APRIL 2022
THE BIBLE— WORDS FOR LIFE INSIDE WHY BOTHER WITH BIBLE ENGAGEMENT?
LEARNING HOW TO RE-READ THE BIBLE
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
EDITORIAL
Reading The Bible Through a Different Lens
O
ver the past month I have lost count of the number of young people I have sat with and listened to as they talked about the world and what the future holds for them. I have heard many worries—both personal, and for their community, country and world. And similar worries are widespread among people of all ages as we face threats of Covid, divisions in our community, and war on the international stage. As I read my Bible, I have found I am reading it through a different lens. I have found comfort and strength in the way God was faithful no matter the circumstances in which his people found themselves. It has been a comforting reminder of the fact that He is also faithful to us and that He has our future in his hands. Here in SUNZ, we want the Bible to be relevant and vital to the children and young adults we work with too. The Bible is a very important part of anyone’s faith journey and the way we engage with it shapes our relationship with God and the way we live.
This issue of the Adventure looks at what the Bible means for us and how it speaks to us in good times and hard. Check out what some of our summer campers have to say about the Bible on page 12 and read what Jay Brantley from our Beyond Experience leadership development programme says in Light for the Path on page 24. And as you read, please pray for our children and young people. They need our prayers over this time. May these words from Psalm 9:9-10 be true for them and for us too. Hei pā teko anō a Ihowā mō te tangata e tūkinotia ana, hei pā teko i ngā wā o te hē. Ā ka whakawhirinaki ki a koe te hunga e mātau ana ki tōu ingoa: nō te mea e kore e whakarērea e koe, e Ihowā, te hunga e rapu ana i a koe. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Hilary Hague
National Director Scripture Union New Zealand
2 www.sunz.org.nz
CONTENTS FEATURES
4
WHY BOTHER WITH BIBLE ENGAGEMENT?
NIGEL WILDER
8
INTO THE DEEP
HILARY HAGUE
10 DID GOD WRITE THE WRONG BOOK? —LEARNING HOW TO RE-READ THE BIBLE AT SUMMER CAMPS LYDIA CHAMLEY
20
BIBLE ENGAGEMENT —OUR SPIRITUAL EXERCISE ANDREW RAMSBOTTOM
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- For use with Blue Star Group pri - Environmental statement example for use w
DAILY BIBLE ENGAGEMENT NEVILLE BARTLEY
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
15
WAY2GO MAGAZINE
INTERVIEWS
12 19 24
Q&A
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
LIGHT FOR THE PATH JAY BRANTLEY
26
OUT & ABOUT
RESOURCES
28
SU RESOURCES FOR LIFE
OFFSET VERSION - Portrait
PRODUCED BY THE SUNZ TEAM DESIGNED BY WINDSORCREATIVE
This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible paper produced from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources.
WHY BOTHER WITH BIBLE
ENGAGEMENT?
NIGEL WINDER | SUNZ Children and Families Consultant, Otago & Southland
S
mall children are the best at asking 'why?' questions, often moving onto the next question before you have finished answering their first question—like some tennis ball serving machine with the dial turned right up. Their rapid-fire questions can be profound and deep, but also outright left field and completely random and out of context. Questions like… Why do I have two eyes, but can only see one thing? Why can't I see my own eyes? Why can't I see inside my own head? Why do my eyelids stay open during the day when I am awake, and closed at night when I am sleeping, without me telling them to? This is only a small sample regarding one
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part of the body. But what it does show is that small children have an in-built thirst for knowledge and understanding about themselves and how the world works. As Christians who believe we are created beings made in the image of God—who has a plan and purpose for our lives—what better place to have small children, large children and adults discover the answers to questions than the Bible itself. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Through Bible engagement we meet God and get to answer that BIG 'why?' question that really matters—"Why am I here?"
THROUGH BIBLE ENGAGEMENT WE DISCOVER OUR GOD-GIVEN MISSION, OUR PURPOSE FOR EXISTING, AND WE HONE OUR VALUES TO BE IN LINE WITH GOD'S. Through Bible engagement we discover our God-given mission, our purpose for existing, and we hone our values to be in line with God's. We are encouraged to stay the course of living a faithful and obedient life lived for God. And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment." Matthew 22:37
Business coaches, mentors and those helping organisations develop a clear mission, purpose, values, and strategic plans always begin with the 'why?' question — 'Why does your organization exist?' By answering this question, organisations can stay focused on their core business with a clear sense
of purpose about where they are going. It provides a filter for all decisions to ensure the business stays on point and doesn't become so thinly spread that the quality of what it offers diminishes. Likewise, as followers of Jesus, we should want to be thirsty for a greater knowledge of God our Creator to whom we have pledged our submission and allegiance. As we grow in our understanding of His love for us, we will want to reciprocate that love by seeking His will and purpose for our lives so we can faithfully obey Him. This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17
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As children of God, let's not neglect coming to our patient and loving Father with all our questions about life, seeking the answers He provides in the Bible. We might need to wait for an answer expectantly and patiently before we move on! A questioning heart is a seeking heart and God honours that in His desire to be known by us.
wisdom. We all benefit then, rather than some being passive participants. • Explore and understand the cultural context of each story and seek to apply its truths to our own context. • Approach the Bible with an eager and willing expectation of meeting God and being changed by that encounter. • Acknowledge that the Bible can be a very difficult book to read, and that an explanation won't always be clear.
