Now Is The Time - Station 3

PUT ON THE NEW

Supplies Needed

- suede or leather strands (cut to bracelet size)

- blue beads

"...for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature..." - Colossians 3:9, 10

STOP LIVING IN THE PAST... FORGET THE OLD, EMBRACE THE NEW.

Sometimes the sins we commit are hard to let go of, the mistakes we've made are difficult to forget, and the wounds we've received just won't seem to heal. In this passage, Paul reminds us to stop living in the past, to forget what's already happened and embrace what can become. Our old nature, a life marked by sin and evil actions, is stripped away and we are given a new nature; one marked by love and forgiveness. Martin Luther named our former nature "the Old Adam." He said that the Old Adam in us is daily drowned in the waters of our baptism and that a New Man emerges. Through Christ and his blood on the cross we are made new. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation: the old has gone, the new is here!" So we need to start living like new creations, freed from the sin that once enslaved us... not hung up on the past... not committing the same sins over and over... not living apart from God.

Now is the time to put on something new. Take a leather strand and three blue beads. These beads represent the water used in your baptism and the three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in whose name you were baptized. Place the beads on the strand against the knot and then tie another knot to secure the beads. When you have finished constructing your bracelet, place it on your wrist. Wear this bracelet as a reminder of the new life you have in Christ and through your baptism. Remember that your old sinful nature has been stripped and washed away and that Jesus clothes you with a new nature; clean and forgiven.

Take a moment to pray to God. Ask Him to strip away the sins in your life, the ones you struggle with and the ones that keep causing you to stumble. Ask Him to wash you clean and forgive you for your past mistakes. Ask Him to send His Spirit into your heart to allow you to truly live as a new creation and embrace the newness of a life in Christ.

When you have finished praying you may move on to the next station.

Now Is The Time - Station 4

KNOW AND GROW

Supplies Needed

- two chairs facing each other

"...and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him." - Colossians 3:10

STOP TRYING TO BE THAT OTHER PERSON... KNOW GOD AND BECOME LIKE HIM.

Take a seat.

We spend a lot of time comparing ourselves to those around us, and sometimes we go to great lengths to become like them. Maybe you wear things you normally wouldn't wear to look more like __________. Maybe you say things you normally wouldn't say to sound more like __________. Maybe you do things you normally wouldn't do to act like __________. Maybe you compromise the values you normally wouldn't compromise to fit in with __________.

We all do it one point or another. But why? Why do we spend so much time and effort trying to be like somebody else? Maybe it's to fit in with that group or to hook up with that guy or that girl. Maybe it's to be popular. Maybe it's to look cool or in some way rebel against what others expect of you. Maybe it's just because you're bored. Whatever the reason may be, Paul, in this passage, says to stop trying to become that other person and instead, become like God. If you're gonna try to be like somebody else... why not strive to be like your Creator, our perfect God? That's the challenge to Christians... not to become God... but to become like Him. And how can we become like God? Well, the first step is to discover who God is. You have to get to know Him. And through our discovery of God and who He is we are renewed in Spirit and truth.

Now is the time to get to know God and grow in your relationship with Him.

In the chair opposite you, visualize God Himself sitting there. Imagine the two of you sitting together, alone, with nobody else in the room. Now, get to know God. Ask Him questions. Interview Him. Pick His brain. Have a heart-to-heart conversation with Him. Tell Him your thoughts, your fears, your worries, your doubts, your hopes, your dreams. Ask Him how you can become more like Him. But don't do all the talking... wait awhile, be patient and listen. Hear what your heavenly Father has to say to you.

When your conversation has ended you may move on to the next station.

Now Is The Time - Station 5

TEAR DOWN WALLS

Supplies Needed

- paper walls or bricks

- pens

"In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us." - Colossians 3:11

STOP FOCUSING ON WHAT SEPARATES US AND START LOOKING AT WHAT UNITES US - CHRIST!

