class iv regional school: (chapter 6 of the journey)

2011 Regional Schools

Class 4Stephanie Anna Hixon

the journey forgiveness, restorative justice and reconciliation

Written by Stephanie Hixon & Thomas Porter

Prayerspage 124 of The Journey

Quiet reflection

The Lord’s Prayer

Responsive Readingpage 124 of The Journey

Leader: Fire up the cooking pots!

Set a new place at the table…Just in case she comes home.

ALL: I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10b).

We covenant to:Prepare prayerfully and carefully for the study.Speak with respect.

When talking piece is used, speak only when you have the talking piece.

Be honest – saying what you think, not what you think you should say.

Speak only for yourself.Speak in a way that encourages

dialogue.Be brief and to the point.

Listen with respect.

Our Covenant (page 16)Our Covenant (page 16)

Listen for understanding the text and one another.Try to understand perspectives that are

different from yours and respect the fact that the goal is not consensus on the meaning of the text but learning and sharing.

Carefully hold all the differences together.Be open to new viewpoints, new ideas – to being transformed.

Keep confidential those personal stories shared in the Circle.

Stay in the Circle throughout the discussion and come to all of the sessions, if at all possible.

Our Covenant (continued)Our Covenant (continued)

Amazing GraceUMH #378

Amazing grace! how sweet the sounda saved a soul like me!I once was lost, and now am found;Was blind and now I see.


’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,And grace my fears relieved;How precious did that grace appearThe hour I first believed.


Through many dangers, toils and snares,I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,And grace will lead me home.

Reading of the Textpage 125 of The Journey

Group 1 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who

had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong

to me.’ So he divided his property between them.”


Group 2 A few days later the younger son

gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered

his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe

famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.


Group 3 So he went and hired himself out to one

of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He

would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating,

and no one gave him anything.


Group 1But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hiredhands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! Iwill get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son treat me like one of your hired hands.”


Group 2So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his fathersaw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms aroundhim and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned againstheaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”


Group 3But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe — the bestone — and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this sonof mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And theybegan to celebrate.


Group 1Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and approached thehouse, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and askedwhat was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your fatherhas killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.”


Group 2Then he became angry and refused to go in. His

father came out and beganto plead with him. But he answered his father,

“Listen! For all these yearsI have been working like a slave for you, and I

have never disobeyed yourcommand, yet you have never given me even a

young goat so that I mightcelebrate with my friends. But when this son of

yours came back, who hasdevoured your property with prostitutes, you

killed the fatted calf for him!”


Group 3Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”

Concluding RitualPage 137, The Journey

One: Out of the depths, we cry to you, Lord.Many: Hear our voice. Hear our cry.One: ListenMany: Between each heartbeat.One: ListenMany: Between each breath.One: ListenMany: To things we don’t say,One: Can’t say,Many: things from which we run away.Silence

Concluding RitualPage 137, The Journey

One: If you counted every wrong we’ve done, who could stand, Lord?

Many: But you forgive.One: So we wait on you.Many: Our souls wait.One: In your word is hope.Many: We long for you,One: More than the endless night looks for

dawn,Many: More than hunger looks for food,One: We hope.Many: For God is our hope and our salvation.

class iv regional school: (chapter 6 of the journey)

Spiritual

text page

responsive reading page

ritual page

prayers page

elder son

son ofyours

twas grace

amazing grace umh