A QUESTIONING HEART IS A SEEKING HEART AND GOD HONOURS THAT...
Bible engagement is at the heart of all we do at SUNZ, helping children, young people (and the adults working with them) discover together in community the transformative nature of engaging in God's Word. Here are some things we recommend when helping others with their Bible engagement: • Regularly take a bird's eye view of the whole story. • See Jesus as the central character from beginning to end. • Place each story we explore in the context of the whole story. • Understand how different stories inform each other, growing our understanding of God. • Engage in the story together, bringing our own contexts, questions, and collective 6 www.sunz.org.nz
• Seek the help of the Holy Spirit and other experts to help us understand it. • Engage with God through the Bible ourselves, so those we work with see its living effect on our lives.
If we engage with the Bible, we may just get to see inside the head and heart of God and begin to see things around us through His eyes rather than our own. Let's keep our eyes open to the truth and leading of God through His precious and wonderful gift to us—His Word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18
Try praying this prayer the next time you engage with the Bible. Lord, give me eyes to see You. Give me ears to hear from You. Give me a mind that is increasingly knowing You. Give me feet and hands ready to follow and obey You. Give me a heart that is overflowing with worship of You. May Your Spirit lead and control mine. Amen.
Thriving faith! That is our vision for the children, young people and families of Aotearoa. Scripture Union New Zealand is offering to journey with your church over a year to address this challenge. We will facilitate a whole church consultation, and support you to develop a strategy for the future. Our desire is to see healthy churches, where people of all ages thrive in their faith!
CONSULTATION FACILITATION PLAN DEVELOPMENT ONGOING SUPPORT
For more information please visit www.sunz.org.nz/thrive explore more about how THRIVE can help your church.
I
n 2021, an enormous iceberg broke off from the western side of Antarctica's Ronne Ice Shelf into the Weddell Sea. This iceberg is nearly four times the size of New York City and it’s shaped like a giant ironing board. It’s named A-76 and it’s the biggest iceberg on earth. And of course, most of A-76 is hidden under the water. As we continue to move through COVID-19 and the peak and the aftermath of Omicron, the image of the iceberg has something to say about the pandemic. The diverse conversations and the variety of actions we are seeing across New Zealand are only the tip of the iceberg. Hidden under the water of everyday life, lies something much bigger—our feelings and our values and our perceptions about life.
DEP
INTO THE HILARY HAGUE | SUNZ National Director
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Hard times often bring our beliefs and the things that are important to us to the surface. They expose weak spots and difficulties as well. COVID has done this for Christians as we relate to God and live out our faith. The pressure of the ongoing pandemic and the unrest evident across our nation has demanded immediate change in many aspects of church life, including our friendships and our participation in worship. From requirements that change the way we can meet as church to decisions around health that have wider implications, the usual patterns of Christian faith here in New Zealand have been deeply dislocated in the past two years.
The question with A-76 is what will happen next. An iceberg that had broken off from the Antarctic Peninsula in 2017 raised alarm in November when it appeared to be on a collision course with the British island territory of South Georgia. That iceberg, A-68a, ended up grounding off the island’s coast. If A-76 hits a similar current, it could reach the Antarctic Peninsula within months and could interfere with shipping lanes there. As A-76 makes its journey, climatologists will be watching closely—even if most of the rest of us aren’t. It’s risky to weigh in to discussions around what will happen to church life while we are still in the middle of the pandemic. It’s far too early to evaluate how we are going or to predict with any clarity what the future holds. It’s risky, but it’s still important to do it. It’s important because the church is important and the decisions we make now will shape our future and the future of our families and children and young people. And it’s important because both faith and hope are crucial elements of resilience. The Salvation Army in their State of the Nation 2022 report say, ‘Increasing mental health pressures on young people are indicated by a rise in the proportion reporting moderate to high levels of mental distress.’1 Faith and hope are needed at this time when we are seeing people increasingly disconnected from the church community. This is particularly evident amongst our children and young people. As we read our Bibles, we see that the church takes place within the midst of God’s people. It is the family of God—the bride of Christ and the expression of Jesus here on earth. These are beautiful images, and they bring questions for us as we ask what it looks like to live within these descriptions.
It brings questions that we need to find immediate answers to as we live right now in a hybrid time of isolation and vaccine mandates. What are the important qualities of being church that we must hold onto? What issues do we need to address? How can we hold these qualities and ‘be church’ right now in ways that are effective for all in these times? It brings questions we need to pray and think about carefully as we move into the future. What societal and ecclesiastical changes is this pandemic bringing that will probably be permanent? How will we express the heart of God’s call to us as we worship together and witness to our communities in changed circumstances? What is the best practical shape for church as we move forward? These are not surface questions about place or programmes. They are more than decisions about digital versus face-to-face meetings and large or small gatherings. They are deep questions about identity and attitudes and ways of being. They are questions that God’s people have grappled with ever since Bible times. They are our questions for our time. Let’s approach them with humility and wisdom. And most of all, let’s answer them with a heart attuned to what God is saying to us and with the courage to change where we need to.