We do it all the time... we build up these walls that separate us from each other, walls that even separate us from God. We do it to keep out those who are different from us, those not in our clique or social circle, and those we look down upon, ignore, or even hate. We also build walls to keep us safe and comfortable. But here in this passage, Paul is challenging us to tear down those walls; to stop focusing on the things that divide us and to start looking at what unites us. And that common bond, the glue that holds us ALL together is Jesus Christ. In fact, Paul says that since Christ in all of us... He is all that matters!

Now is the time for you to reflect on the walls you've built up. Take a paper wall and a pen and inside the bricks write down some of the divisions you've created in your life. Maybe it's between you and a specific person, or a group of people. Maybe it's a wall you've built between you and your relationship with your family, your friends... even God. Maybe it's a roadblock you've constructed that's keeping you from growing closer to Christ. Maybe it's your own insecurities or fears that prevent you from including or accepting others or opening yourself up to a deeper connection with the Lord. Whatever they may be, list as many walls as you can think of.

Once you have filled in the bricks of your wall. Take a few minutes to connect with God in prayer. Pray that God would tear down the walls you've built that separate you from others. Pray that He would give you the courage and conviction to refrain from building new walls. And pray that God would allow you to see Christ in those around you and that in doing so, you would feel moved to love those people, regardless of who they are.

When you have finished praying, tear apart your paper wall. Do this as a symbolic act and reminder of the new life in which you now live through Christ's love and forgiveness. You may then move on to the next station.

Noise - Prayer Station 1

[UN]EXPECTED PLACES

Supplies Needed
- a digital photo frame
- various digital images of people, places, or things through which one might encounter God

Like Elijah, we often expect to encounter God in obvious places: in Church, in the Bible, in prayer... perhaps even in some miraculous sign or event. And when we don't "find" Him in those obvious places, we feel let down, misled, maybe even abandoned. But God is all around us! He is everywhere! Perhaps we are just looking in the wrong place.

Spend a few quiet moments looking at the images on the screen. As each image appears, ponder how you might see God in that scene. Don't forget that God can use the small, unexpected things in life to get your attention. Look closely and listen for His voice. Pray that God would speak to you, and that you would have the patience and commitment to hear Him clearly.

Noise - Prayer Station 2

A GOD WHO HEARS

Supplies Needed
- Psalm 86 (printed out or in a Bible opened to that passage)

No matter how much noise, static interference or distraction is happening in our lives, we have a God who hears our prayers; our cries for help, our shouts for joy. Spend a few quiet moments reflecting on Psalm 86...

...Read the lyrics over and over again. Imagine the feelings of the writer as he pours his heart out to God. Sing this psalm, this praise-song, knowing that the same God who heard the prayers of King David hears ours as well. Pray these words with the confidence that God will lean an ear your way, and listen to the cries of His child.

Noise - Prayer Station 3

ADDING TO THE NOISE

Supplies Needed
- a "boom-box" (cardboard box resembling a stereo with an opening on the top)
- paper cassette tapes (Google Image search "cassette tape" for templates)
- markers/pens

Everyday there are things in our life that add to the "noise," distracting us from hearing God's voice or muting it altogether. This is your opportunity to to reflect on those things in your life that are only adding to that noise. What things are coming between you and God? What sins, habits, emotions, doubts, relationships, activities, possessions are getting in the way of you connecting to God?

Take a few quiet moments to name those things. Be specific. Being able to clearly identify our distractions is the first step to overcoming them. Then, write them down on the paper cassette tapes and drop them into the boom-box. Pray that God would remove those distractions, that noise, and allow you to experience the fullness of life in Him.

Noise - Prayer Station 4

SEEING THROUGH THE STATIC

Supplies Needed
- an "old" television set that plays static

Spend a few quiet moments staring at the static on the screen. Like the static snow, sin distorts the once perfect picture of life with God. It creates a fuzzyness that blurs the image of who God is, what He has done, and what He desires of us. In order to see that image more clearly, we must "tune in," focus on Him and listen for His commands. It's not as simple as it sounds, and we are easily distracted, but God is calling out to us! Listen. What is He saying? What is God trying to tell you right now? What is He trying to show you? If God were to appear on the television screen and speak directly to you, what would He say? Pray that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you would be able to see God for who He is and what He has done. Pray that He would reveal Himself and His will to you. Pray that each day you would grow closer to Him and in doing so, come to see a clearer picture of what it looks like to be child of God.

