17th February–3rd April 2010

Joining God at the Edges

Prayer and Bible Study Book Copyright © 2009 Lent Event

Lent Event PO Box 2738 Carlingford NSW 2118 e: [email protected] p: 1300 536 838

Permission to reproduce this book 17th February–3rd April 2010 Lent Event is keen to make this Prayer & Bible Study Book widely available. Permission is granted to reproduce and transmit this material, provided Lent Event is acknowledged as the resource originator. Copies of Lent Event resources can be downloaded without charge from Joining God at the Edges www.lentevent.com. Copies of the Prayer & Bible Study Book can be purchased from www.lentevent.com or by calling 1300 536 838. All proceeds from the sale of the Prayer & Bible Study Book go towards running Lent Event.

Scripture quotations in the Prayers are from HOLY BIBLE, Prayer & Bible Study Book NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, Lent Event 2010 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. Bible study by Rev. Dr Chris Budden All rights reserved. Daily prayers by Rev. Kent Crawford Scripture quotations in the Bible Study are from the Good with Rev. Dr Kerry Enright (Sunday prayers) News Bible, Today’s English Version, published by the Bible Society in Australia.

Photography by UnitingWorld (Relief and Development Unit) Editing by Ken Goodlet Graphic design by Paul Cattanach Design Printed in Australia ISBN: 978-0-646-51640-0 Contents

About Lent Event 6

Welcome to the Daily Prayers 8 Daily Prayers Ash Wednesday 11 1st Sunday 13 2nd Sunday 17 3rd Sunday 22 4th Sunday 29 5th Sunday 34 6th Sunday 38 Easter Sunday 43

Welcome to the Bible Study 45 Bible Study Study 1 52 Study 2 60 Study 3 67 Study 4 74 Study 5 81 Study 6 88

Lent Event Projects 98

Donation Form 100

Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book 5 About Lent Event saved to support projects that offer Nevertheless, we do have a a better future to our brothers and responsibility and the choices we What good is it, my brothers, sisters in some of the world’s most make every day influence, one way if a man claims to have faith but impoverished nations. or another, this global catastrophe. has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister Lent Event has become a popular Extreme poverty is not just is without clothes and daily food. movement that has a direct and an economic problem: it is also If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish lasting impact on communities that a theological one. Lent Event came you well; keep warm and well fed,’ most need help. Participation aids about as a unique way of but does nothing about his physical vital development projects that addressing this problem while needs, what good is it? In the educate and empower people living The call to Lent Event promoting the reconciliation of same way, faith by itself, if it is not in extreme poverty. To date, Lent peoples and resources. It is no less than the act of assisting God accompanied by action, is dead. Event has raised over $1.3 million God’s call to mission has been in the resurrection of forsaken James 2:14-17(NIV) for the transformational projects heard by Christians throughout communities. sponsored by UnitingWorld’s Relief the ages, but the way in which Lent Event is a God-inspired and Development unit. Conducted this call is answered depends on Most modern day Christians vision that invites Australians to by partner churches in selected many factors and varies greatly. live busy lives and juggle many re-evaluate their lifestyles while regions, these projects focus on Ultimately though, mission is about demands. It can be a challenge helping some of the world’s ensuring ownership and self- God working through us for the to find the time to participate in poorest people in the forty days determination by local people. benefit of all creation. mission. Taking part in Lent Event leading up to Easter. Traditionally requires no major life changes, Lent is a time of profound spiritual In 2010, Lent Event has the The worldwide movement to only minor adjustments that could significance for Christians. Lent opportunity to bring about positive overcome extreme poverty is well prove personally beneficial. Event brings Lent into the 21st change in communities in Papua evidence of the Holy Spirit at work Even so, it is a powerful expression century by giving individuals and New Guinea, Solomon Islands, in the world today. The causes of of the Christian spirit and a chance TION communities from all walks of life South India, Sudan, Timor-Leste poverty are many and complicated to act as ambassadors of Christ. an opportunity to follow the and Zambia. and it is difficult for those of us We are invited to forego something example of Jesus by making a who are relatively wealthy to of our choice during the 40 days real difference in the lives of others. For more information please comprehend the reality of living of Lent as an entry to the broader visit www.lentevent.com or call in extreme poverty. It’s all too spiritual disciplines of Lent — Lent Event simply involves giving 1300 536 838. easy to become overwhelmed of reflection, study and prayer — and in doing so to reconsider up a luxury or two for the Lenten with a sense of powerlessness our priorities, lifestyle choices period and donating the money in the face of images of suffering. and values. C INTRODU

6 Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book 7 Lent Event is a journey of body, Welcome to the Daily Prayers And so, it is a privilege to be asked Can I encourage you use the mind and spirit. Embraced by the Lent Event team to lead you following prayer method to spark holistically, it can bring about Thus says the Lord: Stand at the in prayer. It is an enormous task your own experience of prayer: personal as well as global crossroads, and look, and ask and a deep honour and I have • Settle in to a prayerful space transformation. This Bible Study for the ancient paths, where the sought to bring my best to the task. and moment & Prayer Book has been written good way lies; and walk in it, and • Read the Bible Passage as a tool to guide you along find rest for your souls. But they Prayer is but one of the spiritual • Read the Prayer the way and help you grow said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ disciplines that we are invited • Seek connections between in Christian faith. Godspeed. Jeremiah 6:16 to deepen our practice of during your life, the passage and Lent. Spiritual disciplines are the prayer Blessings, It is a privilege to be asked to lead difficult in many ways to practice. • Pray the Prayer slowly in prayer. Our modern lives don’t easily and intentionally accommodate times of silence • Feel free to repeat any or Whenever I stop even for a moment and reflection. Often our character all steps Sarah White to reflect on what it means to lead resists the humbling of our will • Reflect upon the impact Lent Event Program Director people in prayer I am deeply moved to the will of God. Yet in each of this prayer time on your by the honour that it is. I am being spiritual discipline, and certainly discipleship journey invited to lead people more deeply in prayer, there is a deep gift to into an awareness of the presence be found, for in practicing the My hope for all of us who and purposes of God. presence of God we rediscover over participate in Lent Event 2010 and over who and whose we are. is that we would experience As a leader of prayer I am stepping deeper into the flow responsible for shaping words I have deliberately varied the of God’s grace in this world by and phrases that seek to connect use of ‘I’ and ‘We’ throughout walking more closely in the way with the lived experience the collection for I am personally of Jesus Christ and opening TION of amazingly diverse people. convinced that both are vital, ourselves to the transformation I am seeking through inconspicuous and that to use either exclusively of the Holy Spirit. May God’s poetry to name the moment, would render the experience Kingdom come! whatever that might be, and incomplete. Whether used in groups to somehow through words or in private, the variation of the and silence, engage the hearts personal pronoun is deliberately and minds of those searching after intended to help us engage at both a deeper connection with God a corporate and individual level Kent Crawford in that moment. in the experience of Lenten prayer. Daily Prayer author C INTRODU

8 Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book 9 Wednesday, February 17th Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 As this journey begins, teach me more about who and whose I am. Let me be open to receive the gifts you have to offer through the spiritual disciplines of Lent: gifts of correction, encouragement, obedience, simplicity and clarity. Ready me to declare my allegiance to Christ, not just with my lips but by my example and witness. Draw me closer to you, Mighty God, that I may have the courage and strength needed to truly walk the way of Christ. Amen.

