12 Suggestions For Interactive Responses In Church Or Small Groups
We know that when believers gather together, it’s important to share experiences that connect our minds and hearts, allow deeper contemplation, move us to places of action and compassion, and help us to engage with what is being heard or taught. These things certainly happen through worship, through sacraments and practices together, through community and fellowship, but sometimes it can be helpful to introduce a new activity within a church service or home church meeting to respond interactively to what God is doing.
Here are 12 ideas for those types of interactive responses.
Schedule something in your calendar this week. (“Let’s take a moment to book a 30 minute meeting with ourselves sometime this week to make space for prayer for our neighbourhoods.”)
Send a text to someone. (“Take two minutes to send a text of encouragement to someone that God brings to mind - simply say ‘I’m thinking of you and praying you’re having a good weekend. Hope you’re well.’ or something like that.”)
Write a note to someone. (“In your pew you’ll find a postcard addressed to one of our elders. Take time this week to write an encouragement to that person and put a stamp on it and stick it in the mail. Or, put it in the offering basket and we’ll mail it for you.”)
Do communal art. (“During this next song, consider what colour represents the season of life you’re in right now. Grab a few tiles of that colour and add them to the mosaic at the front, to help us visualize where our church is at.”)
Take a photo. (“This week, think about God’s presence in the storms of your life. Take a photo of something that reminds you of his faithful presence - a rainbow, a cool glass of water, the face of someone who encourages you - and save it as your wallpaper to remember how God is caring for you.”)
Have a discussion. (“Turn to someone near you and share an answer to this question.”)
Use an online quiz app. (“Pull out your phone and go to this site, and let’s see how much we remember about the book of Mark.” Sites like Kahoot can help set this up.)
Do some journaling. (“Grab the notebook and pen from the pew in front of you and write down two reflections you have about this topic. What do you think God wants you to remember as you leave?”)
Take social/political action. (“Take a moment now or this afternoon to sign this petition asking Toronto’s city council to provide more support to those living in shelters.”)
Taking something home. (“On your way out, grab a ribbon to tie around your steering wheel or doorknob or another visible place. When you see it, take a moment to pray about _____.”)
Take a poll. (“Using your phones, go to this site and answer the following two questions about how familiar you are with the book of Revelation and the idea of prophecy in the Bible.”)
Do a Q and A time. (“Text your questions about this topic to ***-***-**** and after the next song we’ll spend a few minutes answering them.”)