"New Year... Now What?" - Station 1

Supplies Needed
- 2 large tables
- black tablecloth or fabric
- white tablecloth or fabric
- waste basket
- note cards / paper
- pens
- station instructions

Station Set-Up

Position the two tables parallel to each other. Cover Table #1 with black fabric and place on it the waste basket, note cards, pens and Table #1 instructions. Cover Table #2 with white fabric and place on it note cards, pens and Table #2 instructions. Participants start at Table #1, and once they are finished, turn around to Table #2.

Instructions for Table #1

Take a moment to reflect on this past year. Reflect on the ups and downs, the joy and sadness, the good and the bad.

Using the note cards and pens provided, write down the struggles, pain, sorrows and regrets you experienced this past year. Once you have released those things, place your note card in the waste basket as a symbolic act of throwing away the things of the past, the moments and choices you would like to forget. Now (both figuratively and literally) turn your back on those things and continue on the table behind you.

Instructions for Table #2

Having turned your back on the things of the past year, you are now free to look ahead. God says through the prophet Isaiah, "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past." We have a God who forgives and forgets... now it is your turn to do the same.

Using the note cards and pens provided, write down the hopes and dreams you have for this new year, your expectations and desires, your promises to both God and yourself. In what ways will you make this year different? What commitments are you willing to make?

Once you have written down those things, place the note card in your pocket and carry it with you as a reminder of your hopes for this new year. Finally, offer up a prayer to God asking for His help in keeping the promises and commitments you made.

"New Year... Now What?" - Station 2

Supplies Needed
- 5 mirrors
- signs for each mirror (see below)
- station instructions

Station Set-Up
Label the mirrors 1-5 and hang them on a wall or place them on a table in numbered order. Create signs to be read under each mirror that ask the following questions...

Mirror #1: HOW DO I LOOK? How do I measure my worth by my appearance?

Mirror#2: WHAT HAVE I ACCOMPLISHED? How do I measure my worth by my achievements?

Mirror #3: HOW WELL AM I LIKED? How do I measure my worth by others approval?

Mirror #4: WHAT DO I OWN? How do I measure my worth by my affluence?

Mirror #5: HOW DOES JESUS SEE ME? How does Jesus measure my worth?
No matter how insignificant you feel... Jesus loves you.
No matter what others say about you... Jesus accepts you.
No matter what you've done... Jesus wants to be with you.

We often fall for the trap of judging our worth by appearance (How do I look?), achievement (What have I accomplished?), approval (How well am I liked?), or affluence (What do I own?). However, if we truly know Jesus, and who he is, we find that he- no matter how insignificant we feel, what others say, or what we've done- love us, accepts us, and desperately wants to be with us.

Spend a few moments looking into each mirror and answering the questions posted below them. When you have had a chance to look at the the mirrors and answer the questions, take another moment and offer a prayer to Jesus Christ, thanking him for loving you, accepting you, and wanting to be with you, regardless of how you may see yourself.

*Adapted from a prayer station found in "Sacred Space" by Kimball & Lewin

"New Year... Now What?" - Station 3

Supplies Needed
- several bamboo or straw beach mats
- large standing cross
- station instructions

Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven..." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat and go home!" and the man jumped up and went home! (Matthew 9:2, 6-7)

This story helps us address some reasons why the thought of changing can paralyze us. Whether is our anxiety about being alone or different, fears of the future, past regrets, or doubts about our abilities. God has given us community (the paralyzed man's friends), himself (saying "Be encouraged..."), and freedom from guilt (forgiveness) to enable seemingly impossible change (transformation in and through Christ).

Kneel or lie down on the mat- symbolically placing yourself before Jesus, like the paralyzed man in the story you just read. Then ask yourself, "What are the anxieties, fears, regrets or doubts that have paralyzed me from changing or being transformed by Christ?"

Finally, stand up- healed and restored- just like the man in the story. Offer up a prayer to God asking for forgiveness, love and peace to take the place of those things that once paralyzed you from change. When you are finished, move on to the next station.