1 Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (2022), State of the Nation 2022. https://www. salvationarmy.org.nz/research-policy/social-policyparliamentary-unit/state-nation-2022/children-and-youth
APRIL 2022 9
DID GOD WRITE THE
Wrong Book?
LEARNING HOW TO RE-READ THE BIBLE AT SUMMER CAMPS LYDIA CHAMLEY | SUNZ Camp Team Leader
‘WHEN WE READ THE BIBLE, IT’S EASY TO FEEL LIKE GOD WROTE THE WRONG BOOK. WE COME TO THE BIBLE WITH OUR PROBLEMS, QUESTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, DECISIONS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR VIEW OF THE WORLD. WE WANT ANSWERS AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS. BUT AT FIRST GLANCE, THE BIBLE SEEMS SURPRISINGLY SILENT ABOUT OUR LIVES AND ISSUES.’1
L
et’s be honest for a minute. It’s not just young people who can sometimes read the Bible looking for easy and direct answers for our 21st century lives. It’s human nature to put ourselves at the centre and think that anything that doesn’t directly apply to us, must not be for us. That is why we need to learn how to re-read the Bible. We need to unpack not only the worldview of the characters in this collection of ancient stories, but our own context and beliefs. Then we can learn how to translate the stories to recognise the unified narrative that points us to Jesus and know that the Bible really is ‘the living word’ of God. This complex idea is unpacked beautifully in The Insect and The 1 Roshan Allpress and Andrew Shamy (2009). The Insect and the Buffalo. How the story of the Bible Changes Everything, p16. Venn Foundation.
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Buffalo: How the Story of the Bible Changes Everything by Roshan Allpress and Andrew Shamy.2 The main theme/argument behind this text is that while the Bible is a collection of smaller stories, those stories piece together into a larger narrative about a God who created the world out of love and desires a relationship with creation and humanity. However, humanity rebels. Despite this rebellion, God sends a rescue mission to liberate us; that rescue mission is centred upon Jesus Christ and God’s consistent message that He wants a relationship with humanity. A simple pattern echoes throughout the Bible: creation > fall> redemption. And whatever story we read takes on new meaning when framed with Jesus behind it. 2 Roshan Allpress and Andrew Shamy (2009). The Insect and the Buffalo. How the story of the Bible Changes Everything. Venn Foundation.
WHATEVER STORY WE READ TAKES ON NEW MEANING WHEN FRAMED WITH JESUS BEHIND IT.
Leaders on Scripture Union NZ (SUNZ) camps are privileged to spend a week with rangatahi. As they get comfortable, our young people will often ask important questions about their lives and how a relationship with Christ should impact them practically. Leaders do their best to direct young people to the Bible to help them figure out answers for themselves. However, our campers often reply by saying they have tried this already, but the Bible doesn’t help—it’s too old and doesn’t apply to their lives. In 2022, our SUNZ summer camps looked at studies based around The Insect and The Buffalo3 to help us unpack everyday life and where God fits into it. Each day of camp had a main session where speakers would guide the group through some activities and Bible passages. This was followed by time in smaller groups where campers could discuss the things that came up for them. Each camp ran differently, but they all made sure to include time for the campers to use karakia/ prayer to connect with Christ and hear Him through the Bible. Here's what some of the campers said when asked what the Bible was to them:
" "
Sometimes [it can be] a confusing book but it’s God’s word and helps develop and grow our relationship with Him." [The Bible is there to help] you to learn more about Jesus and to better that relationship with Him."
Knowing that God speaks to us through His word is a great start, and for some campers this was the first time they had heard that message. The goal for camps though, is to help boost a lifelong journey with Christ. We really want the learning and growth from camp to extend into the lives of the campers, even when they go home. We asked some campers how their lives were changed by camp and what would be ahead for them.
" " "
It helped me reflect on my personal relationship with God, and I know I have to do more work to grow that relationship." This camp has deepened my relationship with God in that it has encouraged me to think more abstractly about faith and have greater understanding of people who are different from me." The Bible studies we did reconnected me with the Bible and with God. When I go home, I want to take a step further and get to know God in a much more intimate way.’
Our prayer for campers for this next season is that they will continue to explore God’s word, discover how they fit into God’s story and allow it to challenge and shape their understanding of life.
3 Adapted with permission from the Venn Foundation
APRIL 2022 11
Q& A
BIBLE
ENGAGEMENT AT CAMP
THE BIBLE AND SMALL GROUP STUDY TIMES ARE CENTRAL PARTS OF SUNZ CAMPS.
HOW HAVE THEY INFLUENCED OUR 2022 SUMMER CAMPERS?
"
I LEARNT A LOT MORE ABOUT GOD… AND THE STUDIES MADE ME THINK MORE ABOUT THE BIBLE, GOD AND MY FAITH, AND HOW I WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN."
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I WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME FOR GOD. HAVING 'ALL DAY LUNCH' WAS SOMETHING THAT STOOD OUT TO ME, AS I OFTEN JUST BOOKEND MY DAY WITH GOD, WHEN I SHOULD BE ALERTED TO HOW HE IS WORKING THROUGHOUT THE DAY."
