Again, the celebration/worship team would like to propose a simple to use,
tailorable to any situation, devotional help. It’s called “High-Low”.
Many of you know it and have used it; many of you used it last year at SPEC.
High-Low is one of the best ways to get young people talking about things
that matter to them. It offers a good view into what motivates and inspires
kids as well as what they don’t like. Any one of us can lead a good high low
devotion with very little prior experience if we keep a few things in mind.
Devotions are a time to celebrate the moments in the day when we have been
aware of God’s presence and to listen to, and support others in the moments
when they have felt God’s absence. This is the practice of community.
The beauty of High-Low is that it involves everyone, even the most
reticent. Any of us can talk about the best moment of the day, and the worst!
Here’s an example:
Your delegation gathers as a group in a circle or cluster. The leader or a
camper might start with a simple prayer for God’s spirit to be present in
the sharing. If someone has a song they would like to offer this would be a
great time for it. You could also sing as a group if you like. Tailor it to
the strengths/needs of your group.
Leader: “We’re going to play High-Low tonight for our devotions.
What was your high today?” (Start with the person directly to your left or right and go
around the room until each person has shared. You then share just like the
youth.) As each person shares there may be an opening for you to ask a simple
question like, “how did you feel when…” or anything else that is
authentic. Keep it simple and real.
When everyone has shared their high of the day, move on to the low. Follow
the same form as before, leader going last. (You can reverse the order if you
prefer)
When you have finished this you have several options for relating what has
been shared to the theme of the day. Here are some suggestions:
Option #1 Noticing where God was present/absent (Ignatian Awareness
Exercise)
…Where was God present today? -or-
…Where did you notice God today? -or-
… When were you most aware of God today? -or-
… Where was God absent today? -or-
…When did you notice God’s absence today?-or-
…When were you least aware of God’s presence today? -or-
…Where did you notice Love today? (Use the appropriate theme for the day, -or-
… How were you loving today? (with yourself, with family, etc) -or-
…Where did you notice an absence of love today? And so on….
Be creative in your questions. You don’t need more than one or two.
Option #2: Connecting with Daily Topics
| Saturday: |
Someday Is Now! |
| Sunday: |
Someday Is Now...so Walk Humbly |
| Monday: |
Someday Is Now...so Be Just |
| Tuesday: |
Someday Is Now...so Create Peace |
| Wednesday: |
Someday Is Now...so Heal the Planet |
| Thursday: |
Someday Is Now...so Love Courageously |
| Friday: |
Someday Is Now...so Live Generously |
| Saturday: |
Someday Is Now...go Build Community |
After this round of sharing you can close with another simple prayer either
by a camper or staff.
That’s it!
We encourage you to use this each night of camp for continuity and because
the sharing will deepen as the week progresses.
The thing to remember is to be authentic and keep it applicable to real
life. God is present in the informal as well as the formal. You never know
where God is going to show up!
That’s what makes this so cool!
Relax. Have fun. Listen deeply. Have Love!
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