*Adapted from a prayer station found in "Sacred Space" by Kimball & Lewin

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 1

"Our Father, who art in heaven..."

Supplies Needed
-digital photo frame
-various digital images depicting God, heaven, fathers, etc.

Look closely at the pictures on the screen. Focus on one or two that remind you of this part of the Lord's prayer. God invites every one of His children to come before Him in prayer. Put yourself in the picture, or consider the situation in the picture. How is God speaking to you through the image?

Here is God's invitation to speak to Him, child to Father. He doesn't require us to address Him in formal words, but to address Him as "Dad." And, as the perfect Father, He listens to His dear children and is able to provide all that they need.

As you pray...
+ Take your relationship with your earthly parent(s) to God. Offer up a prayer of thanksgiving, ask for forgiveness, for guidance, for reconciliation... for whatever that relationship needs.
+ Share your deepest fears, your hidden conflicts, your strongest desires... whatever you wish to share... with your Father in heaven.
+ Remember our Father, the King of heaven and earth, can move heaven and earth to provide everything you need in this life and the next.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 2

"...hallowed be Thy Name..."

Supplies Needed
-portable CD player(s)
-headphones
-several praise & worship CDs

Put on the headphones and disappear for awhile. Be taken away by the music, listen to the lyrics, pray with the singer. Let the poetry and beauty of the sound capture and express your heart.

Here we state a truth: God is Holy. He alone is the Holy One and everything else is dim and dull and imperfect compared to Him. Here we ask that we keep God's Name holy by living lives that reflect that holiness.

As you pray...
+ Ask for forgiveness for the times you've fallen short of reflecting God's holiness.
+ Spend time in silence and awe that this God of wonders would choose to love you.
+ Give thanks for the gift of a relationship with such a God.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 3

"...Thy Kingdom come..."

Supplies Needed
-a bowl of candy

Take and eat a piece of candy. This is not a snack to satisfy your appetite, but a touchable, taste-able reminder of the goodness of God. Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

God is the King of the universe, of heaven, and of His church on earth (all believers). Here we pray that the Holy Spirit would come and stay with us... that His Kingdom would come to us. We also pray that His eternal Kingdom would quickly come.

As you taste the sweetness of the candy and as you pray...
+ Give thanks for the gift of God's Holy Spirit, His continual guiding presence in your life.
+ Give thanks for the "tastes" of heaven you see everyday in the way God blesses you.
+ Pray that you would be aware of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life.
+ Ask for God's continued grace and guidance to live a life that is faithful until death.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 4

"...Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Supplies Needed
-notebook paper or index cards
-writing surfaces
-pens or pencils

Write your prayer. Write your thoughts, your fears, your needs, your hurts, hopes, joys... anything. Express yourself to God in written words, just for Him to read. When you are finished, take your written prayer with you.

God's Will seems elusive at times. There are so few earthquakes, burning bushes, and stone tablets being handed out these days. But God's Will is more knowable the better you know Him. Here we pray that His Will would be obvious to us and that we would live a life directed by it.

As you pray...
+ Recognize that God's Will is not secret or unknowable to you.
+ Ask God to make His Will known to you.
+ Ask God to help you see the needs of others.
+ Pray that nothing would get in the way of you living your life according to His good and perfect Will.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 5

"Give us this day our daily bread..."

Supplies Needed
- several Bibles of different translations and paraphrases
(you may wish to bookmark or highlight meaningful passages or verses)

Search God's Word for His precious promises. Find answers, comfort, strength, peace...

Here we pray that God would give us everything we need for this life and we recognize that all we have comes from Him. This part of the prayer is about trust that God will provide.

As you pray...
+ Give thanks to God for everything He has given to you.
+ Recognize those moments you've been selfish or unsatisfied with God's gifts and ask for forgiveness.
+ Ask for a change of heart... a heart of satisfied thanksgiving for God's gracious gifts.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 6

"...and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..."

Supplies Needed
-craft sticks
-large, standing cross

Think about the times in your life where you've hurt someone because of sin. As you ponder, break a stick into pieces as a symbol of the brokenness we experience as sinful humans. Break additional pieces as you are reminded of those who have hurt you. Break these pieces as a reminder of the brokenness we feel from when they hurt us. Now, lay all of the broken pieces at the foot of the cross, the true symbol of forgiveness and healing.