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TWO THINGS ESPECIALLY HAVE STUCK WITH ME—HOW OFTEN WE HAVE WRONG ASSUMPTIONS, AND THAT THIS CAN STOP US FROM SEEING CLEARLY, AND THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US GIFTS THAT WE SHOULD USE FOR GOOD, AND THEN HE'LL TRUST US WITH MORE. I HOPE I'LL BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE MY ASSUMPTIONS AND USE MY GIFTS TO SERVE OTHERS MORE."
"
I LEARNT THAT I SHOULDN'T JUST FOCUS ON A SMALL PART OF A STORY I SHOULD LOOK AT THE WHOLE STORY, SO I UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING. THAT MADE ME KIND OF REALISE THAT I ONLY SEE A SMALL PART OF PEOPLE’S LIVES AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT EVERYONE IS GOING THROUGH IN THE BACKGROUND SO I NEED TO TRY PUT MORE EFFORT INTO TREATING EVERYONE WITH LOVE AND RESPECT."
"
I LEARNT AND REALIZED THAT GOD MADE THE EARTH FOR US AND IT SHOWS US HOW MUCH HE LOVES US SO I HAVE LEARNT TO LOVE AND RESPECT NATURE MORE."
"
THE STUDIES ON CAMP HELPED ME TO BUILD A ROUTINE OF BIBLE READING/ DEVOTION EVERY DAY."
"
I REALLY LIKED THE STUDIES THIS YEAR AT CAMP. I WOULD SAY THAT I DEFINITELY CAME CLOSER TO GOD THROUGH THEM. A FEW OF THE THINGS THAT STOOD OUT TO ME … HOW JESUS BEARS AND KNOWS OUR SHAME, AND HOW JESUS MAY BE WORKING BESIDE US IN PLACES WE MAY NOT BE FOCUSING ON."
APRIL 2022 13
G COMIN TO A N REGIO R A E N YOU!!
To nurture a child’s connection with God, we need to put the FIRST THINGS FIRST. But what are these?
We will focus on this important question as we explore together the importance of prioritising a deep faith, grounded in the Bible and prayer. We will look at how the church can encourage lifelong faith in children and their families. for more info check out www.sunz.org.nz
APR
22
Welcome! Check out our ideas! Pull it out! & pass it around
THE DINING TABLE As I write, Autumn is definitely in the air and there are thoughts of hunkering down for winter. But, in reality, it feels like we’ve all been hunkering down for the past two years. In and out of lockdown, working remotely, online learning, Zoom meetings, PCR testing and now, RATs—all so very familiar now but not so two years ago. Something else that might be feeling a bit more familiar is the dining table. If yours is anything like mine, at various times it’s been a place for homework, sewing, jigsaw puzzles, card games, home office, arts ‘n crafts . . . and, somehow, we manage to find space, and the inclination, to eat meals there too. The dining table is a hub for family life. It is a gathering space that can be a focal point for faith formation in the home—something which is particularly important given the adverse effect of the pandemic on faith formation for children that has been shown by recent research.* Ministry among adults has widely been prioritised over ministry to children, and relational connections which are so important for families are one of the most challenging aspects for churches in this present climate. This leaves much to parents who often feel ill-equipped to nurture their children’s faith. This edition of the WAY2GO magazine will look at simple ways you, as a family, can gather round the dining table with each other, the Bible and God.
___ Liz Eichler Children and Families Team Leader, SUNZ
* Sarah Holmes, Lawson Murray, Sue Price, Mimi Larson, Valerie de Abreu and Phil Whitehead. Do we need a new plan for children’s ministry? A report based on research in Brazil, Canada, UK and US in later-pandemic stages. October 2021. https://scriptureunion.ca/wp-content/uploads/Multi-national-Childrens-Ministry-Report-2021.pdf
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Gathered Light a candle before your meal Eat a meal together
Ask someone: ‘Why do we light the candle?’ They answer: ‘Because Jesus is the light of the world. No darkness can put it out.’
Try having everyone in the family answer simple questions like: What was the best thing about your day? What was the hardest thing about your day? Did you see God in anything you did today? Did you talk to God about anything today?
Explain Things It can be really easy to assume that our children know why we do things. But have you ever explained to them why you go to church? Or why we sing songs together? Why do we make time to talk to people and be kind to them? As you reflect on your day together, bring God into the ‘why’ of what you have done. This will help your children to join in and give them motivation too.
Point to God in the everyday
Creation is a great way to start a conversation about God. If you say it’s a beautiful day, point out a magnificent tree, or comment on how much it’s been raining, try adding a short statement like: ‘Isn’t God so amazing to have created all that?’ or you could use the opportunity to pray and thank God for His creation. Simple sentences like this make God a natural part of conversation and everyday life. Some of these ideas came from the Kitchen Table Project, www.kitchentable.org.uk
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JustReadIt You might find that your dinner times can also include a time for reading the Bible together. Here’s a simple structure we use on our SUPAkidz Camps which focuses on the Bible as a living and exciting story to read. This can help all of us to read the Bible for reading’s sake, in the same way we might enjoy a good story at bedtime. Try this: • Choose a book from the Bible—the gospels are a good place to start. • Set aside 10 minutes at least (whatever works for your family). • Say that you’re going to read from the Bible and listen to it as a story. Just listen. If you have any questions, hold onto them. • Start reading from Chapter 1, verse 1. At the end of your time, stop reading and put a bookmark in the Bible and close it.
