Bubbles

When 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?

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 small-group bubble. The facilitator will commit to helping lead out in spiritual and social activities online, through Zoom, or in-person, while safely practicing social distancing. There can also be two co-leaders 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 messages, sermons, and video content together online • Online-creative prayer event • Having online worship gatherings • Meeting while social distancing to pray and encourage one another • Zoom discipleship meetings • Instagram Live Q&A sessions on spiritual/current trending topics • Utilizing YouTube to create messages, videos, skits, and worship material • Daily “devo” time for the group and online community

IN

This global pandemic has been challenging for many people to socialize. We have been asked to stay inside and not meet in large-group settings. This has caused many people to feel socially isolated. People have felt trapped in a bubble. For Bubble members to feel and stay connected, here are several examples:

• Regular Zoom calls • Houseparty app • WhatsApp group chats • Facebook parties • Provide online support groups • Nerf challenges with social distancing • Online dinner parties • Use TikTok to do one-minute devotionals • Use Kahoot to stay engaged as a social bubble • Use Twitch to engage with youth • Host Netflix parties

OUT

Many have been asking, “How do we do ministry in a global pandemic? How do we still participate in active community outreach safely while practicing social distancing? ”

• Collect and distribute sanitary kits (facial tissue, toilet paper, paper towel, cleaning products, gloves, diapers, toiletries, feminine products) • Schedule a day to sanitize door handles of businesses • Create pop-up sacred spaces in your community for small groups of people • Deliver inspirational letters to mailboxes • Neighborhood mini-concert • Outside obstacle course for children • Virtual flash mob with positive messages • Outside exercise/fitness classes • Online babysitting through Zoom • Create positive video content for online viewership • Create a podcast that helps youth/young adults stay engaged and connected to the church • Use Snapchat and Instagram to create engaging content for youth

We are inviting all churches to participate in creating missional small groups that form social bubbles. The hope is that these social bubbles help reduce the spread of COVID-19 transmission while drawing people closer to God and each other and continuing to inspire and encourage a missional spirit in the midst of a global pandemic.

Dr. Lyle Notice | Youth Director Alberta Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church