Why Social Action

7/29/2019 Why Social Action

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Community Missionis ordinary people living out the radical message of Jesus. Its about combating poverty and

isolation, bringing hope and transforming your local community.www.communitymission.org.uk

Why Social Action?

Four studies for reflecting on what the Bible

says about social action and helping you totake action in your community.

Why Social Action? written by Concetta Perot, revised by David Arscott.

Community Mission 2008

Registered charity number 1116530


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Contents

Introduction and Practicalities

Session One Let Scripture speak

Exploring what the Bible says about how Godspeople should respond to injustice and social need.

SessionTwo Good news to the poor?

Identifying with poverty and powerlessness byasking, Who are the poor?

Session Three The Gospel, the whole Gospel and nothing butthe Gospel!

Exploringimbalances in the way we live the gospeland redressing the balance.

Session Four Its not what you do, its the way that youdo it!

Focusing on empowering as well as serving ourcommunities.

Appendix A The Prayer - Action - Reflection cycleAppendix B List of scriptures for Session OneAppendix C Definitions and group questions for Session

TwoAppendix D Example diagram for Session ThreeAppendix E Role play and questions for Session Four

Feedback form


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Introduction

This study series has helped many Christian congregations and groups to

explore what social action is and to give a biblical basis for getting involved in ourcommunities. It is designed for small groups but can also be used by individuals,within a larger congregation and with other congregations in your area.

It aims to:

Explore the biblical mandate for Christians to be involved in communityand social justice issues;

Challenge people to think about their lifestyle in the light of scripture andto take action.

PracticalitiesFor each session the material is split into two sections: For study and reflectionand Taking action. Each session should last about an hour and a half but ofcourse that is flexible and depends on the person leading, whether other materialis introduced etc. Remember to build a break time into your session if it is likelyto go on for any longer than that.

A time for prayer is allocated within each study but each group can be flexibleand choose their own length, style and timings of prayer. We cannotoveremphasise the importance of prayer when using these studies. TheCommunity Mission Prayer, Action, Reflection Cycle is a useful tool which wewould recommend underpins the series of studies:

Prayer, action and reflection areequally vital in the cycle ensuring along-term approach that is rooted inresponding to God and his heart foryour community. For more detail onthis please refer to Appendix A at theend of the sessions.


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Key

Group work exercise

Facilitator explanation

For facilitators information


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Session One - Let Scripture speak!

1. For group study and reflection

When it comes to understanding the place of social action in the Christian life,the scriptures speak loudly and clearly.

Give out the list of scriptures below to members in your group. (There is a copy inAppendix B.) Take it in turns to read the references in the order given. Pausewithout discussion for a minute or two between each one. Encourage people tolisten, reflect and let the Holy Spirit speak to them. Invite them to make a note ofthe scriptures that strike them and write down their thoughts. Explain that theycan keep these private if they wish.

Main references (where to focus if your time is limited)

Proverbs 31: 8-9 Isaiah 61: 1-3Micah 6: 8 Luke 4: 16 21Isaiah 42: 1-4 Jeremiah 22: 13-16Isaiah 58: 3-10 1 John 3: 16-18

Good secondary references (if you have more time or a larger group)

Deuteronomy 24: 17-22 Acts 4: 32-35

Psalm 72: 12-14 1 John 2: 5-6Matthew 16: 24-26 James 2: 14-17Matthew 23: 11-12 Galatians 1: 8-10Matthew 25: 31-46 Galatians 6: 9Luke 8: 21

Other relevant references (useful for individual study)

Equipment. For every person: A Bible, copies of Appendix B,notepaper and pen. Maybe a candle and a source of reflectivemusic.

The purpose of this exercise is to give people plenty of time tolisten and reflect on scripture. In order to create a quiet and

reflective atmosphere you may feel it is appropriate to have a litcandle in the centre, or play some music. Being creative withatmosphere will help people respond well to the exercise.