Thursday, February 18th

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 Who are we that you would call us to act as Christ’s ambassadors? Isn’t that a high ranking for ordinary disciples like us? Don’t we need years of experience and expertise to qualify for the title – ‘ambassadors’? We know that Jesus called ordinary folk to follow, and that he handed to them the authority to continue his mission and ministry. This is part of the inheritance of faith handed to us, and this day we are humbled and amazed that you, O God, would choose us. So may we, by our lives, entreat all around us to the reconciliation that is the way of Christ. Amen.

Timor-Leste P RAYER S Health and Livelihood 10 Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book Lent Event – Prayers 11 Friday, February 19th Sunday, February 21st

Psalm 51:1-17 Prayer for Timor-Leste Holy God, there are parts of us that we secretly believe are unreachable John 1:14-16 by your grace: God, who provides all the resources humankind needs, whose realm is rich Acts we’ve committed that cause shame to overwhelm us; with grace beyond measure, open eyes to what you have given and guide Thoughts we’ve allowed to plague and disturb us; us to build systems that give everyone enough. We pray for Timor-Leste, Words we’ve used that have wounded others deeply; riven by conflict in nation and church, yet blessed with abundant resources Emotions we’ve experienced that upset us even to recall; fairly to be shared. We pray strength and courage for farmers to organise Memories that are more painful than we could express in words. themselves into groups to grow livelihoods that reduce poverty. We pray There are parts of us that resist even asking for your mercy for perseverance and compassion among nurses and health-workers and forgiveness. to provide basic care and restore health in Los Palos. Grant them a sustainable, Yet, we cling to the hope that you, our Creator, long to make us whole again; strong and inclusive future, through Jesus Christ. Amen. that you, our Saviour, can show us the way home; that you, our Hope, are here, now, bringing new life to every part of our life. Monday, February 22nd So, show us once more how to open our lips in praise of all that you are doing. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Amen. Perhaps I have never known slavery, and find it difficult to relate to the stories of the Hebrew people Saturday, February 20th and their deliverance from Egypt, God of the Passover. Perhaps I have never experienced being set free and brought into a land Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 I might call my own, I confess my laziness, ignorance and comfort, Eternal God, and find it difficult to relate to the discipline of practising that contributes to the worsening of global poverty. remembrance, God of the Exodus. I confess that it’s easier to walk with the flow, than against it; So, reveal to me this day how you are releasing me from all that would to stand with the crowd, than to challenge it; bind me. to work for the system, than to critique it. Show me how I might live a life filled with memory and gratitude I confess that it’s hard for me to allow my faith to interfere for whom you are and what you’ve done. with my politics, my finances, my relationships and so many May I acknowledge your mighty hand and outstretched arm as did your of my choices. people of old, I confess my hardness of heart, and I name my desire to return to You with and may I set down in front of you the first fruits of the bounty a softened heart, all around me, for you have shown me that this is where true revolution begins. as a thank offering for the precious gift of life. Amen. Amen. P RAYER S

12 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 13 Tuesday, February 23rd various roles. If I’m honest, I’ll acknowledge that I give in to temptations of all kinds, Isaiah 58:1-12 every day. A week ago, Endless God, we made decisions about what we would forego My resistance is momentary and inconsistent. for a season. I am caught in the perennial conflict between compromise and faithfulness. It is so easy for us to assume that this sacrifice in and of itself will So, continue to unpack my overstuffed life that I might be filled with you, draw us closer to you. Holy Spirit, instead. Yet, your word through the prophet Isaiah rings in our spirits still: Then I might truly have the courage to allow my whole life to be an act Resist injustice, set others free to live and share of what we have, of worship. Amen. especially with those who have greater need. If we have given up food, remind us when hunger strikes of those who are malnourished. Thursday, February 25th If we have broken a habit, remind us when we notice its absence of those Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16 for whom life is a daily We confess that we are largely self-starters, struggle for even the basic necessities. relying on our own wisdom to solve the problems of this world. If we have resisted a luxury, remind us of those who are so often forced We look to governments to solve global problems of disease, poverty into unfair labour and displacement. to make our luxuries ‘affordable’. We look to free trade and the market to ensure an equitable distribution Moreover, once reminded, reshape our choices and strengthen our of the world’s resources. commitment to act for your justice and freedom through all the Earth. Amen. We don’t imagine that the Church has much of a role to play in any of those large-scale matters. Wednesday, February 24th That is mostly because we trust in ourselves, more than we trust you, to fix the mess we find ourselves in. Luke 4:1-13 In this season of Lent, you call us to repent, to change direction and to see life Like most others around me my life is lived somewhere between the mundane as you see it. and the marvellous. You long to show us: I long to spend more time in prayer, more time in thought and reflection. A different economic vision, where there is enough for all and too much for none; I long to spend more time in your presence learning how to live by every word A different form of governance, where those who wish to lead must be a that comes from your mouth. servant of all; Yet, in truth, I am too easily distracted and too often in search of A different way to measure the value of human life, whereby all people entertainment. are understood to be I am far too productive to allow for stillness and wilderness moments created in your image and of immeasurable value. very often. Let us make your presence, your vision and your values our dwelling place I have too many people to impress by the dedication I bring to my this day, and every day. Amen. P RAYER S

14 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 15 Friday, February 26th Sunday, February 28th

Romans 10:8b-13 Prayer for India You are here. Luke 15: 20 In this moment. God at the edge and beyond, watching, waiting, looking for every opportunity In this breath. to love, we pray the Adivasi people pushed to the margins, squeezed out As I confess – ‘Jesus is Lord’ – on my lips and in my heart of their rightful heritage by tea farmers and more privileged people, you are raising me to new life in your resurrection power. their precious land taken, their status reduced, their access to resources For this is your way, restricted and their freedom limited. Run towards them and gather them into generously reaching out to me, your realm of health, sufficiency, justice and freedom. Use the pre-schools, saving me from a life lived in darkness and fear. self-help groups, hostel, vocational training and health care to draw people You are here. into abundant life. Encourage young people through youth clubs and women In this moment. through training programs. Release the remarkable gifts of the community In this breath. Amen. for the wider wellbeing of society and raise up human rights advocates and lawyers to enable people to receive what Indian law promises. Spread your Saturday, February 27th influence until every village has every opportunity to know and experience the love you have given the world in Jesus Christ, through whom we pray. Amen. Holy Sonnets: XIV – John Donne Look Up Batter my heart, three-person’d God; for you Revelation 3:20 As yet but knock; breathe, shine, and seek to mend; Jeremiah 23:29 “Draw people into That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend Ezekiel 36:26, 37:5 abundant life” Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new. Malachi 3:2-3 I, like an usurp’d town, to another due, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Labour to admit you, but O, to no end. Zechariah 9:14 Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend, But is captived, and proves weak or untrue. Yet, dearly I love you, and would be loved fain, But am betroth’d unto your enemy; Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again, Take me to you, imprison me, for I, Except you enthral me, never shall be free, Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

16 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 17 Monday, March 1st Fill me then with your courage, to allow you to make me a new creation. Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Replace the fear in my heart, You make great promises from a generous heart with love for the stranger, unto those who would trust you by faith, God of our ancestors for this is the way Christ shows me to live. Amen. Abraham and Sarah, and we seek in this moment to rest in gratitude and appreciation. Wednesday, March 3rd Too quickly, like our forebears, we wonder how on earth Luke 13:31-35 you could fulfil your promises, Today we acknowledge together, before you, especially since they don’t sound particularly realistic. how hard it is for us to love each other, our neighbours, as ourselves. But place your arm around our shoulders once more, There are some days where we are convinced of this principle take us outside the imaginary walls we think contain our reality, and determined to practise it as best we can. and unveil before us the majestic vision of what life There are other days when we tire of people to the full really looks like. and the difficulty in practising loving kindness consistently. Then help us to hold that vision within the depths of our hearts, Amidst the frustrations and hard slog of living in community that we may believe with every fibre of our being, are moments of grace; little foretastes of heaven. that we too are blessed to be a blessing unto all the world. This day we seek to commit ourselves to the way Jesus shows us; Amen. to offer someone we encounter a word of encouragement, an offer of forgiveness or a moment of connection. Tuesday, March 2nd May we see, even in the small things, how we are stepping into the flow of your grace amidst this creation you love. Amen. Psalm 27 Whom shall I fear? Well, that’s simple. Illegal immigrants. Thieves. Terrorists. Violent offenders. Protesters. My neighbours. The list is almost endless. Various media and commentators encourage me to be afraid of those who come to steal my job, my land, my freedom, my rights. Yet, I am challenged by the idea that with you I need not fear any enemy. But I am well used to fear, and find it hard to give up. If you are my light, then perhaps you will show me a new way. If you are my salvation, then perhaps I can relinquish even my fears.

