Bubbles W DEPARTMENT NEWS
hen you think of bubbles, especially when they are blown, it makes you smile. When I was younger, I used to enjoy playing with bubbles. I have happy memories of playing with them. It was fun to blow them in the air and watch them, and they moved freely, gracefully, and transparently. Bubbles have this protective quality about them; it protects and preserves what's inside yet prevents things from the outside. Interestingly enough, a bubble consists of three layers. A bubble always attempts to form a sphere because surface tension pulls liquid inward. When light hits the different layers, there is interference causing it to appear colorful. In a global pandemic, when the world is partially closed, we cannot gather in the ways we used to do so. Our lives have changed; the world has turned upside down. Some major questions young people are asking are: • What does the future of church look like? • How do we stay connected to God? • How do we still maintain a sense of community? • How do we stay missional?
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Alberta Adventist News
To remain relevant and meaningful, we have to develop new and innovative ways to reach people. Perhaps the tension on the surface is pulling us inward, closer together in the form of bubbles. Perhaps the light of Christ, as it hits the layers of people, will cause us to become more colorful and multicultural in our bubbles. Maybe the Answer Is Bubbles? We have come up with a concept called “Bubbles,” which is a small-group initiative that helps the youth/young adults stay safe and provide resources to them amid COVID-19. Why Bubbles? The government has asked us to spend time in our social bubbles, which is a group of five-to-ten people with whom we spend most of our personal time, limiting the spread and transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
How Do We Make Bubbles Work? We need a facilitator or leader who will help guide the smallgroup bubble. The facilitator will commit to helping lead out in spiritual and social activities online, through Zoom,
DECEMBER 2020
or in-person, while safely practicing social distancing. There can also be two coleaders who are available in case the primary leader is not.
How Frequently Do Bubbles Meet? Bubble groups will meet at least once a week via Zoom. You may also opt to meet for a missional project by practicing social distancing safely. What Helps Make Bubbles Grow and Flow? There are main directions that help Bubble Small Groups grow and flow: UP For bubbles to move up in a direction towards God and spiritual/heavenly things, there are activities the group can do. These activities will help keep the small group spiritually connected to God and empowered. In a global pandemic, there are so many things that help keep the youth distracted from God, seeing how we cannot freely worship at church because of the risk and spread of the virus. Counters to this include: • Devotionals for the social bubble gathering • Times of prayer • Creating prayer partners • Watching inspirational
