God's Welcoming Banquet - A Teaching Activity by laurie delgatto

God’s

Welcoming Banquet Table In t his a c t iv it y, the participants explore what Jesus taught about inclusion, humility, and welcoming people who are marginalized. t i m e r e q u i r e d : 3 0 to 5 0 m i n u t e s

Mat er ial s N eed ed

i n t e n d e d fo r g r a d e s 9 - 1 2

1 2

» snacks and drinks for all participants » red, blue, and green dot stickers, one-third of each color to total the number of participants (optional) » Bibles, one for each participant » a sheet of newsprint and a marker (optional)

Activity Steps Divide the large group into three smaller groups. Identify one group as the red group, one

as the green group, and one as the blue group. (Distribute the red, green, and blue sticker dots accordingly, if using them.) Ask the members of the blue group to stand together with their noses touching one wall. Tell them they are not going to participate in this part of the activity. Inform the members of the red group that they may do whatever they want during this activity. Provide them with comfortable chairs, drinks, and snacks. Tell them they are to give orders to the green group, and the members of the green group must listen to their instructions and do what they ask (although they may not ask anyone to do anything that would be embarrassing or humiliating or dangerous). A f t e r a f e w m inut es, stop and change the roles around. The blues now serve the greens, and the reds face the wall. Then hold a third round so that each group has a chance to experience each role. (Note: The participants will experience stronger feelings to fuel the discussion if they do not switch roles, but switching may be necessary if some participants are quite sensitive or likely to take this activity personally. Use your discretion as a leader based on your knowledge of the group.)

PA G E 1 O F 4

Fa c il itat e a l a rge-gr o up discussion of the activity using the following questions:

» At the beginning of the activity, how would you describe the role of each group? Possible answers are noted in brackets. [Reds were in a position of privilege, greens were subordinate, and blues were excluded.] » How did you feel in each of those roles? Privileged? Subordinate? Excluded? » Why did members of the green group follow the orders of the red group? [Participants may say that it was because those were the instructions for the game.] » What do you think might have happened if the greens had not followed the orders from the reds? What might the consequences have been? » Why did everyone follow the rules of the game? Why did the reds accept their position of privilege? Why did greens obey orders from the reds? Why did the blues remain with their noses against the wall?

4 5

» What would have happened if the groups had not accepted the rules of the game? A s k t he pa rt ic ipa nt s to consider what Jesus’ message might be for each of these smaller

groups. Invite the participants to form small groups of three to discuss. Dis t r ibut e a B ible to each participant, and direct everyone to look up Luke 14:7–14.

When all are ready, read the passage aloud, inviting the participants to follow along. Then direct the small groups to discuss the parable using the following questions: » In this parable, which groups does Jesus suggest are excluded from society? » Which groups are excluded in our world today? » Which groups had power and privilege in this parable? » Which groups have privilege in our world today?

6 7 8

You may want to write these questions on a sheet of newsprint for the groups to reference. A s k e a c h s m a l l gr o up to share with the large group just one answer to each of the

questions from step 5. The note the following: » In this Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of a man who gives a feast and sends out his servant to invite guests. When all the usual guests decline, the man tells his servant to bring back whomever he can find. People of all classes, gender, and ranks are invited to the banquet. » The parable is a keen reminder that God’s banquet table is open to anyone who will accept the invitation. N o w a s k the small groups to brainstorm three practical ways they can welcome people who sit

on the margins of society. Invite the small groups to share their responses with the large group. C o n c l ud e the time together with prayer. Pray for the groups that sit on the margins of society.

PA G E 2 O F 4

Ask God for forgiveness for the sins of domination and exclusion. Ask God to open the eyes of the participants (and you) to the inequalities in society and to give each person the wisdom and courage to work for the change God desires. Pray that Christians all over the world will prepare a welcoming banquet table where everyone can sit as equals and share a meal together.

PA G E 3 O F 4

About World Vision W o rld V i s i o n i s a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to helping children and their families break free from poverty. Our work is motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring nearly sixty years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. W o rld V i s i o n R es o u r c e s educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to social justice, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world. By developing biblically-based materials for educators and ministry leaders on the causes and consequences of global poverty, World Vision Resources supports the organizational mandate to move the church in the United States to more fully embrace its biblical responsibility to serve the poor.

For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources www.worldvision.org wvresources@worldvision.org

PA G E 4 O F 4