18 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 19 Thursday, March 4th South India Health and Education Psalm 22 Why isn’t life easier than it is? Why haven’t you wiped out disease, human frailty and injustice? Why have you forsaken us? Have you not heard the cries of your people? Have our prayers been in vain? Why have you forsaken us? Yet, where else shall we turn? Please, our Lord and God, let us know of your presence, for we long to know that you are with us amidst suffering of any kind. Deliver us once more, from everything that enslaves, Free your creation, from every force of domination and tyranny. Unbind your church, to proclaim your deliverance in every nation and community. Amen.

Friday, March 5th

Philippians 3:17-4:1 How confused we are, Author of Life, between earthly and heavenly things. Paul speaks of those with earthly minds whose god is their belly; whose end is destruction. It has also been said that we can be so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. Our lives are largely lived somewhere in-between; unwilling to live only for our glory, unable to live only for yours. We seek this day to stand firm in the Lord, trusting in Jesus’ way, Jesus’ power and Jesus’ transformation of our lives. In Christ alone we trust to sweep away our confusion, and to show us our true purpose as salt and light in the world. Amen. P RAYER S

20 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 21 Saturday, March 6th Monday, March 8th

Psalm 46 Isaiah 55:1-9 Can I really risk stepping back from busy-ness? How is it, that in your economy, Living One, After all, I am made in your image thirst is quenched free and you are the very definition of industrious, and hunger satisfied without a price tag attached? aren’t you? This confronts every way of doing things that we have been taught. Do I really want to step back from consuming and controlling? We have been taught that generosity like this is the exception, After all, you gave the world as a gift to us not the rule. and charged us to keep things moving forward, That this is foolishness as a way of doing business. didn’t you? You are inviting us to live life in a completely new way. Is it really possible for life to be done differently to this? You promise to teach us where to find that which truly satisfies. After all, I am in charge of my life No payment. No stresses over credit limits. No borrowing to feed our families. and master of my own destiny Your vision of life is raising our sights. aren’t I? Your values are causing us to reshape ours. Holy Spirit, come, renew your whole creation, Your calling is driving us towards others, to share of what beginning with me. Amen. we have been given, which is very good news indeed. Sunday, March 7th With all that we are – thank you. Amen.

Prayer for Papua New Guinea Genesis 1:1,2 God whose Spirit brooded over the water bringing life and order and by whose Spirit the world is made new, brood over Milne Bay and bring new life. Where water carries disease, purify it with good sanitation and safe channels. Where water becomes a burden to carry, bring pipes and taps. Where fetching water takes women and children from valuable time leading and contributing to community, make access to water easier. When lack of knowledge endangers life, bring programs that increase awareness. Where drinking water is risky, make water life-giving, as we see in Jesus Christ, through whom we pray. Amen.

22 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 23 Tuesday, March 9th of extreme poverty. I confess that looking after myself and my family feels enough for me Psalm 63:1-8 to worry about. I am an immigrant to this land. I confess the resentment within me towards those who seem needy. Whether descendant of the ancient custodians, the first peoples, I confess. As an act of repentance, I seek to turn around, to change direction, or more recent arrival, by sea or by air, so that you may show me a better way. this land does not belong to me. My way of doing life is killing the planet, its peoples and me. Whether home-owner or dispossessed, You alone are light and hope for all creation and for me. Amen. aspirational or anxious about the future, this land does not belong to me. Whether or not I am deeply connected to the red dust plains, Thursday, March 11th the rainforest, bushlands or golden sands, Jurgen Moltmann, in The Open Church: Invitation to a Messianic Lifestyle this land does not belong to me. (p. 24), writes: This land belongs to you – the earth, and all that is in it. “Jesus’ life is inspired not just by the wish for a life after death, but by And so I will walk carefully across this land, the will for life before death, yes, even against death. Where the sick are paying respect to every other immigrant who shares this wide healed, lepers are accepted, and sins are not punished but forgiven, there and amazing land with me. life is present. Freed life, redeemed life, divine life is there, in this world, I will join my voice with David of old, as he walked through wilderness places: in our times, in the midst of us. Where Jesus is, there is life.” “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Amen. Reveal your presence in our midst, Lord Jesus. Open our eyes to see your work of redemption and liberation: Wednesday, March 10th In the caring for those who are sick, alone or afraid; In our acting for justice and peace in our homes, Luke 13:1-9 our hearts and our world; I come to confess to you Maker of Heaven and Earth. In the processes of restoration and reconciliation I confess that part of me assumes that people live in poverty all around us. because of their own mistakes. For where you are, life is springing up in all its fullness. I confess that part of me that prefers to turn away from the suffering I see Where you are, grace and harmony abound. all too frequently. Where you are, freedom and love reign. I confess that I assume that money given to aid and development You have saved us from hell on earth, in other countries and we commit ourselves this day to work for the Kingdom of God, will be wasted or make no worthwhile difference. which is always at hand. I confess the darker parts of me that don’t really care. All honour and glory to you our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. I confess how I’ve become used to switching off in the face P RAYER S

24 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 25 Friday, March 12th Papua New Guinea Fresh Water 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 It is easier to look at the mistakes of the people of faith in times past, God of the ages, than to acknowledge that we are facing the same testing, the same struggles, and fail just as often. We, your church in this time and place, continue in idolatry. We seek success, quick fixes, we bargain to secure our security, and look for hope in places it cannot be found. We, your church in this time and place continue in all kinds of immorality. We use people for our own purposes; treating each other poorly, instead of seeing each other whole and against a wide sky. We, your church in this time and place continue to put you to the test. We seek more and more blessings, storing them up for ourselves, honouring you by name but not by our lives. We your church in this time and place continue to complain: That life was better when everyone was in church; that our culture doesn’t take us seriously; that “I’m not being fed”. Let us hear Paul’s words of warning, not just to the Corinthians, but also to us, that we might have the courage to repent and turn once more to the only One who is truly faithful. Amen. P RAYER S