Anytime we are in God's presence we have to acknowledge our position before Him... we are sinful and do not deserve anything, not even for our prayers to be heard. So, we beg for forgiveness and to be made right with God, and we vow to treat others as He has treated us.

As you pray...
+ Recognize your sinfulness.
+ Lay your sins at the foot of the cross.
+ Name the sin that keeps coming back and give it over to Jesus.
+ Picture in your mind those people you need to forgive, ask for forgiveness for not forgiving them and vow to make the relationship right.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 7

"...and lead us not into temptation..."

Supplies Needed
-rocks or stones

It's not that we're asking God not to tempt us... He doesn't do that. We're asking Him to guard us and keep us safe from temptation, from our own sinful nature and from the devil. In Matthew 4 we read, "Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil." Are you in the desert? Where do you see Satan working to tempt you? In this same story the devil tempts a hungry Christ to turn rocks into bread to satisfy His hunger. Where have you let rocks become bread in your life?

As you pray...
+ Name those things that regularly tempt you.
+ Ask for God to send His holy angels to protect you during temptation.
+ Ask that God would strengthen you to stay away from situations where temptation is especially strong.

As you leave this station, take with you a rock to remind you that Christ is our rock, our firm foundation against the things that cause us to stumble. He is the Living Stone and Breath of our salvation. It is He who leads us away from temptation as we realize His presence in our lives.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 8

"...but deliver us from evil."

Supplies Needed
-(1) candle

Focus on the candle's flame, its flickering movements, colors, shapes, and warmth. Use this line of the prayer or your own words to God and repeat them over and over again. Meditate on those words. Sit in silence and listen to God's words to you.

Evil is real and it's all around us. The devil is real and he works hard against God's people. There are battles being fought for our souls. Here we pray that God would guard our souls and keep us faithful to Him until death or his return. We pray that God would bring light into a dark world.

As you pray...
+ Thank God for being protection against evil.
+ Pray for safety from everything the devil would do to steal your soul.
+ Pray that God will keep your light strong in a world of darkness.

"The Lord's Prayer" - Station 9

"For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever. Amen."

Supplies Needed
-paper or large index cards
-markers

Using the materials here and your creativity, express yourself to God. Create a masterpiece for His gallery, or simply draw a picture to hang on his refrigerator. Here is your chance to express what He has laid on your heart. It is an opportunity to communicate your faith and trust in that what He has promised will come true.

We can ask all of these things of God because nothing is too much for Him. He has promised that He is for us, His children. And His promises are guaranteed. When we say, "Amen," we really are saying, "You will do what You have promised... I believe it."

As you pray...

+ Have confidence in God and His promises.
+ Say, "Amen" with a heart that trusts in God.
+ Be refreshed and renewed, having spent time in the presence of a caring, loving, and holy God.

"Holiness" Prayer Station (1 of 4)

WRITE

Supplies Needed
-paper
-pens
-envelopes
-mailbox (optional)

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in! Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life. (Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24, MSG)

Meditate on the passage above, read it again and again, and as you do consider your life right now. “What are you about?” Where are you at in your walk with God? Are you where you want to be? God knows our thoughts before we think them, he knows our actions before we commit them. Yet there is still a benefit in us examining our lives, our thoughts, and our actions. God tells us to come to him, laying down what’s on hearts and minds, ready to receive his forgiveness and love. As an act of confession, take a moment to write out those things that are on your heart and mind. Whether they are the sins you are struggling with, the desires you wish to obtain, or the peace you are seeking, write them down in a prayer to God… a short letter to your heavenly Father. This letter can be as long or as short as you would like. Simply take this opportunity to express in words the emotions and feelings you have when you consider your life in light of God’s holiness. Once you have written your letter, put it in an envelope, seal it, and place it in the mailbox. These letters will NOT be read by anyone. They are between you and God. After you have done this you may meditate further on your life, on the things hidden, and on those things exposed, or continue on to the next station.