Scripture feast


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Exodus 22: 25-27 Luke 6: 46-48Isaiah 1: 15-17 John 20: 21Amos 5: 2124 1Corinthians 13: 1-8Matthew 7: 21-23 James 1: 27

Matthew 22: 34-40 James 2: 8Matthew 23: 23 24 James 5: 1-5

Once all the scriptures have been read, go round the group and encouragepeople to share what scriptures most affected them and why. You could start bygetting people to do this in pairs, maybe sharing their top three scriptures. Goround the group and give everyone a chance to share their responses beforegetting into any group discussion. Emphasise that this is a safe place to explorewhat people feel rather than people thinking they have to come up with the rightanswers. Accept any struggles and questions that the scriptures have provoked,maybe making a note to come back to them. Try and make sure that everyonesperspective is heard.

Then take time to pray for each other in the light of what has been read andshared.

2. Taking action

Having read and talked about the Bible, it is now time for people to consider theirresponse. As James says, faith without action is dead.

Split into twos and ask people to reflect together on what action they might taketo ensure that their lifestyle reflects Gods priorities for a gospel that is good news

to the poor and oppressed. Everyone will be in a different place on his or herjourney and that is OK. What is important is that each person has time to thinkand work out what their next stepis, even if they feel that there are many steps totake.

Hand out pieces of paper. Ask people to write out what they think theirnextsteps into social justice issues might be. Encourage people to share this in their

Jesus tells us to love our neighbour. Ask people to spend a short

time reflecting on the question: Who is my neighbour and howcan I love them? Encourage people to think about their localcommunity, their workplace and the global community to whichwe all belong.

Next steps


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pair and stick the piece of paper in a prominent place in their home! Commit totaking these steps and sharing with a friend if you are struggling to do it.

Session Two Good news to the poor


If the gospel has no power to transform situations of social injustice, oppressionand poverty, it is not good news to the poor! But who are the poor?

Ask two people to read Luke 4: 18-19 and John 20: 21. Ask if anyone has anyimmediate thoughts or comments they would like to share with the group maybein the light of the discussion at the start?

The Bible reveals Gods special concern for people who are poor, oppressed andvulnerable. These are some of the words it uses to describe them:

Having made a note of the scriptures which most affected them

encourage people to read them prayerfully every day for the nextweek, asking God to show them how he wants them to respond.Suggest people keep a journal of what they hear and feel. Youcan begin the next session by sharing any thoughts andreflections.

Equipment. For everyone: notepaper and pen.At least one Bible.

Copies of Appendix C for groups or pairsSome copies of this weeks newspapersFlipchart, or big pieces of paper, and pens to record ideas

At the start of this study take time to reflect with the group onwhat was discussed in the last study. Encourage people to feedback their thoughts and comments. How have they got on withtheir next steps? What have been the challenges to putting theminto action? What have they been really encouraged by? Havethey taken time to read the highlighted scriptures during theweek? Have they had new insights and learning?

Who are the poor?


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Oppressed, downtrodden, humiliated Powerless Yearning and insistent Defenceless and open to exploitation Needy and in want Subject and dependent Diminished and impoverished Destitute and bereft Dispossessed and evicted

(This list, and a copy of the questions below, is at Appendix C so you can print itoff or you could write it up on a flipchart.)

For each definition, ask people to think of examples of the ways these states ofpoverty reveal themselves in every day situations particularly locally. (e.g. groups

of people who might be open to exploitation, situations where power is beingmisused, circumstances in which people are kept dependent on others ratherthan encouraged to develop for themselves, areas of the world where people aredispossessed or oppressed.)

Hand out a selection of daily papers to people and use these to give your groupcurrent, real-life examples. Ask people to find articles and stories that are to dowith the aspects of poverty they have been exploring. Make a list of the differentways of being poor that they find in the newspaper.

An alternative way to run this exercise is to split into pairs and allocate one or

two definitions to each. Then get them to feed back to the larger group.