26 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 27 Saturday, March 13th You are seeking to rescue and save us from a life lived selfishly and greedily, to a life lived abundantly, kindly and lovingly towards others. A parable from Fyodor Dostoyevski’s The Brothers Karamazov Show us how to truly live in community once more. Amen. (Constance Garnett translation, p. 397) Once upon a time there was a peasant woman and a very wicked woman she was. And she died and did not leave a single good deed behind. Sunday, March 14th The devils caught her and plunged her into a lake of fire. So her guardian angel Prayer for Solomon Islands stood and wondered what good deed of hers he could remember to tell God. Psalm 103:1-5 “She once pulled up an onion in her garden,” said he, “and gave it to a beggar God, giver of life and health and daily breath, only you can determine woman.” And God answered: “You take that onion then, hold it out to her our destiny. Yet you give to us ability to pattern wellbeing and influence in the lake, and let her take hold of it and be pulled out. And if you can pull life-spans. Why should many live long and well mainly because of where her out of the lake, let her come to Paradise, but if the onion breaks, they are born, while others live short and tough lives? We think especially then the woman must stay where she is.” The angel ran to the woman of the Solomon Islands in praying for greater equity in our world so all have and held out the onion to her. “Come,” said he, “catch hold and I’ll pull enough, none too little or too much and everyone has access to basic you out.” And he began cautiously pulling her out. He had just about pulled resources. We pray for services that give people the best chance of health, her out, when the other sinners in the lake, seeing how she was being drawn an infrastructure that provides health where people live and skilled workers out, caught hold of her so as to be pulled out with her. But she was a very to help communities prevent and overcome illness. Use the United Church wicked woman and she began kicking them off. “I’m to be pulled out, not you. in Solomon Islands to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and communicate It’s my onion, not yours.” As soon as she said that, the onion broke. And she the knowledge to prevent it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. fell back into the lake and is burning there to this day. So her guardian angel wept and went away.

There is part of us that believes, Faithful God, that in order to thrive we must get ahead of those around us, lest they hold us back or pull us down into the mire. There is part of us that wants success, even if we have to step on a few people to get it, and then to keep everything that comes our way to ourselves. The parable we read speaks to us not so much about how to get into heaven, through last-minute generous acts, but how to escape a living hell, a way of life that makes you weep. You are generosity. You are constantly reaching out. P RAYER S

28 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 29 Monday, March 15th news indeed. There’s a spring in our step, radiance on our face, and a peace in our Joshua 5:9-12 very being. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. For our burden has been released, and you have replaced it with love’s Yet, what if I don’t feel redeemed? transforming presence. What if I still feel stuck in disgrace? May all creation praise you for your limitless goodness and mercy. Amen. Ashamed of my words or actions; Aware of the damage I’ve done; Afraid of asking for forgiveness or healing? Wednesday, March 17th What if I don’t feel disgraced about anything? Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Having lived a mostly upright life; I know of arrogance and the desire to run my own life, Having acted respectfully towards others most times; like the younger son in the story. Having tried to do the right thing and make a I have hurt those that love me at times. positive difference. I have acted too quickly and spoken too soon. Whether overwhelmed by my need of you I have wasted my inheritance on things that cannot last. or unaware of my deepest need of you, I have wandered far from your presence, loving God. come and make me whole. I know of thanklessness and the anger at good things happening Show me life in all its fullness until I can’t help but tell the world all about to the undeserving, your mighty deeds, my Lord and God. Amen. like the older son in the story. I have tried to win favour by my actions. Tuesday, March 16th I have tried to appear loyal and trustworthy. I have grumbled at those who are not as faithful as me. Psalm 32 I have stayed close to you, but lost any sense of gratitude (After a time of confession) and joy, loving God. Whether lost by my choices, or lost in resentment, We are the ones who gather to hear the good news that in Jesus Christ, you are reaching out to me, running to meet me, our sins are forgiven! inviting me to join the celebration. We respond with thanks to you for the undeserved gift of grace. Break through my resistance that I may be truly found in your mercy We are free. and grace. Amen. We are made whole. We are able to start again. We no longer have to wish for a different past, for you have given us a new day. Our hearts are both lightened and filled with joy, for this is remarkable P RAYER S

30 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 31 Thursday, March 18th Friday, March 19th

Exodus 20: 1-21 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 We are scarcely aware of the ways in which we constantly replace you This is your great mission, almighty God, with idols of all kinds. as you have revealed to us in Christ: We offer to pretenders that which is yours alone. to reconcile the world to yourself through Him whom we follow From the earliest days, you have exhorted your people and proclaim as Saviour of the world. to honour no person or no thing before you. You begin by remaking us in the likeness of Jesus, Creation reveals you, but it is wrong to worship the creation instead forming us into a community as his body, of the Creator. and deploying us as ambassadors. The Scriptures reveal you, but it is wrong to worship the container instead You have entrusted us with a mighty calling: of the living Word. To join with you in the re-creation of the world Your image is to be found in every one of us, in the pattern of your Kingdom. but it is wrong to lift up the bearer of the image over that to which We seek courage for the task, grace to bind us together and faith it points. for the journey. Let us restore you to your rightful place at the heart of all our living, May your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. following you in your perfect freedom wherever you shall lead, listening for your voice and your call above all others. Amen. Saturday, March 20th

Luke 5: 12-16 Holy Wisdom, you are showing us that ‘action’ and ‘contemplation’ are not alternatives, but at the heart of what it means to live as a disciple. When we invest deeply in prayer, the more moved we become to act against violence, and destruction and injustice. When we invest deeply in acting for peace, we are driven to pray, to join our hearts, minds and bodies to the source of all life and all love. In our prayer, in our action, lead us to radical faith - to the root of the matter – that we may follow Jesus with all that we are and all that we have. Amen. P RAYER S

32 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 33 Sunday, March 21st so that we may indeed see the new way in the wilderness, the river in the desert that is springing forth, even this Prayer for Sudan very day. John 4:13-15 Form us as a community for yourself, that our life might declare your praise. In thirsty lands, loving God, people long for life-giving water to sustain Amen. them and their communities. Thank you that through the Sudan Council of Churches, committed workers and the thoughtful action of people thousands of kilometres distant supporting the spirit and community Tuesday, March 23rd of the people of Nachipo, bores are drilled to access clean, pure water. Psalm 126 Thank you that women and children are saved the daily trudge that takes In this moment of stillness, I connect with how I truly feel about my life. them from time to learn and lead. We pray that more communities will be able I turn my face to you. to access water, education and health care. Encourage teachers, engineers, Shine upon me. community leaders, health care workers and administrators in their work and Soothe the ache in my soul. children in their learning. Bind us to them in your Spirit, in the name of Jesus Restore me to wholeness. Christ through whom we pray. Amen. Lift me up, that I may declare the great things you have done, with all the strength that is within me. Monday, March 22nd In this moment of stillness, I connect with how you truly feel about me, and I am amazed, Isaiah 43:16-21 and thankful beyond measure. We find it difficult, ever-present Lord, to distinguish between nostalgia How great you are, high and lifted up God. Amen. and faithful memory. When we hear you speak through prophets, young and old, calling us not to dwell in the past, but to seek the new thing you are doing, our hearts agree, and yet… To recall when our hearts were aflame with the glory of your love lends us strength even today. To remember when the church had a key place in our society and culture, makes us yearn for days gone by. To call to mind a simpler time, a simpler way of life, causes us to wish this moment in time wasn’t so complex “Bind us to them in your Spirit” and demanding. Help us instead to keep our eyes focussed on you,

34 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 35 Wednesday, March 24th Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open us to a future in which we can be changed; John 12:1-8 and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, Lent can be a difficult time for us, through Jesus Christ, and we pause to acknowledge before you the ways in which it doesn’t the light of the world. Amen. fit, easily, with our patterns of everyday living. Friday, March 26th We grumble. We trivialise the disciplines of the season. We offer fleeting attention and then return to our distraction. Philippians 3:4b-14 But, Mary was onto something when she anointed Jesus, I think of myself as capable, for I am able to accomplish many things. and we long to more deeply understand it. I have been raised this way, and my life has demonstrated my Her offering was worth more than a brand new Holden in today’s money. various abilities. And she does it without a word. I have confidence in my capacities and talents, whatever they may be. When you joined yourself to your Creation in a new and unique way in Jesus, It is how I make my way in this world. you gave an unspeakably valuable and priceless gift. I also recognise the gift of the challenge that is the season of Lent, The aroma of Mary’s gift in response filled the whole house. whereby I might reflect deeply on what it means to May you show us how our response to your love in Lent ‘regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value might become a fragrance filling the whole world. of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord’. We, your church, proclaim your rule and your reign, Jesus has made me his own, and that global poverty is not part of your kingdom-vision. and is challenging me to press forward through life in a completely Lent is no triviality to us any more - it is, simply, life. Amen. new way. He is showing me how to live by faith. So be it. Amen. Thursday, March 25th

A prayer of confession from ‘Finding our Way Again’ by Brian McLaren (p. 109) Psalm 91 Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgement.