• Finish your time with a short prayer, thanking God for the way He can speak to us through the Bible. • Resist the temptation to question or study the passage. Simply let the story be. Trust that God speaks directly through the words of scripture, without explanation. • Take turns reading the passage, and make sure to use a version of the Bible that is appropriate to your family ages and stages. • Enjoy!
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ARE YOU OUR NEXT WELLINGTON CHILDREN & FAMILIES CONSULTANT?
We are looking to fill a vacancy we have in our Children and Families team based in Wellington. This is a full-time position with immediate start. If you have experience in Children and Families ministry and want to take the next step in your ministry journey, we’d love to hear from you. For a job description and more information, please contact Liz Eichler at liz.e@sunz.org.nz.
Resources DIARY OF A DISCIPLE - PETER & PAUL'S STORY EYEWITNESS: WHO IS JESUS? Dr Luke has a story to tell—a story Weddings and picnics, about a man called Peter and a children and beggars, man called Paul. It’s a totally epic kindness and grace. tale, a stunning super-saga, a pageWho is this person? turning, jaw-dropping dazzler of a A 35-page book of yarn – and it’s all here, in one book, quirky & inspiring just waiting for you to get stuck in. stories from the Bible. A contemporary retelling of the $ By Gordon Jaquiery $ book of Acts, written in a quirky, contemporary, accessible style.
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Both available via our shop website sunz.org.nz/shop
Looking for more resources and inspiration? Check out our website and blog
sunzbreakthrough.org.nz | childrenandfamiliesnz.blogspot.com
Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to discover and follow Jesus, grow as leaders, and influence the world. Contact us and let us know how we can help you.
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SCRIPTURE UNION IN NEW ZEALAND
PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 way2go@sunz.org.nz 0508 423 836 sunz.org.nz
A GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVE As you meet with Scripture Union staff and volunteers all around the world, what inspires you about how SU globally approaches the Bible? I am always inspired by the richness and depth of understanding God´s word in fresh ways when we are opening the Bible in community. I remember reading the story of Martha and Mary with a group of Asian leaders. At first, I wondered how there could be possibly anything new and refreshing in the passage after having read it a gazillion times. And still, the session ended with my notebook full of new thoughts and applications. Unexpected gifts from God through the mouths of my wonderful colleagues. A special treat is to read Scriptures through various cultural lenses. The story of the Good Samaritan in Western cultures can sometimes come across as a 'be nice to each other' message. But listening to SU workers living in war-stricken parts of the world share how they saved the life of an enemy from a different nation or have been feeding a foe from another tribe, you start to understand that the good news of Jesus is about deeper changes than just social conventions. This year, Scripture Union International is focusing on Bible Engagement. In March, participants from all around the world met virtually for a Bible Engagement Consultation. What is your hope for this Consultation?
ANNETTE OSBORNE INTERVIEWS MONIKA KUSCHMIERZ, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF SCRIPTURE UNION INTERNATIONAL
Bible Engagement is at the core of all we are doing in SU. We want to give children and young people the opportunity to meet God through His word—be it at a camp, at school or at a beach mission. But are the methods we are using really helpful to make them curious to explore more? Are we showing them Jesus rather than just Christian morals? How do we take seriously the world our young people are growing up in—the questions they have, the mindsets they are bringing into the conversation, their social backgrounds and environments? How can we be as innovative as possible while staying true to our theological basis? How do you see the Consultation supporting Scripture Union movements into the future? It is my hope that it will stir helpful conversations among the global SU community and the teams in National Movements. And I can see already various teams emerging from the consultation, for example, a team to create new tools, resources and strategies that would help to reach children at risk with God´s word. A group would create a resource for children in the slums of major cities. Another would create a tool for children who have dropped out of school and are considered to be the ‘losers’ in an ambitious society. These resources would be tested, refined, and shared across the globe to let millions of children and young people know there is good news for them. And I hope and pray it will transform their lives. APRIL 2022 19
ENGAGEMENT
B
OUR SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
ANDREW RAMSBOTTOM | SUNZ Children & Families Consultant
ible engagement is very similar to muscle engagement or what is commonly known as exercise. Even the smallest amount of exercise benefits the body, mind and soul. However, we get the most value from regular (daily), unrushed, structured time. The same is true for Bible engagement. “Lucy was aged four when I saw her ‘reading’ her Bible, I asked her what she was doing. I’m looking for God on every page,’ she replied. She had just started learning to read, and the combination of letters G-O-D was hugely fascinating to her.”— Terry Clutterham, The Adventure Begins.1 1 Terry Clutterham (1996). The Adventure Begins: Practical Guide to Exploring the Bible with Under-12s, p9. Scripture Union Publishing. (Out of print.)
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God wants us to get to know him better each day by finding who He really is on every page of His Word.
MAKE A START
The Holy Spirit is top of my list of essentials for Bible engagement! Start your Bible time by inviting God to be present with you. A few other things will help you get the most out of your Bible time: • Bible—use a modern translation, not a paraphrase. • Notebook and pen—keep a record of what you discover and make action points. • Support—a Bible guide (hardcopy or online), concordance, commentary, encyclopaedia, a friend or family member, or a faith community group. • A quiet place. • Uninterrupted time.
