Respond to the Word: Heart of the Covenant
Activities for adult and all-age groups
Reflect: Study the inter-twinning and un-brokenness of the pattern on a Celtic cross or ring. The Celts had a wonderful gift of expressing symbols of eternity in design. We can grow and develop in any aspect of living knowing that love will never part from us. How do we grow into it? Share ideas. You will need: a Celtic cross or a piece of eternal Celtic interweaving, e.g. on a ring. The Celtic Resource Book by Martin Wallace would be helpful (see Resources ).
Trace: A simple flow chart might be made along the lines of a Celtic pattern on which people can mark points of our awareness of God’s love: parents, a gift from friends, a helping hand which was offered, an encouraging letter, all point us to the Creator’s love manifested through each other. This might make a good follow-on activity to Reflect (above).
Role play: The drama of Chapter 29 lends itself to role play. Create a conversation which communicates the information in Jeremiah 29.
Make: Make heart-shaped boxes (template ). Put heart-shaped biscuits or sweets inside them together with words from Jeremiah 31.33-34 and give them to people who may welcome these words and a small gift.
Discuss: Do these readings have any meaning or us today, or can they have relevance for other people? Might they inspire us to help others? Discuss these points and feed back to the whole group.
Pray: This is one of the most powerful parts of the whole Bible. Read it quietly and alone and offer a prayer of thanks, gratitude, promise, whatever you feel like.
Pray: Continue to offer an area where people can be quiet, with chairs and cushions to make it comfortable and maybe candles as well. Provide Bibles, hymn books and prayer books as resources for reflection and invite people to reflect on God’s faithfulness to us and our own response. This week provide Celtic patterns to reflect on.