Bible study four

Reconciliation and Justice.

You will need

• Bibles
• Flipchart and pens
• Slips of blue, pink, green, yellow, and red paper
• Snacks such as fresh fruit, fresh vegetables with dip, cake, crackers, juice, water, etc.(see activity below)
• Small plates or napkins
• Tablecloth (optional)
• Bible study Factsheet 4

Introduction to theme

There is injustice in the use and distribution of the world’s natural resources. God’s plan of redemption is for the entire creation. People of faith are called to be part of God’s ministry of reconciliation and justice.

As the group arrive give each one a small slip of paper. Use the following colours in this ratio (numbers are based on there being 20 people in your group Adjust the numbers proportionately depending on the expected size of the group):

• Blue: 12 slips 
• Pink: 2 
• Red: 1 
• Green: 2 
• Yellow: 3 

Do not explain the reason for the paper slips at this time.

Begin with prayer. Review the first three sessions. Introduce the theme.

Ask the following question, listing the responses on a flipchart

• What are the natural resources upon which you depend during your daily life? 

In small groups choose two resources from your list, and think about how your life would be different if your supply of this resource were: 

1. temporarily unavailable?
2. permanently depleted?
3. more expensive?

Prepare in advance a buffet table of snack foods. Although there should be choices of food, you do not need large quantities. If you want to simplify the buffet, the crackers and water are essential plus one more desirable treat, such as cake. You may wish to have the food covered with a tablecloth to conceal it as people enter the room. Remove the tablecloth and ask the person with the slip of red paper to come to the buffet table and fill a plate or napkin with snacks.

Encourage that person to try some of everything even if he/she is not hungry. Then invite that person to take the most comfortable seat in the room, right next to the snack table, even if you have to ask someone else to move. When that person has finished making selections, remove one item from the table and invite those with yellow papers to come up and help themselves and then go to their seats. (If you have chosen to provide a simplified snack table, do not remove an item at this time.)

Next, remove everything except the crackers and water, and invite those with green papers to come forward and help themselves and return to their seats. Finally, remove all except a few broken bits of crackers and a small amount of water and invite the rest of the group to come up. While they are up, remove their chairs from the room so that they will have to sit on the floor.

Note: During the simulation game, there may be requests or even demands that the food be shared more equally. Allow the group to discuss the issue without any interference from the leader until a resolution is reached:

Then ask: 

• How did you resolve your disagreement? 
• Were you satisfied with the resolution? 
• Why or why not? 

Explore with the group how they felt during this activity.

The distribution of food at your snack table roughly represents the distribution of material resources including food, water, housing, fuel, and technology in the world. The person with the red paper represented the residents of the United States and Canada; the yellow - Europe; green - Latin America; blue - Asia; pink - Africa.


Ask these questions: 

1. How did you feel about the distribution of food and chairs? 
2. What changes do you think should have been made in the
   distribution?

Read aloud the article 'Distribution of Resources' on Factsheet 4.

Group question: 

• What does this inequality of resources have to do with the abuses of the environment which have led to global warming?

Use Factsheet 4. Ask a volunteer to read the article 'Global Warming and the Earth’s Bounty'.

Break into small groups and explore the following questions:

• What issues of injustice are caused by global warming? 
• What national or international conflicts might result from
  these issues? 
• How are Christians called to respond to the needs of those
  who are suffering?

Bring the group back together and share discussions.

God has a plan for the redemption of all of the creation. People of faith have a calling to be a part of that ministry of reconciliation.

Read Colossians 1:15-20 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.
Questions in small groups: 

• What is the good news for creation? 
• What is the human role in the redemption process?

Close by reading the following unison prayer:

Creator of the Universe, your creation is too wonderful and great for our small and finite human minds to comprehend.

We find that the only response to the magnificence of creation we can muster is humble awe. O God help us to realize our smallness in the face of a vast universe.

Help us to join in the rest of your creation in singing your praises
to eternity.

Amen.