36 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 37 Saturday, March 27th farmers, teachers and cooks. Open our hearts and faith to learn from these communities’ faith and challenges so our lives are transformed, and our Isaiah 50:4-9a partnering truly mutual, through Jesus Christ. Amen. Your wisdom comes to us in whispers as we consider the lonely and lost in our streets. Your wisdom comes to us in shouts Monday, March 29th as we hear the news of children dying from senseless poverty. Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 It is foolishness for us to think that we can change the world, Your love, Everlasting God, has travelled with your Creation since or so we are told, the very beginning. but we will not heed those voices, The love that formed us and gave us life has never been taken from us. for yours alone are the words of life. You have loved us before we knew you. So, raise up your people, You have loved us when we’ve rejected you. awaken us from our slumber and our apathy. You have loved us when we’ve turned once more towards you. Lift our feet and our voices, You have loved us when we’ve walked in your way. to proclaim the year of the Lord, Truly, your love endures forever. that all who are bound may be freed, Place a new song of praise on our lips, that all that is broken may be made whole. a song that might ring throughout all the lands of the earth. Let us rest only in you, until this world is reshaped: Your love endures forever. Your Kingdom, come. Amen. Multiply your joy in our hearts, a joy that bubbles up and infects those we encounter this day. Sunday, March 28th Your love endures forever. Demonstrate your mercy and kindness through our actions: Prayer for Zambia Deeds of gentle encouragement and passionate solidarity. Philippians 1:3-5 Your love endures forever. Gracious loving God, look out again on the children in Mwandi orphaned You are our God, and you have given us the light of steadfast love. by HIV/AIDs. Surround them with love, practical action and encouragement. All thanks and praise, honour and glory to you. Amen. Through careful and sensitive thoughtfulness, convey your delight in your children and your desire for them fullness of life. Strengthen and sustain those who are developing community spirit, improving health, providing food, increasing people’s sense of self-worth and confidence and enabling babies to survive. Thank you for people generous in giving, persistent in praying, open to learning, and reaching out to share stories of what you do. Thank you for the growing capacity of local people, their perseverance against all odds and their deep concern for future generations. Thank you for the skill of counsellors, P RAYER S

38 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 39 Tuesday, March 30th not because of who I am, but because of who you are. I can see the way ahead, for you walk before me Jesus, Luke 19:28-40 acting with humility and purpose, What if we had courage enough, Our Provider, to approach our leaders for the Kingdom of God. and rulers, I can see. Amen demanding funds and aid for the poor? When they ask us why we want this, would we reply: ‘the Lord needs it’? Thursday, April 1st What if we had clarity enough to demand of our communities of faith, Maundy Thursday a deeper connection between our worship life and acts of justice and mercy? John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Would we be bold to respond to the complaints: When we read or hear Jesus tell his disciples to love one another, ‘the Lord requires it’? we receive it from your lips to our hearts, Jehovah-shalom, What if we had joy enough in our hearts at the good news we have received, God of peace. to address the hardness of heart all around us and within us? Yet, we largely place limits on love, Would we remind ourselves to love our enemies with directing it towards family, friends and those ‘like us’. the words: We have been taught to fear the stranger, ‘the Lord has commanded it’? as a way of protecting ourselves, of arming our children. This day, we acknowledge that your wisdom is higher than ours, As our world becomes smaller, your way is better than ours, we are becoming more fearful, more violent, and more destructive. your vision is clearer and more magnificent than ours, This is just one example of the ways in which we distort your commands: and we submit ourselves to you. We limit whom we will love. Blessed be God forever. Amen. Tonight, as Jesus is about to leave, let us truly ask of ourselves whether we are willing to lose everything for the sake of love. Wednesday, March 31st Even as tragedy beckons, you are fashioning a world made whole by love, and calling us to follow Jesus, even unto death, Philippians 2:5-11 to embody the new commandment. I can see what I was created to be, Give us the faith and courage we require to trust in nothing but you. Amen. because of you, Lord Jesus Christ. I can see that I am to be emptied of all but love, in order to live in obedience to my Creator. I can see that I can be released from my addictions and comforts, in order to live in the perfect freedom of the Spirit. I can see that my life makes all the difference in the world, P RAYER S

40 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 41 Friday, April 2nd for no good reason. I sit in silence, protesting against the injustices of living Good Friday in a broken and harsh world.

Please read today’s Scripture after today’s Prayer I sit in silence, seeking answers to my questions. We who gather at this cross dare to ask ourselves what this says about us. We empower and participate in corrupt and betraying religious systems I sit in silence. Amen. that would rather kill God than repent or change. We authorise and contribute to political systems that care little for truth and justice for all, Sunday, April 4th but are much concerned about maintaining power and privilege Easter Sunday for some. We make choices which demonstrate our individual culpability Luke 24:1-12 in caring more for our own fragile skin than for our Faithful Friend. New and joyous life is disorienting and invigorating all at the same time, We betray our Saviour and the community of faith God of resurrection. in choosing our own wisdom and financial gain over God’s As we join the loyal and faithful women standing amazed, sovereign rule. not knowing what to make of what is in front of us, We also witness and embody the remnants of loyalty show us how the tomb is not so much empty, as we sit at the foot of the cross and weep. as pregnant with possibility. What does this cross say about us? For where there was despair, now there is the fullness of hope. Oh Lord, have mercy upon us. Amen. Where there was anger and resentment, there is restoration and liveliness. Hebrews 10:16-25 Where there was sadness, there is joy beyond measure or explanation. Saturday, April 3rd Praise be to you for your power over life and death. Praise be to you for your deep and abiding commitment to your creation. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Praise be to you for your transformation of all things, including us. I sit in silence, refusing all distractions. Praise be to you, for you are God, and it is right to give you thanks and praise. I sit in silence, allowing the absence of activity to create space for emptiness. Amen. I sit in silence, wondering if anything at all is possible now that Jesus has been killed.