Discuss the following questions in your group (or split into two groups). Givespace for diverse opinions; do not try to find all the answers!

What are the causes of poverty? Having read and thought about some of the biblical words for poor, is

poverty just about money? What extent do the way things are run, the social structures and systems,

play a part? If an individual is poor is it their fault in some way? Is there a spiritual dimension to poverty? Is poverty part of our culture?

Then encourage people to think about their own experiences.

Exploring poverty


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What can I do?

Are there times or places where you have felt oppressed or powerless? Do you know any local people who are experiencing any form of poverty? How are Christians working alongside people who experience poverty?

How are they challenging the things that cause poverty (likeorganisations, people and the ways people think)?

How effective do you think they are? How much of a difference are theymaking?

2. Taking action

What do people think about the statement What you see depends on where youstand.? You may have time to use the following questions to encouragediscussion in the whole group

. :

Does it resonate with their life experiences? Do they have experiences of injustice and social need? If not, how should they respond? Are there ways in which they could gain more understanding?

Explain that, What you see depends on where you stand. A lotof Christian activists feel that it is difficult to understand issues ofinjustice and social need without experiencing them themselves

or hearing the stories directly from others.

Pick up on the positive actions that people have suggested theycould do. Maybe write them up on a flipchart. Look for aspectrum of opportunities such as ones for individuals, pairs,small groups, the whole group or church and a group of localchurches.It may be appropriate to suggest other actions, such as speakingto a local volunteer bureau to find out about befriending schemes

(e.g. for refugees) or to get in touch with a project in your areaworking with marginalised people and get involved with it.

Encourage people to seek to form new friendships with people inneed and listen to their experiences.


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Spend time praying about your responses.For bigger ideas you will need to break them down into smaller steps and thinkhow you can involve others.

Arrange to report back at the next session and later on


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Session Three The Gospel, the whole Gospeland nothing but the Gospel!


Ask two people to read out the following Bible passages: Isaiah 42: 1-4 and

Micah 6: 8.

The two key words that are translated as Justice in the Hebrew Scriptures aremishpat and sedeqah. There is no literal translation into English but themeaning of biblical justice is making things right.To do justice is to make things right wherever they are not right.

Equipment.Big pieces of paper or flipchart with big circles on.Pens

At least one Bible

At the start of this study, take time to reflect with the group onwhat was discussed and learnt last time. Have people had furtherthoughts on the material since you last met? Has anyone found

out any more about the biblical view of people who are poor andoppressed? Who has taken action? Has anyone brought along ajournal, or any specific comments about what they have done asa result of the last session?

Jesus death speaks life into every area of our lives. It is a wholegospel. The restoration, salvation and freedom from sin that wecan know as individuals can also be known where there iscorporate sin and injustice, such as where people are kept poor

by unjust and oppressive structures and the way people think andtalk.The purpose of this exercise is to help people consider whereChristian congregations and groups are involved in activities tolive out the gospel and what we need to do to keep the gospelwhole, making a difference to all of life.

Making things right


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On a large piece of paper, put the heading Making things right.Then draw alarge circle on the paper and split it into four sections, labelled as follows:(See Appendix D for an example)

Between people and the environment

Between people and God

Between individuals or groups and big organisations and governments

Between individuals such as couples, friends, people in families.

Ask the group to name activities where the Church is actively engaged in makingthings right. These might be local, regional, national or international initiatives or

just individuals who are doing things. As you come up with ideas, write themdown in what you think is the most appropriate section, e.g. The Alpha coursecould go in the Between people and God section.

Here are some names of initiatives to get you going:Make Poverty History, Movement for Christian Democracy, Christian EcologyLink, Church marriage preparation courses, Martin Luther King, Micah Challenge,your local Christian homelessness project.

Gather all your ideas (try and get at least twenty) and put them in the circle. Thenread aloud the following scriptures: Amos 5: 21-24, Isaiah 58: 3-10, Matthew23: 23 and Matthew 5: 14-16.

