Work and the Land
Engage: with the week’s podcast...
Connect: with your small group this week…
Join your group’s channel on discord and use that to find a space to connect this week!
Use the following as a guide for your time, if you’d like! Have each person take turns sharing. Please be mindful of how much space you are taking up--if you tend to take up more space, make space for others; if you tend not to share, consider taking up space.
Entering In / Group Examen
How are you entering into this space? What emotions are you experiencing in your body/heart/mind?
What word/phrase would you use to describe your (work) week?
When did you experience God’s presence in your week?
When did you experience the absence of God’s presence in your week?
Discussion
What did you find challenging or convicting about the Work and the Land podcast? (Norman Wirzba - Doctrine of Creation Lecture, Brandi and Josh Conversation, Wendell Berry + Mary Oliver Poems, nature prayer exercise w/ Jeremiah 17:7-8)
What was your biggest takeaway from the Podcast?
What do you want to try as a way to connect with God through nature during your workday? - see some ideas below
Learn the names of some of the plants, trees, and birds that are at your place of work? Notice how they change during the year.
Take a 5 minute break and listen to nature sounds on your phone/computer.
Bring a plant to work and take care of it.
Eat mindfully and with a grateful heart.
Walk barefoot on grass.
Sensory meditation 5,4,3,2,1 (as depicted in the podcast)
Group activity: Complete Venn Diagram
If you haven’t already, take some time to fill out the venn diagram.
This will likely be a much longer process of discernment. It’s okay to only have a basic idea of what you want to do.
Discuss & Share
Share your Venn Diagrams
What else would you like to learn as you continue to discern the work you can do to better love and care for God’s creation?
Closing
How can this group pray for you this week?
Apply: on your own this week ...
- Activity: Spend some time connecting with God through creation this week.
- Sabbath Activity: Try an extended Forest Therapy Session - [Link] [Spotify Link]
- For deeper learning:
- Drawdown.org - Project Drawdown. A comprehensive list of the most effective ways that we can limit climate change.
- Did you know that one of the leading climate scientists is a Christian, and an IV alumna? Here is a recording of Josh interviewing Dr. Katherine Hayhoe last summer. [Link] (1 hour)
- How to Save the Planet Podcast