I sit in silence, pained by the idea that so many others will die this day, P RAYER S

42 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayers 43 Solomon Islands Health CAre Welcome to the How To Use This Study Bible Study: The study uses the lectionary Gospel reading for each of the The traditional practice for the six Sundays of Lent: season of Lent, and the core activity of Lent Event, is to ‘give something Study 1: Luke 4:1-13 up’. It might not be the first action Sunday 21 February we think of engaging in, but this Study 2: Luke 13:31-35 discipline of ‘giving up’ or ‘letting Sunday 28 February go’ can actually result in us gaining Study 3: Luke 13:1-9 a glimpse of life in its fullest and Sunday 7 March most exciting sense. It might not fit with the idea that life is about Study 4: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 all we can possess or own, or is Sunday 14 March about fame and rubbing shoulders Study 5: John 12:1-8 with rock stars or celebrities, but Sunday 21 March it is a way of learning about ‘life’ Study 6: Luke 19:28-40 as Jesus understood it. Sunday 28 March

We will draw on some significant You may choose to use the passages in Luke, and one in John, study material either in the week the reflections of some of our preceding the Sunday as a form Lent Event partners, and our own of preparation for worship, or in experience. We will ask ourselves the week following the Sunday TION what we can learn about Jesus, as a way of building upon worship. from whom he spent his time with and shared his meals with, and The studies are designed for small to whom he offered an invitation group discussion. However, if you into God’s new community. are unable to meet with others What does this say about where you will still find benefit from we need to be in society and who individual use of the study. If using we need to spend time with, as we the material in a small group, follow Jesus? the best use of limited time C INTRODU

44 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book 45 will be made by each member of scripture if we were located to the various voices of others to be reminded that working through the material much closer to those who struggle (your own experience, partners, ours is just one perspective in advance and noting down to live. How does their sense and the commentary). or way of seeing. responses in the spaces provided. of God’s presence challenge • Consider one of the projects, • Step 3: Consider the passages It will also be valuable to note any our sense of God’s presence? and ask what that says to you and ask what they might mean questions or surprises that arise. about your following of Jesus. for us. In this way, you can prepare your The Pattern Of The Studies Following Jesus – the act mind and heart, so discussion Understanding What of discipleship – is in part about will be deepened by sharing • Read the passage and make The Bible Is Saying discovering where Jesus is, considered responses. a brief note about its central and where he calls us to be message. • Step 1: Be aware of what in the world. So the focus of shapes our response • Try to reflect on where you the work we will do on the Bible Our Partners to everything, including are as you read the passage. passages is to see where Jesus scripture and Jesus. Jesus didn’t just do things for Does the central idea in the is, who he mixes with, who he How we see the world, how breaks bread and shares table- people, but sat and shared their passage trigger deep feelings? we read the scriptures, and fellowship with, who he lives, and did things with them Do you feel attracted to what how we act are shaped by who welcomes into the reign of God, to help them heal and live life is being said, or is it something we are, our sense of identity. and what this might say about to the full. The people we are that you find difficult? From what Who we are is greatly shaped our discipleship. supporting through Lent Event perspective or position do you by our place in the world, are not just people we help, think you are approaching our relationships and our social There is probably more material but people with whom we partner. this passage? location. This sense of location here than you need for any one This year we have asked the people • Read the comments made from and identity gives us a certain study. Different approaches interest involved in the projects to engage different groups, so please pick our partners in this project. perspective or way of seeing with us by commenting on the that shapes how we see things, and choose to fit the amount How do they challenge your of time and the interest of your biblical passages. We asked them and what we do not see at all TION sense that your view on this to tell us how they read the passage (that others do see). group. However, don’t work on passage is ‘normal’? from their perspective. In this way, only certain sections (e.g., only the • Read the commentary, which • Step 2: Listen to the voice commentary) every week. If you we are asking them to challenge offers another perspective on of our partner churches are not going to do the whole study, the way we read the scriptures, the passage. and what they say about other make sure you: (i) read the partners’ the way we assume that our reading perspectives on scripture. reflections every week, and (ii) do • Ask yourself what you is obvious and normal. We are We usually think that the way different parts each week so you discovered about Jesus, asking ourselves what it would we see, read and act is ‘normal’. are challenged in varying parts yourself and your following mean to our faith and reading We need to listen to the voices of your life. of Jesus, as you listened C INTRODU

46 Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book 47 What Shapes Us have different amounts of power and control over your own life, Because of our families, and have a different set of values. experiences, inherited explanations of the world, and place in the world, Who we are, not only shapes each of us hears a conversation, our responses to ordinary things, reads a book, analyses the news, but also impacts on how we read watches a movie, or listens and understand the Bible. to music in a very different way. There is no value-free, universal We all know that. Just watch spot from which we can read the a small group of people comment Bible and discover its ultimate truth. on a movie that they have just seen, We always read from a particular or share what they have seen on the place, and with already pre-existing street. Our response is shaped by views. Women will read differently all that makes us distinctively us. to men. Those who are relatively rich and privileged (like us), Some of the things which make will read differently to those who us distinctively us are gender, age, are poor. For example, do we see ethnicity, education, core values the women in a story or do we of our society, where we live, ignore or downplay them? Is there our religious beliefs, economic any significance in Jesus’ care circumstances, and the people for those who are poor? Do we with whom we usually spend time notice the number of times Jesus and who are in our peer groups. has critical things to say about For example, if you are a young

those who are rich? Much of the TION black woman in Australia your time we see in the scriptures those experience of life, the values things which support our interests you hold and the things you hold Sudan and needs, although, fortunately, dear and wish to protect are very Water and education there can be moments of change different to a middle-aged white and newness. Australian male. You notice (and do not notice) different things, C INTRODU

48 Lent Event – Prayers Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book 49 Is Our Way Of Seeing Things Where Jesus Is In The World about him and the Trinitarian God to justice, the equality of all, (the one we worship as Father, liberation theology, and God’s care Really ‘Normal’? Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Son and Holy Spirit), and what does for those who are least in our theologian and pastor who was The way we see and understand it suggest about where we should community. I have spent the last 30 executed by the Nazis for his part things in our family and society be in the world if we wish to be years in struggles of all kinds – land in a plot to kill Hitler. In one of his becomes quite normal for us. followers of Jesus? rights, support for the Uniting early works (really a set of lectures We come to believe that this Aboriginal and Islander Christian to his students) he says that the is just the way it is. Congress, sexuality and gender question of who Jesus is cannot What My Personal equality, peace, gun control, trade be separated from the question In these studies, we are challenged Perspective Is union support, the end of apartheid, of where Jesus is in the world.1 to re-assess our sense of ‘normal’, Let me tell you a bit about myself, and justice for the people and to check how we read the of Palestine. I read with a belief One of the things which is clear partly as an example, and partly scriptures. We have asked our in God’s care for the poor; in the ministry of Jesus is that because you need to be aware partners in the Lent Event projects an understanding that the Bible people were disturbed by where of my perspective (or bias?). to share their perspective on is concerned for real life, economics they found him. He was born the passages, and so to suggest and politics, and not just ‘spiritual’ in a small town in a stable, found I was born in a country town another way of seeing. You are things; and that conflict is a real recognition for his ministry in the in NSW, grew up in the church, being asked to consider what part of scripture. I am also a white wilderness rather than the city, and became a candidate for the it would mean to your faith male, who is ordained and has been mixed with sinners and outcasts, ministry of the church when I was and reading of scripture if you for over 30 years, who is 60 years spoke to women, and died as 17. Just before I went to university, had a greater sense of solidarity old, and fits too easily into the a criminal on a cross. He also I went to Aurukun (an indigenous with those who struggle to live. privileges that come with gender, suggested that when it is time community in North Queensland), How does their sense of where age, and place in the church. for us to give an account of our which changed my life by drawing Jesus was in his world challenge Read what I say with some life, the measure will be whether me into a lifelong commitment our understanding of Jesus and suspicion, and lots of questions. TION we cared for Jesus who is found to a journey with indigenous people. the passages under consideration? among strangers, the poor I married, had three children, and hungry, the sick, and the and after over 25 years of marriage imprisoned (Matthew 25:31-46). was divorced. I have remarried, and between my wife and I we have So, a central question we will ask six children. Somewhere in my Chris Budden in these Lenten studies is: where journey – through study, friends, Bible study author 1Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christology. do we find Jesus in each of the and personal experiences – Introduced by Edwin H. Robertson. Translated I developed a commitment by John Bowden (London: Collins, 1996) passages, what does this suggest C INTRODU