Talk about what you have done using the questions below.

Are some parts of your circle fuller than others? Which section was ithardest to think of examples for?

Do you think our culture focuses too much on individuals (It is all aboutwhat I wantbecause Im worth it!) and that this affects the way weunderstand the gospel?

How do you think God feels about his people when they focus just onindividualised faith and neglect dealing with other justice issues?

What is the impact on the Churchs reputation when we (a) ignore issues

of social justice (b) take action on issues of social justice?

Pray over the issues that have arisen in your discussion.


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2. Taking action

In your group (or pairs or smaller groups) identify an issue or a concern, whereyou think something is not right, preferably a local one or a national one thatpeople are deeply concerned about.

Then talk about the following questions and make a note of your responses:

What type of response to this injustice would be in line with Godscharacter? How do you think God feels and what would He want to do?

What type of response would be out of line with Gods character? What action can you take, no matter how small? What things might stop you taking action?

Discuss your obstacles, work out ways of overcoming them and make a plan onhow you will take action! Then pray together about your plans.

Another idea for encouraging others to action is to go and findout more about an area of injustice that concerns you (global,national, local to your community), for example the plight ofrefugees, the discrimination faced by people with disabilities, thebarriers to poorer people getting to university. Write an article for

your parish magazine, local newspaper or other publications toraise awareness and encourage others to get involved.

Righting the wrongs


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Session Four Its not what you do its the waythat you do it!


Ask two people to read Matthew 23: 11-12 and Matthew 20: 20 28. Doesanyone have any immediate thoughts or comments they would like to share withthe group?

Go round the group and ask people to think of a situation where they were notlistened to or consulted, e.g. someone making a decision which affects youwithout asking; going to the doctors and being told what you need withoutproperly being listened to first; someone making assumptions about your life

without actually talking to you.

Then ask for responses to the following questions:

How does it feel to not be listened to and to have people act as experts ofyour life?

Was it easy to resist their behaviour and challenge their assumptions?

Take time to reflect on these experiences together.

Equipment.Big pieces of paper or flipchartPens

At least one Bible

At the start of this study, take time to reflect with the group onwhat was discussed and learnt last time. Remind people of theissue you discussed. How have people got on with their actionplans? Has anyone written an article that has been published?

Remind people that over the last three studies you have beenlistening to Gods specific call to make a difference to theinjustices and poverty in our society. This calling motivates us totake action. But listening to God and listening to our communitiesmust go hand in hand. Its not just what we do, its also the waywe do it, that makes all the difference.

Listening to others


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Ask someone to read the following aloud:

People who are poor often feel that do-gooders who have not lived in their

situation parachute in and set up projects to help them without even involvingthem or talking to them. We must engage with people in poverty before doingsomething to help. If we do not, we are assuming that we know what they needand that we are the experts of their lives. We become like benefactors to thelowly poor rather than partners in their struggle.

Such attitudes in our social action create and sustain imbalances of power. Theykeep people dependent on the benefactor rather than empowering them to be incontrol of their lives. They fail to demonstrate the attitude of servanthood thatJesus talked about and modelled.

In our attempts to make a difference, we must always ask ourselves thequestion: Are we doing thingsto people,forpeople orwith people?

Divide people into two groups:

Group A will act as BENEFACTORS TOPEOPLE

Group B will act as SERVANT PARTNERS WITHPEOPLE

Explain that both groups feel God is calling them to do something to help localyoung people who have hardly any facilities or things to do in their area becauseof cuts in the youth service. Each group, in their role, needs to think about howthey would go about responding to this situation.

(Appendix E has copies of these prompts and the follow up questions)

Each group should record their thoughts on flip chart paperGive particular consideration tothe following sub-headings:

Attitudes that would be held by your group (e.g. sympathetic, humble,superior).

Practicalities of how they would they go about responding (e.g. paysomeone to run a project, do research in schools, use ideas that haveworked elsewhere).

