Finding God

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace: For greater awareness and openness to how God reveals Himself through creation.

Use the grace and the suggested scripture above to create your own prayer, or use CLC Opening Prayer.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

• What were some of your high and low points of the week?

III. Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed:

• CLC supply box (CLC journal booklets, papers, pens, etc.)
• Arts & craft supplies of any kind (enough for all members to choose what they would like and whatever you have access to or are willing to provide for your members or that members would like to bring)
  • Examples: markers, paint, clay, play-doh, stencils, crayons, pencils, paper and glue, stickers, etc. Be as creative as possible! If needed, use ordinary objects easily at your disposal (i.e. fallen leaves, materials to be recycled, etc.)

Note: If possible, hold this meeting outside.

Introduction

Don’t imply too much about what is going to be explored in the meeting. Rather, let members experience the exercise for themselves first before giving some sort of explanation. Simply remind them that tonight’s topic is experiencing God through creation.

Exercise: Experiencing God through Creation

Lay out all the art materials you’ve provided or that members have brought. If members have brought something they know they want to use, have them note it. If possible, encourage sharing. Have each member spend 5-8 minutes creating something of their choosing (Note: Please try to keep your meeting area clean for future meetings. Lay down newspaper if using paint, etc.). If they need help with ideas, ask them to make something that depicts how they are doing right now or something about themselves. When they are done, have them pass their creation to the person on their right. Share using the following questions:

• What do you think your fellow member made? What do you think she/he was trying to communicate, if anything, in making it? What does the person’s creation tell you about them?
• (For each person to answer about their own art or creation) What is your creation? What were you trying to communicate in making it? What do you think your creation says about you?

Then explain something like...God reveals Himself through creation. We know a lot about a person through his or her works or behaviors. When we look at a piece of art, we learn something about the artist. When we see the order and the beauty of creation (if outside, highlight what can be seen around you), we know something about the creator.

By seeing the great power of the ocean with its waves and tides or the order of the universe, we know that its Creator must be great and powerful. By seeing the beauty of spring flowers, we know that its Creator must be beautiful, too. By seeing the goodness of a human person, we know that the person’s Creator must be good. God is spirit and invisible but His works are visible.

• If God is the Creator of everything that exists (if members disagree on this, encourage discussion), why do you think God created them?
• What do you think creation communicates to us about God?
• What does creation say about humanity (since we are creatures and part of creation as well)? If helpful in forming your answer, keep in mind why you think God created and what creation says about God.
• If God is forever Creator and continually willing creation to grow and develop, where are you in your process of being created? Are you allowing God to shape you, as a potter sculpts and molds clay? How do you feel about continuing to be “created”?

Listening Deeper

Suggested questions to deepen awareness of inner movements and further conversation

• What has struck you as you have been listening to others share? Do you notice any patterns or commonalities? Any common experiences and images of God?
• How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comfortable? Anxious? Curious?
• Is there anything you would like to share after listening to another person share?

IV. Moving Forward (5 min.)

• Wrap-Up: Thank members for their openness and participation.
• Action:
  1. Take an intentional period of time out of your week to pray about creation in any way you would like. Perhaps this might even mean just taking time to savor what you enjoy about the natural world. Soak it in as God’s work of art made for you and thank God for the gift of creation and for yourself as a creation.
  2. Take a “Following Your Senses” walk by yourself or with your prayer partner.
• Announcements: Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events

V. Closing Prayer (5 min.)