50 Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book Lent Event – Prayer & Bible Study Book 51 STUDY 1 What do you see as a real properties that belong to another; As you read and reflect on temptation in your life- a really immorality; false accusations/ lies; temptations our partners face, The Temptations of Jesus important challenge to your faithful injustice; envy; acquiring more how does that challenge what Luke 4: 1-13 relationship with God? wealth at the expense of the poor; you assume about temptations, and taking power by force; and misusing the way you read this passage? NB. Please read the introduction power to exploit the people. above as preparation for this study. The people are also tempted to overindulge in alcohol, READ the passage. prostitution, corruption in public Jot down what you think it is about. office, and giving and accepting bribes in government offices. There is a temptation to submit to satanic powers, or to be so anxious about conversions that To our partners: Why do you people resort to magic. One partner think Jesus would actually identified the temptation of modern Thinking About Luke 4: 1-13 have been tempted by these life that draws young people from With Our Partners three temptations? We asked our partners in South farms and from the growing of their They responded that Jesus was Sudan, India and Timor: ‘What are own food – they desire money, and a human being, with a human the temptations of people in your its related authority and prestige. heart and desires, and was tempted communities?’ and ‘Why do you by what is crucial to all of us – food, Thinking About How You Read think Jesus may have been tempted Which of these temptations do you wealth, and power/control/pride. The Passage by these three temptations?’ see as part of your life or the life In that wilderness place, the Temptations are only real when Read the responses below with of those around you? Which are temptation for Jesus was to rely on his own desire, power, and they attract us, when we might an openness to be challenged, quite new to you? ability to respond to the tests, and actually be pulled in their direction. to see from a different perspective. to forget the presence of God. The things that tempt us say Part of the temptation was that To our partners: What tempts a lot about who we are and what Jesus knew these things could help we value, and with whom we want people in your community? his ministry, but at great cost. In to share life. Temptations suggest In these communities, people one situation, the partner suggested envy and a desire for what we do are tempted by love of money that people look for power and not have. (corruption, greed, theft/robbery); authority through what is mystical forcefully acquiring/stealing (trying to build up connections with

any ‘invisible power’). b i le s tudy

52 Lent Event – Bible Study One Lent Event – Bible Study One 53 Jesus’ response reminds us that Why do you think Jesus was What relationships, events and parts we should always have God in mind tempted? of your life shape your response and in our prayers, so that the devil to scripture? will have no space. Jesus took the Going Deeper Into The Passage path of ‘salvation through struggle’ Following his baptism and blessing by rebuking the devil; the symbol by God (3:21-22), Jesus is of his complete obedience to God immediately led into the wilderness being the cross. If Jesus was able to be tempted. to win over these three temptations, then he is able to be obedient There are different ways we What resources did Jesus use when to what God requires, and is able can approach these temptations. he was tempted? What resources Which issues strike you, and which to save people from these three How might Jesus have been do you use when tempted? ones do you tend to overlook? temptations and bring them back tempted to shift allegiances, to God. to alter his place in the world, and to change who he spent In what way do the responses of time with and sought to protect? the partners stimulate your thinking That is, how do these temptations about this passage of scripture? seek to get Jesus to think about himself differently?

Each temptation suggests Thinking About How You What interests are likely to entice a compromise that will make his View The Scriptures you? What interests conveyed mission less burdensome, and will Think back to the Introduction, in the scriptures do you benefit others. If he will just align and what was said about the things automatically protect? himself differently with the powers that shape us, the interests we and struggles in society or if he protect, and our response will put himself with those who to Scripture. really know what power is about, he can do such good things. As is frequently the case with temptation, Jesus is tempted by what is good. b i le s tudy

54 Lent Event – Bible Study One Lent Event – Bible Study One 55 First temptation: ‘If you are own. We are pushed to consume do is compromise on one little point We all want to spend time with the Son of God, order this stone endlessly, beyond what we need, – to worship the evil one rather than those who are important and can to turn into bread.’ (4:3) and at the expense of the needs God. He has to move from God make a difference. Being with those of others. How caught up have you and the way God shares life with on the margins is less attractive. Throughout his ministry Jesus will become in this culture? Do you live the crowds – the poor and outcasts How easy do you find it to spend find hungry, tired, dispirited people by the things that the world values and excluded – and share life with time with the people Jesus spent in great need. They will cry out or by God’s word of life? the movers and shakers. It is about time with, rather than the important to him for food. He has the power ultimate loyalty. He can still be or popular ones? to be a notable benefactor. friends with God; it’s just that he Why doesn’t he simply turn stones cannot give God the sort of loyalty into bread and feed them? that would flow easily into worship.

Jesus’ response – that one cannot Jesus says ‘no’. He will not worship live by bread alone, but by the anyone but God. And God’s way word of God – indicates that he is for Jesus to locate himself not in lives and ministers because of his Second temptation: ‘Then the the places of power, but alongside relationship with God, and not devil took him up and showed ordinary people, to share their Third temptation: ‘If you are God’s by his own power and abilities. him in a second all the kingdoms parties, eat dinner with the most Son, throw yourself down from It is important that God’s people of the world. “I will give you all marginalised in society, welcome the temple and, as the scriptures be fed, as Jesus illustrates in his this power and wealth,” the devil sex workers, and encourage say, the angels will save you.’ ministry, but such things must not told him. “All this will be yours, women to claim the image of God (4:9-10) define life. Here the temptation then, if you worship me.”’ (4:5-7) in their lives. is about whether Jesus will find life To emerge safely from this stunt will in himself or in God. Jesus knows Real temptations, the difficult How important are power be a great launch for his messianic that, as crucial as this ministry temptations, are those that suggest and possessions to you? career. This time the temptation would be, as necessary as it is that small compromises will How important is it to you is doubly insidious. It has the to care for God’s people, his task achieve really good things. to do things your way? support of the scriptures. is to proclaim God’s kingdom Jesus is promised the power Jesus is challenged to prove that and to call people to new life. to do good, and to have much he really is God’s Son by using influence over the whole world. the sacred traditions of the In our world we are told that who He can replace the despots of the community for his own benefit: we are and what we are worth world, struggle against the abuse Jerusalem (the holy city), the holy is determined by what we buy and of power, eliminate injustice, and temple, and the holy scriptures. create a new world. All he has to If the first temptation was b i le s tudy