Benefactors or servants?


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The Outcome for the young people, what difference will it make for them(e.g. provide new skills, keep them occupied, help them to make decisions).

The Outcome for the planning team i.e. your group (e.g. challenged our

attitudes, had our guilt relieved because weve done our bit)

Ask each group to present their findings, either in their role or as straightforwardfeedback. Then take time to discuss these questions:

Why is it easier to be a benefactor to people rather than a servant partnerwith people? What are the positive and negative sides of each approach?

What things can you do to engage with people to find out what they arethinking and feeling rather than just do things to them or do things forthem?

If we are to empower the poor and the powerless what do we have to do? Can you think of practical examples of this?

Follow with a time of prayer.

2. Taking action

As a group, reflect together on the actions that you have already taken in recentweeks, in response to the issues highlighted. Encourage discussion togetherusing the following questions:

What are the most important points that you have learnt? What has God put on your heart in your times of reflection or prayer? Where are you passionate to see change?

Ask people to identify their first small steps towards action in this area. It mayhelp to work in pairs. Then share these plans as a whole group. Encourage eachother in these decisions to continue acting to create change.

Decide how you want to proceed at different levels: as individuals, as pairs orsmall groups interested in a certain issue; as a church; as a group of churches.

This is the final study in the series of four. It is important to spendplenty of time now closing the series with a time of recapping,reflection, commitment to positive action and prayer. This needs

to be a good time of support and encouragement for people.

The way forward


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You will not have all the plans ready at this stage but identify where you couldstart, how you could find out more, how you could get support from others, whoyou could work alongside. It is all about making a start, praying and seeingwhere God opens doors for you to walk through.

Then close the series by spending time praying for each other. Focus on thepassions and ideas that God has stirred in each individual and pray for directionand action.


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Appendix A Prayer-action-reflection cycle

Community Mission encourages Christian congregations and groups involved intheir communities to maintain a cycle of a prayer-actionreflection. This isimportant, particularly for local congregations seeking to build authentic andlasting relationships together.

Prayer, action and reflection are equally vital in the cycle ensuring asustainable approach to restoring communities. At one extreme, activism by itselfcan easily lead to burn out. On the other hand, without any real communityengagement, our prayer or Christian reflection can easily become inward looking,

empty and irrelevant.

Prayer

There is a wide range of different ways of praying. Some congregations are usedto open, spontaneous prayer. Others favour set prayers and liturgies, or moremeditative styles using music or pictures to help focus on God. Whatever yourpreference, prayer can be a powerful way of bonding Christians together in acommon purpose.

If you are planning any kind of meeting for congregations in your community,

beforehand spend some time thinking creatively and sensitively about prayer.Who will be there? How can you make those on the edges feel comfortable andincluded? How can you focus the prayers on your local area? Ideas include:pictures of local scenes on an overhead projector, press cuttings from the localnewspaper, different prayer stationsaround a room, prayer walking aroundthe local streets.

Action

Actions really do speak louder than

words. Conversation and prayer betweenlocal congregations is vital, butrelationships are likely to grow far morequickly when we act together. Whatsmore, it can be a powerful demonstrationof unity to other congregations and people within the community.


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Take time to find out about what you could do together in your community. It canbe helpful to start with a one-off event, which can lead to longer-terminvolvement. There are many ideas for joint action, such as decorating acommunity centre, a family fun day or community carnival. Often this provides a

shared story, with lots for those involved to discuss and reflect on together.

Reflection

Once begun, community action gives us plenty to reflect on. Spending time inreflection, on our own and with others, is a great way of gatheringencouragement and seeking guidance for further action. As we return to theBible, which is packed full of inspiration and wisdom to help us work together forGods kingdom, we have a deeper appreciation of Jesus teaching and theChurch that he calls us to be.

www.communitymission.org.ukhas links to resources that can help us drawon the biblical stories. As you reflect, think about how you can share yourstoriesto encourage, support and learn from others. In turn, our reflection brings us to anew place of prayer, where we recommit plans, ideas and hopes to God andhumbly ask him to move us forward in action and unity.