GATHER SOME SUPPORT MATERIAL
Here are a few resources I have found very helpful.
• Bibleproject.com is a brilliant free resource that has excellent introduction videos to every book of the Bible as well as theme-based videos and studies. • SUNZ Online Shop2 has an extensive range of resources for Bible engagement both for individuals and groups. • SUNZ also has a Bible reading app, Engage3, aimed at young people • There are many theologians, Biblical scholars and interpreters that we have access to today. My two favourites are Walter Brueggemann4—an Old Testament specialist—and N.T. Wright5—a New Testament specialist. Many of their resources are not free but they are well worth the cost for the value they bring to opening the Bible in a life-changing way. There are many other good resources available. Choose the ones that will help you to explore the Bible effectively.
HAVE A PLAN
Even though the Bible is a very complex book, engaging with it has never been complicated. Below is a suggested simple plan. • Prepare | Choose a time when you will know you won’t be interrupted for at least 30 minutes. Just like exercise, the benefits are greatly increased if you spend a deliberate length of time doing it. Don’t rush. Find a quiet place. Turn your phone off or put it in flight mode if your Bible is on your phone. • Pray | Start with Prayer. Quieten your heart and ask God to speak to you. • Listen | Listen to the Bible passage being read. I would not recommend reading 2 3 4 5
https://www.sunz.org.nz/shop/?cat%5B%5D=5 https://www.sunz.org.nz/youth/engage-app/ https://www.walterbrueggemann.com/ https://ntwrightpage.com/
just one verse as your engagement with Scripture — there is a place for that but that is another whole article. Listen to another person in the group reading out loud, read out loud to yourself or listen to an audio Bible. You may find this strange, but people have engaged with scripture in this way for thousands of years. Or just read it quietly to yourself. • Explore | Use any support material you have gathered. - Look up connected verses using a concordance - Look at a Bible map. - Read the commentary in the Bible reading guide. - Answer a few questions with the group you are with. - Watch a short sermon or explanation of the passage online. • Discuss and Think | This may be with others or just by yourself. • Write | Record some thoughts on what you have discovered or learnt about God and yourself. Also write down some action points or a prayer (see next point). • Pray | There are many ways you could end your time in prayer, but this one's my favourite6 : write down some words or a phrase and then spend some time thinking about them as you doodle around them. I have found this a very visual and creative way to end a time of Bible engagement. God wants us to spend unhurried time with Him in His Word each day. Doing so has benefits for us, the church, our community and God’s Kingdom. So let’s be intentional about making our spiritual exercise a daily routine!
6 https://prayingincolor.com/
APRIL 2022 21
daily
BIBLE ENGAGEMENT
I
don’t know about you, but I often have questions about the scripture I am reading and wish some answers were close at hand.
Or maybe you have good intentions to read your Bible every day, but you find yourself wondering where to start or stopping before you get into a routine. That’s where daily Bible reading guides come in handy! There are many books, apps and online options. And while your personal style will help determine what suits you, we promote the Scripture Union approach to engaging with the Bible to help you hear from God as you read your Bible. Read prayerfully — only the Holy Spirit can open our eyes and illuminate our hearts with what God is saying. Bible engagement is more than gathering information. Read the Bible to meet God. As we read the Bible, it reads us.
22 www.sunz.org.nz
NEVILLE BARTLEY | SUNZ Youth Team Leader
We benefit from reading the Bible together in community and across the generations. Tell the ‘Big Story’ and respect the integrity of scripture as a whole. Reading in chunks helps us see God’s dealings with humanity from creation to new creation and promotes a broad understanding of how scripture leads to Christ. Read in context. Respect the different genres and look for the author’s intention. Recognise how our own context affects our encounter with the scripture. Think about our lives and the way we live in the light of the Bible passage. Meeting God through His word will have an impact on our lives, encouraging us in worship, mission, and holiness.
Here are two Scripture Union Bible reading guides I recommend.
