A Message to be Shared

• Invite a guest speaker, someone connected with anti-trafficking

• Buy prizes, eg various Fairtrade chocolates or mixed snack size packs, making sure the chocolate is fully Fairtrade and slave-free (some of the biggest UKI brands are not slavery-free chocolate)

• Check out The Salvation Army’s Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Department (ATMS) for information, a Spot the Signs video and volunteering opportunities that may be of interest to members

• Organise the meeting space differently or provide some ear defenders; or ask a member who can speak another language to read the announcements – see below

• Prepare for a set of simple challenges that can be done independently; ask a member to be ready not to receive a prize – see below

The aim of this session is to remind people that, with fewer people attending church services, we as followers of Jesus are the ‘sermon’ others will hear and see. And it’s not just what we say but how we live our lives that shares the good news of Jesus. 

So today we will consider our lives and our testimonies, and how we can join in with sharing the good news when we speak up for others in our community whose voices aren’t heard.

SET-UP

Change your meeting space to be a different, more challenging environment for members. For example:

• Organise the chairs in the room so it is different from the usual room set-up, eg put fewer chairs in some rows and advise members that chairs can’t be moved; or
• Give ear defenders to some attendees so they can’t hear what is going on; or
• Invite someone to give out the announcements in a different language.

 Ask members how it feels not to be able to hear or understand what is going on or not be able to sit in their usual place or with their friends.

Thought

Exploitation is about treating people unfairly, giving them false promises and hopes, not including them in conversations and not giving them information that matters to them. Remind members that in speaking up for the injustices we see in our world we are joining in with Kingdom of God justice and sharing the gospel and the love of God. 

CHALLENGES

Ask everyone to complete at least one activity from a variety of options – for example: a spelling bee (choose easy words), simple sums, unscramble words or even star jumps for the more agile. Assure everyone that if they complete the challenge/s you give them, they will receive a reward of a chocolate bar. 

Beforehand, arrange with one member that you will ask them to complete more activities than everyone else but then not reward them. Hopefully someone will speak up and question this. When someone speaks up, give the individual their chocolate bar. 

Thought

Explain that fairness was achieved when someone else stood up for this individual and spoke out against unfair treatment.

VISITOR

Invite a guest speaker to share with the group about their work in anti-trafficking.

Alternatively, share information and the Spot the Signs video from ATMS.

Isaiah 58

We are called to share the good news with all people in our community. In The Salvation Army’s Anti-trafficking and Modern Slavery Department, personnel become aware of the many stories where people have been sold false hope and had their dreams destroyed. 

Sharing the gospel with these people is about showing them that Jesus is our only hope and the only one we can rely on and trust in completely. He will never let us down. We can follow Jesus’ commandment to love others by ‘being Jesus’ to them in their daily lives, showing his light and unconditional love. 

Within the ATMS Department are chaplains. They engage in a ministry of presence. How many times do we hear people say, ‘I wish someone was around’ or ‘I wish I had someone to talk to or listen to me’? Chaplains are there for survivors of trafficking and for the officers, staff and volunteers who walk with them, building trust and authentic relationships. They share the love of Jesus, often in the darkest of situations. 

In a similar way and although unqualified, we can join in with this ministry of chaplaincy, this ministry of presence – journeying with others, listening to their stories, loving them and not judging them.

Isaiah 58 reminds us that the gospel is a gospel of freedom. We join in with this gospel, this good news, when we speak up for and help others to live in the freedom that God brings through Jesus.

This poem reminds us that we can join in with the mission of God’s salvation by living lives that put him first and by looking out for those who need to hear and know God’s love and to have someone to journey alongside them as they explore the Christian faith.

POEM

I’d rather see a sermon 

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 

I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. 

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, 

Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear; 

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, 

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done; 

I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. 

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true, 

But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do; 

For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, 

But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind. 

When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind 

Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me 

To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be. 

And all travellers can witness that the best of guides today 

Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold; 

One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. 

Who stands with men of honour learns to hold his honour dear, 

For right living speaks a language which to everyone is clear. 

Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, 

I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

Edgar A Guest

• SASB 1001     ‘Help us build a loving world’

  • Instrumental piano lyric video by Andy Toy (2:42)

• SASB 998       ‘Beauty for brokenness’ by Graham Kendrick

  • Lyric video by Graham Kendrick Music (5:21)

  • Instrumental brass lyric video by Stotfold Salvation Army (4:37)

  • Lyric video by Regent Hall (5:09)

• SASB 1002     ‘I, the Lord of sea and sky’ (Here I am, Lord)

  (Please note v1 line 7 should be ‘Who will bear my light to them?’)

  • Lyric video by Jonathan Priday (4:26)

  • Instrumental piano lyric video by The Salvation Army Songbook (3:53)