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Appendix B A Scripture Feast!

Main references

Proverbs 31: 8-9 Isaiah 61: 1-3Micah 6: 8 Luke 4: 16 21Isaiah 42: 1-4 Jeremiah 22: 13-16Isaiah 58: 3-10 1 John 3: 16-18

Good secondary references

Deuteronomy 24: 17-22Psalm 72: 12-14 1 John 2: 5-6Matthew 16: 24-26 James 2: 14-17Matthew 23: 11-12 Galatians 1: 8-10Matthew 25: 31-46 Galatians 6: 9

Luke 8: 21 Acts 4: 32-35

Other relevant references

Exodus 22: 25-27 Luke 6: 46-48Isaiah 1: 15-17 John 20: 21Amos 5: 2124 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8Matthew 7: 21-23 James 1: 27Matthew 22: 34-40 James 2: 8Matthew 23: 23 24 James 5: 1-5


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Appendix C Who are The Poor?

The Bible reveals Gods special concern for people who are poor,oppressed and vulnerable. These are some of the words it uses todescribe them:

o Oppressed, downtrodden, humiliated

o Powerless

o Yearning and insistent

o Defenceless and open to exploitation

o Needy and in want

o Subject and dependent

o Diminished and impoverished

o Destitute and bereft

o Dispossessed and evicted

Some questions to talk about

1. What do you think are the causes of poverty?

2. Having read and thought about some of the biblical words forpoor, is poverty just about money?

3. To what extent do the way things are run, the social structuresand systems, play a part?

4. If an individual is poor is it their fault in some way?5. Is there a spiritual dimension to poverty?6. Is poverty part of our culture?

Based on your own experiences

7. At what times or places have you felt oppressed or powerless?8. Who are the local people experiencing a form of poverty?9. How are Christians working alongside people who experience

poverty? How are they challenging the things that cause poverty(like organisations, people and the ways people think)?

10. What sort of a difference are they making?Are they being effective?


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Appendix D The Whole Gospel.

Between people and theenvironment

Between people or groups and bigstructures in society likeor anisations or overnments.

Within relationships between individuals,couples, families and friendshipsBetween people and God


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Appendix E Its the way that you do it.

In role play as a group decide and write down

What Attitudes would be held by your group (e.g. sympathetic,humble, superior?)

What Practical things would your group do to respond to thissituation? (e.g. pay someone to run a project, do research inschools, use ideas that have worked elsewhere.)

What would be the Outcome for the young people? What

difference will it make for them? (e.g. provide new skills, keepthem occupied, help them to make decisions.)

What will be the Outcome for the planning team i.e. your group(e.g. challenged our attitudes, had our guilt relieved becauseweve done our bit)

As yourselves, discuss these questions:

Why is it easier to be a benefactor to people rather than aservant partner with people? What are the positive andnegative sides of each approach?

What things can you do to engage with people to find out whatthey are thinking and feeling rather than just do things to themor do things for them?

If we are to empower the poor and the powerless what do we

have to do?

Can you think of practical examples of this?


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Feedback formWe really hope you found this course useful. It has been revised at least twice and we

are eager to hear of any ways we could improve it.Please use this form, write an email to [email protected] or a letter to give

us your ideas and send to: Livability Community Mission, 50 Scrutton Street, London,EC2A 4XQ. Thank you!

1. Please rate each section 1 to 5 (1 poor 5 excellent)

Session One Session Two

Session Three Session Four

2. Please describe what you liked / disliked about each section?

Session One

Session Two

Session Three

Session Four

3. What would you change or add to the pack. Do you have any other

comments/suggestions on the course?

4. What other topics would you like to see covered by future packs on Christian social

action?

Name:

Address:

Email: Phone:

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Why Social Action