Rainey Prays on Some Days

The General Idea A Baby Dedication is a special rite observed in a worship service where parents pledge to raise a child in the Christian faith. Because raising a child in the faith is not done independently, I recommend involving the parents, godparents (if applicable), and congregation in the charge to help each party recognize their responsibility in nurturing a child in the faith. I have provided a sample charge to the parents, godparents, and congregation below. Dedication Biblical Authority: Matthew 19:13-15 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Address to the Congregation The family is a divine institution ordained of God from the beginning of time. Children are...

The General Idea This opener introduces the theme of a worship service or teaching, involves the audience, gets them up and moving, and helps the audience members become better acquainted. Here is how. With everyone seated, read each question below one at a time (but do not explain it). All of the questions relate to the topic. Those who can answer “yes” to the question should stand up briefly, and then sit back down. Repeat this process until you have read all of the questions. When finished, go back and explain each question’s relevance to the topic. For example, you might introduce a series on the book of  Romans  with the following questions: Questions for Activity This is a sample of questions to introduce a study in the book of Romans. How many of you have visited the city of  Rome ,  Italy ? ( Rome  is the location of the recipients of Romans.) How many of you grew up attending a  Methodist  church? (The founder of Methodism, John Wesley...

The General Idea Instead of the pastor reading the text for the sermon each week or having no one read Scripture publicly in worship services, use rotating scripture readers to increase opportunities for participation and fulfill the biblical command to read the Scriptures publicly . Set Up and Preparation The pastor or a coordinator will oversee and schedule people to participate in this ministry. Instructions During the worship service, a designated person will read the text for the sermon or at other designated times in the worship services as directed by the coordinator.  The pastor should work with the coordinator to ensure appropriate Scriptures are read in each service. Tips for This Activity Train participants in this ministry to read aloud well . Determine other points in the services when Scripture could be read and other Scripture readers utilized, such as during a call to worship, Communion, baptism, special theme days, or to introduce songs or wors...

The General Idea You can open a sermon or teaching session with one of the lists from the Top Ten of Everything book series. Materials Needed A copy of one of Russel Ash’s The Top Ten of Everything books, an annual publication. Paper and pens/pencils Instructions Each person should have a pen/pencil and paper. Instruct audience that they will have three minutes to write down ten items they think will be on the Top Ten list that you are going to read. When time is up, call on members of the audience to guess entries that may be on the list. Tips for This Activity You may award prizes for those who got the most items correct. Use lists that are relevant for the theme of your teaching. Examples Top ten best selling books of all times (the Bible is number one) Top ten Mel Gibson movies (can use at Easter since it includes The Passion of the Christ )   Top ten tallest buildings in the world (e.g., to introduce the passage on the Tower of Babel )

The General Idea In a van or bus, a group of people will drive to spiritually significant locations in your town or city to pray about what they represent. People will stay in the vehicle and pray in what represents “drive-by praying.” Materials Needed Van or bus Qualified driver (different from prayer trip leader) Prayer trip leader Set Up Select locations that you will visit ahead of time and practice driving the route before taking the group. Instructions The prayer trip leader will plot out a course with spiritually significant locations in the town/city that the group will drive to. After stopping at the location, the prayer trip leader will introduce the significance of the location and instruct the group on how to pray. Select significant locations such as: Specific neighborhoods City hall or other government buildings Other churches Synagogues or mosques Buildings that were churches but have been converted to businesses Schools Crisis pregnancy...

The General Idea During the worship service, a prayer team will meet and provide prayer support for the various aspects of the worship service. This results in continuous prayer during the worship service and allows 5-7 people per week an opportunity to participate in ministry. Materials Needed An order of service that indicates what is happening in the worship service. A room set up where a small group of people can comfortably pray. Time Length of the worship service Set Up and Preparation A coordinator will oversee and schedule people to participate in this ministry. You will need teams of about 5-7 people who have volunteered to be absent from approximately one service per month or two. One member of each team must be spiritually mature and able to lead the group for a rather lengthy prayer and worship time. Instructions During the worship service, the prayer team will meet and provide prayer support for the worship service. They will follow the order of service, and p...

The General Idea This activity can be used in conjuction with a Bible study as a call to response or during a prayer emphasis. Spread cut-out slips of paper photocopied from the annual The Persecuted Church: Global Report at the altar area. Have people come forward and pick up a slip of paper. The paper will describe a Restricted Nation or Hostile Area . Allow 5-7 minutes for people to read the description of the country and pray for the country. Materials Needed Cut out slips of paper from country reports in The Persecuted Church: Global Report , available with the free monthly newsletter or purchase in bulk at 800.747.0085. For more information, go to http://www.persecution.com/ . Set Up Prior to session, copy the pages from the report with the descriptions of individual countries in which a country is classified as a Restricted Nation or Hostile Area. Then cut the pages into slips so that each slip of paper has information about one country. (You may also be able to print t...