Engage is designed so you can listen on your own or with others. Some families listen together over a mealtime and then discuss "READ DAILY BREAD YOUR the questions together as they eat. You can B I A B L N E ,guides D YO P R A Yoffer Daily Bread print Bible U ' L Lreading E V E R Y download the day’s session and listen to it even GROW D , AY, G R O Wwith three months of daily scripture readings , G R O Wif you don’t have internet access. If you miss !" accompanying information to help explain a day, you can find previous days and catch the type of writing, who it was written to and up. You can share a reading with friends or other information that helps you understand download it and listen to it over and over again. what you are reading and work out how that The daily readings usually make their way can fit into your daily life. through a book in the Bible so you get to follow The study notes A n n u al the story as it unfolds and things you have originate from s u bscriptiobeen thinking about from the days before may Scripture Union n $56.00 influence your thoughts on the scripture. UK with writers from different C O N T C T backgrounds, Order o n l i n e" R E A D AY O UUR and B ITBO LE, PRAY EVERY DAY, w w w and denominations, ethnic . s u n z .cultural S DAY org.nz ND YO U '/Ls hLo pG W, GROW, GROW!" ORR O p h o n e to what perspectives.AThis, I think, adds/ richness 04 385 0485 you are engaging with each day. Daily Bread is printed in New Zealand and we add a local twist with Aotearoa pictures and extra content. Engage is a Bible engagement tool that can AY, work for many different people. If, like me, you E R Y aDcommon V E Each day’s note is based around Y A R BIBLE, P ROW, GROW!" R U are better at listening than reading, then this O Y of pray, , G explore and respond. " R E A D pattern O Wread, U'LL GR O is a great tool. If you are using it with others Y D N You can just focus on the scripture, you can A Annual or like to read the scripture, a written script is get caught up in the thoughts that are shared, also available. People who are learning Te Reo or both. The questions make you think, dig subscription Māori and people with English as their second $56.00 deep and engage with God. Daily Bread helps language love the fact they can listen and to give structure and routine but also variety follow along with the written word. to your Bible reading. If you love the written nnuaaldaily Ahave word, then this is a great way to n D A YThe app links to our Engage Facebook page C O N Tu AbCsTcrUipStiToO s engagement with scripture and with God. where you will find the written script in both Order online www.sunz.org.nz/shop/ OR phone 04 385 0485 languages and the opportunity to post your $56.00 Daily Bread is available from www.sunz.org.nz/ thoughts or questions. There is a built-in Bible and shop/ or phone SUNZ 04 3850485. we are in the process of creating a series of short ENGAGE BIBLE APP videos that will be on the app to help you explore The Engage Bible App is aT wonderful D A Y tool prayer and other ways to engage with scripture. O 5 8 S 4 0 U 5 8 CT ne 04 3 N T Apeople, to help young the/ young O R p h o at heart CO z/shop z.org.n Engage is a great way to engage with scripture n u s . w e w w families with teens, spend time in o n l i neven O r d e r and and God daily. So put it on your phone or scripture and with God every day. Each day a your tablet and take it wherever you go. Get new reading is available in both English and Te engaged with scripture and God! Reo Māori. The readings are usually between The Engage app is free to download and is two and four minutes in length and are read available on all common platforms. by a young person. At the end of each reading, the reader leaves you with three questions to consider then finishes with a short prayer. APRIL 2022 23
Light
for the path JAY BRANTLEY | SUNZ Camp Leader
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
T
he world we find ourselves in today is built around grabbing our attention and holding it for as long as possible. With the constant bombardment of information, advertisements, and a never-ending stream of catastrophic events, it is easy to get swept up in the noise and completely forget God. One of Paul’s metaphors equates our journey in life as a Christian to the journey of a marathon runner in a race. When we remain focused on God, we are running our marathon without the distractions hindering our journey, but if we get distracted, we run around aimlessly and let the world lead us and shape how we think. The Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, have a motto, ‘ad majorem dei gloriam,’ which means ‘for the greater glory of God’. No matter what they do with their day, no matter how large or small their tasks
24 www.sunz.org.nz
are, they act through the framework of doing everything for God’s glory. How different our lives become with God acting as the lens through which we view the world. The very beginnings of our days shift our minds from ‘what do I need to do today?’ into active obedience to God, ‘what do you have planned for me today?’ Even when we are doing the day-to-day chores, we remain attuned to the Holy Spirit, watchful for those small moments to bring God’s light to those who need it. Paul urges God’s people to become this disciplined for God, to truly focus and pursue everything God calls us to be. Whether we are saving lives in the medical field or cleaning the dishes in a café, we all have the opportunity to bring God into our daily lives. We often look for the moment to sprint across the finish line without realising it is the power of one foot after the other that wins the race in the end. As we continue on with our day to day lives, where are we following God intentionally? Where do we need to let go of the distractions and start moving with purpose? What marathons are we already on that could prosper if we were intentional with our actions? And in all the things that we do, whether they are big or small, we must remember to do them for the greater glory of God.
Meet JAY
Jay, our writer for ‘Light for the Path’, is an Exodus Prime graduate, Beyond Experience participant and SUNZ Camp Leader. We asked him to introduce himself to you. Here’s what he had to say: Hi! I’m Jay, I am 21 years old, and I am halfway through getting my Theology degree at Laidlaw while working as an Anglican Youth Pastor and a 24-7 Youth Worker at Westburn School in Christchurch. I grew up as a missionary kid and a pastor’s kid, so faith has always been central in my life. I have been very fortunate because of this upbringing as I was constantly surrounded by dedicated Christians speaking life into me as I grew up. Although I am currently Anglican, I have deep Catholic roots coming from New Orleans as I was taught by both the Lasallians and the Jesuits giving me a great love for God and for Scripture. My passion for the youth started early in high school when I started leading at my church’s intermediate youth group. There I felt God’s calling on my life to ministry and I was lucky enough to be sent by my youth leader to Scripture Union’s leadership development camp Exodus Prime (EP). I could not state enough how the intentional discipleship over the four years of going to EP helped shape me into who God wanted me to be. Growing up and out of the camps and youth group as a youth and into a leader has been a tremendous experience as I get to be a part of the teams that so positively influenced and discipled me in my journey with God. Although I have had many avenues of discipleship and mentorship growing up, to say that Scripture Union has not been a key factor in my development as a Christian and as a leader would be a great disservice to the care and intentionality that is put into each camp and adventure. From the deep theological conversations that pop up in small groups to letting the beauty of God’s creation speak for itself, the leaders at Scripture Union deeply care about positively impacting young people and having a great time while doing so.
