1 we did an exercise looking at what God is like, and a meditation on Rublev’s icon to think about God as Trinity. Another picture of God as Trinity could be the following:
In a way each person of the Trinity is a window into the mystery of God. The Trinity is like looking through all three windows at the same time. And when we do, we see God at home playing jazz together. Each member of the trio plays his own instrument; they are playing the same piece of music, yet following their own theme. They listen to each other, they allow each other to take the lead, they harmonise with one another. The music is amazing, overwhelming, and life-giving and as you watch and listen, you are invited to join in, to experience and to the share in the music-making.
· The inner life of the Trinity is dynamic – a life of mutual love, generosity and creativity
· God’s activity in the world overflows in love from who he is
· God’s activity in the world and universe is generous, creative and nurturing
· Where there is brokenness and destruction God’s activity is redeeming
Group Task
Select three pieces of flipchart paper. In large letters write one word on each:
1. Creative
2. Nurturing
3. Redeeming
Blu-tac them on different walls of the room and ask members of the group to spend 3 minutes writing up their responses to the three words using their own everyday words.
Then ask the group to come together to look at what they have written and to feedback.
Then either in 2/3’s or as a whole group share observations.
Key point: In our beautiful, broken, needy, inspiring and sinful world God’s mission is to be creative, nurturing and redeeming. He longs for men and women to be reconciled to himself and to each other.
10 minutes
Linkwork
1) Spend an hour walking around your area. Imagine what Jesus would do recreate, nurture or redeem people or situations in your community. Prepare to feedback in the next session.
2) The msi course suggests participants keep a private journal of what God might be saying to them over the weeks. Do encourage them to have a go – with writing, drawing or even a video diary.
mission-shaped intro session 1 ‘Rediscovering mission – what that means for the church.’
At the end of the unit, remind everyone of the Linkwork.
RPA Unit 2 Mission Session 1 3 | Page