APRIL 2022 25
OUT & ABOUT HILARY HAGUE
An important part of relating to people is presence and a Māori understanding of it is kanohi kitea, often translated as ‘seen face’ or ‘to be seen’. We are well in to 2022 now and we are working hard to hold to this kind of presence, of being physically present where we are able and present in other ways where that is the only choice.
AUCKLAND celebrates camping
Auckland had another successful summer camping season with young people. If you’d like to know more about how these camps went, check out this video from the camp leaders: https:// bit.ly/SUNZCampsThanksgiving. There is an Anamata training day for youth leaders here at the end of April. Anamata is a new programme aimed at equipping new and experienced youth leaders as they consider what youth ministry looks like this year. Andy Banks is running a camp called Pōnui Island Fishing Adventure at the end of April.
90 years on
PŌNUI
This year we celebrate 90 years of camping on Pōnui Island and we want to acknowledge the generosity and support of the Chamberlin family. This has been a wonderful partnership and many lives have changed because of these camps. We look forward to many more years together.
WAIKATO
Natalie Duchesne is about to run Wild Wāhine, a pilgrimage style camp for girls that examines the journey of faith as they journey together to the Pinnacles near Thames. We farewelled Lydia Chamley from her role as Youth Consultant in the Waikato. We wish her all the best as she moves on into a new season. 26 www.sunz.org.nz
MOUNT RUAPEHU
Adventure Lodge was the setting for our Summer Supreme camp. Marguerite Johansson one of the participants, said the camp was ‘… an enormous privilege. I made lifelong friends, gained a broadened perspective on world view, learnt the value of teamwork and kotahitanga and improved my adventure sport skills. After going on this camp, I am much more eager to step outside my comfort zone, meet new people and explore God’s creation’.
Good times in
TARANAKI
Liz Eichler visited the Taranaki region in February where she caught up with children’s ministry leaders and ran a Thrive workshop encouraging churches to look at what quality faith formation looks like for children and young people.
Lots happening in
WELLINGTON
There was another Anamata training day held here in Lower Hutt in March. This was a very successful day and an opportunity to chat and listen to people as they talked about their ministry. We are currently looking for a new Children and Families Consultant to replace Liz Eichler who has moved into the Team Leader’s role. If this sounds like you or you know someone let us know.
DUNEDIN
The Regional Committee in Dunedin runs monthly prayer meetings here. It is always good to know that they, and the other prayer meetings around the country are holding SUNZ ministry in prayer. Lizzie Moore is running monthly youth worker training workshops here.
APRIL 2022 27
"READ YOUR BIBLE, PRAY EVERY DAY, AND YOU'LL GROW, GROW, GROW!"
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CONTACT US TODAY Order online www.sunz.org.nz/shop/ OR phone 04 385 0485
SUNZ Camps Change Lives!
BEFORE CAMP
"
The Bible studies e w did re-connected me with the Bible and with God. When I go home, I a w nt to take a step further and get to know God in a much more intimate a w y."
You can help this transformation!
Your donation could be the difference between a young person who is disengaged with the Bible and struggling in their faith and a young person who has reconnected with the Bible, bringing their faith alive and helping them with their doubts and questions.
AFTER
The Bible doesn’t help—it’s too old and doesn’t apply to my life."
CAMP
"
Could you join us as a monthly donor? Regular giving helps us to plan and ensure the sustainability of our ministries, meaning more young lives are impacted by the hope of the gospel. Set up a monthly donation online at sunz.org.nz/donate or by using the form near the back of this mag.
Did you know 80% of our overall funding and 100% of our ministry staff’s funding comes from donations? Please consider giving a gift today – you can change the lives of children and young people as they discover Jesus and grow in faith.
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WINTER 2022 JULY Ruapehu Adventure
Y7 - Y10
Whakapapa Classic
Y11 - Y13
Wakatipu Base Camp
Y9 - Y13
Season
Y11 - Y13
Alight
Y7 - Y10
www.sunz.org.nz
Ski? Snowboard? It’s your call. Experience full days in the snow, spend time talking about God and relaxing in the lodge at night, as well as a bunch of fun o -mountain activities.
How about a week full of snow fun while staying at an alpine lodge? Mix in some evenings chilling with new friends, life-giving chats about God, and you have the recipe for the best week of the year! Let’s go!
Come to Lake Wakatipu this winter if you like skiing or snowboarding, or you want to learn! Enjoy days on the snow and evenings gathered around the giant replace, yarning about life, God and all the in-betweens. Plus the classic polar wharf jump and fun activities around Queenstown.
Exciting time searching for adventures on the Kaikoura coastline and nearby mountains. Using this as a backdrop, we will explore together how to ‘alight’ a dynamic faith and hope in Jesus Christ. Opportunities to ride mountain bikes, hike in the hills and be on the ocean.
Kaikoura is a special place where the light makes God seems very close. Enjoy adventures on the sea, on the land and in the mountains. We will kayak and complete an overnight hike to see some stunning views of the Kaikoura coast.
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PO BOX 760, Wellington 6140 | 0508 423 836 | info@sunz.org.nz He rama ta-u kupu ki o-ku waewae | Your word is a lamp to my feet. Psalm 119:105 SUNZ is a member of the Scripture Union International Family