56 Lent Event – Bible Study One Lent Event – Bible Study One 57 to provide bread, this one is Project For example, 44% of children under crops don’t grow, with livestock to provide circuses, to trivialise As you ponder priorities, loyalties, five are underweight and there is and equipment. From this, several the pain within the human spirit and temptation, think about a rising incidence of tuberculosis goat rearing groups managed by providing pointless distractions the following project. Try reading and AIDS amongst young people. to triple their herd, increasing and entertainment. Let him be about it while still sitting in the income opportunities. a magician, a miracle worker, rather passage about Jesus’ temptations. The Project Approximately 120 members shared than the suffering servant of God. What strikes you most about This project provides assistance in the benefits of the micro-finance this project and what it says in the form of advice, training, program. In the area of community But Jesus says that it is not right to your attempt to follow and equipment and loans to farmers health, the Los Palos health clinics to put God to the test, to make God be with Jesus? to produce crops and rear animals. carried out approximately 30,000 prove that God is in control of life. This increases food security consultations. Relief and Development Project 1 and income for farming families. The passage finishes with the Agriculture and Health Initiatives A micro-credit program also The Future words, ‘The devil departed from him exists to provide loans for the Several more farming and until an opportune time.’ Location – East Timor (Timor-Leste) establishment of small businesses agriculture groups will be formed The temptations, the battle, such as brick-making, furniture to provide food and income Partner Church – The Protestant is not over. This is only the opening making and roadside kiosks. for many more families in East Church in Timor-Leste skirmish of the battle, one that Additionally, UnitingWorld has Timor. Plans have been developed will not finish until the cross and been providing funding to health to improve the facilities at each The Situation resurrection of the one declared initiatives including two medical health clinic, provide nurse Timor-Leste is known as one to be God’s beloved Son. centres and a full time nurse to education and expand preventative of the poorest countries in Asia implement preventative health care. health programs. with 47% of people in rural areas What is one new insight about living below the poverty line. Jesus and yourself that came Achievements Much of the population suffers to you from this study? Farmers groups were established from food insecurity as only 30% directly benefiting over 150 people of the land suitable for agriculture and many more in the wet land is being farmed. As a result, areas. To ensure sustainability, the economy is not generating high quality seed and training in adequate employment opportunities natural fertilizers and insecticides for the people, including the 11,000 enhanced the program. A dry new graduates each year. Health land livelihood program supplied standards are also very poor farmers, those living in areas where compared to other Asian countries. b i le s tudy

58 Lent Event – Bible Study One Lent Event – Bible Study One 59 STUDY 2 Have you had an experience To our partners: ‘Who are the of people trying to stop you from people like Herod in your Threats from Herod following Jesus? If so, how did community, the people with Luke 13:31-35 Do you feel most comfortable with that make you feel? power who threaten you and those who have position, power and your ability to follow Jesus?’ READ the passage. wealth in our society, or with those Jot down what you think it is about. who are poor and marginalised? Our partners said that the Herod- When you hear the word ‘Herod’, like people in their community are is this a word with positive images powerful political Islamic leaders or negative ones? with arms, false church leaders (with no call to serve God’s people), the witchdoctors, the community chiefs who impose themselves on their people, and leaders of non-believers and non-followers Thinking About Luke 13:31-35 of Christ. There are those who seek With Our Partners to impose alcoholic bars and drugs Who causes problems for on the communities where they Who are the people in our society Thinking About How You Read Christians, and how does that are not wanted. They mentioned who make it hard for Christians The Passage make us feel about those who the police, chiefs, MPs, councilors, to be faithful to Jesus? Is Jesus a troublemaker who caused problems for Jesus? security operatives, politicians, needs pulling into line by those One of the issues for Christians religious fanatics, the dominant responsible for good order? in Australia is whether they caste, and the bureaucrats. Is the king just being vindictive? understand how real evil and Or, is the king’s name being used opposition to Christians is, in some The tribe masters in Timor have by others? Our reading will be parts of the world. In this section a role as ‘Herod’ when they shaped by our gut reaction to those we are challenging the generally threaten and impede many people with power and authority, and by held view that Christians don’t face who follow Jesus. For example, how we view Jesus. For example, much real opposition, and so we many younger people from poor how do you react to words like don’t have much sense of what Christian families cannot meet their ‘well-off or rich’, ‘trade unionists’, Jesus faced. What can we learn traditional pre-marriage obligations. ‘CEOs’, ‘women/men’, ‘migrants’, from our partners about opposition? Therefore, they cannot marry, their or ‘the government’? children cannot be baptised or have b i le s tudy

60 Lent Event – Bible Study Two Lent Event – Bible Study Two 61 a birth certificate, and consequently not suggest that they are likely Jesus gives them a message: they cannot go to school. Also, to act in ways that protect Jesus. ‘go tell that fox’. He calls their people may be elected to church bluff. Are they really speaking for leadership because they are Going Deeper Into The Passage They come to Jesus and say to him Herod and aligned with that political powerful in the community rather One way to appreciate this passage ‘leave this place’. Jesus is already power? Then they can deliver the than because they are people is to consider that it is a clash of heading out of Herod’s territory message back to him. But this who can best lead the church, people in different social locations, (Galilee) towards Jerusalem. is really rhetoric. or they might be elected because protecting different interests. Is he being encouraged to move they are supported by powerful It is also about Jesus and his faster? Or is there something much Will Jesus’ ministry be shaped people and must follow their advice. relationship with those with power. more sinister? by the erratic behaviour of the king, or by the only slightly veiled threats These comments suggest that there During most of Jesus’ life, Herod The reason they suggest he leave of this group of religious leaders? are powerful forces that oppose Antipas was the local, but Roman- is that they claim Herod wants to kill He will not! He is convinced that those who follow Jesus. How might approved administrator of Galilee Jesus. Given his history of violence God wishes for him to go to this be a helpful insight for you and Perea, in contrast to Judea and his treatment of John, this Jerusalem, to confront the powers as you think about this passage? which was under the direct rule would seem a believable threat. that would oppose God’s way of a Roman governor. He came But each time we have a reference of life. If he must die because out of a family driven by the desire to Herod seeking Jesus (9:9, 23:8) of this act of obedience, then his life for power, and shaped by violence it is so he can talk to him or see is in God’s hands. against all that stood in their way. a miracle performed. Even when he His life was a web of cruelty and has a chance to kill Jesus, he sends Jesus is in the place God called intrigue, and he was quite happy him back to Pilate (23:11). him to – teaching on the way to put John the Baptist to death to Jerusalem (13:22). He will not on a whim. One must conclude that their be pushed around by threats, What are the forces in our society message is a hostile one. They are or even by the real power of that threaten us and our ability Other than Jesus, the real players testing Jesus’ claim that he is doing political leaders. Whatever Herod to follow Jesus? in this passage, however, are God’s will, and that it is to fulfill might think of his political power the Pharisees. Luke consistently God’s purpose that he must go or his jurisdiction over Jesus, portrays them as enemies of the to Jerusalem and die. If he heeds Jesus saw himself as having only prophets and of Jesus. In 11:53 their warning and flees, he is a fake. allegiance to God and God’s reign. we are told that they are very If he goes to Jerusalem they will He will not do things differently just hostile, or have deep resentment have to confront and reject his because it might upset Herod. towards Jesus. Their history does claims quite explicitly. b i le s tudy

62 Lent Event – Bible Study Two Lent Event – Bible Study Two 63 As you think about the passage consequences. What we value Project line with high levels of ill health in the light of this reflection and and what we support has How does this project challenge due to a lack of education and our partners’ reflection, what new consequences for people’s your social location, your place economic resources. Most children insights or questions do you have? daily lives. in the world and who you are most do not receive schooling and those comfortable with? What does it say who do receive schooling leave Part of the challenge of this study about your attempt to follow and when they are as young as ten, in is to ask ourselves: If I am not being be with Jesus? order to work and earn money for challenged in my discipleship, their families to survive. if people’s circumstances are not Relief and Development Project 2 making it difficult to follow Jesus Integrated Tribal Development The Project sometimes, is that because I am To address the various needs too close to those with power? Location – Nilgiri Hills, South India of the tribal people in the Nilgiris region, this project has a number Partner Church – Church of South of different strands. Beginning India Our World with the establishment of pre- It is tempting for Western, schools for children aged 3-8 years, The Situation reasonably well-off Christians the project was then expanded to The Adivasi or ‘forest people’ are to assume people have good include self-help groups for women, the highly marginalised indigenous motives, and to ignore the way vocational training and health care people of India. Traditionally they people – including ourselves – for the whole community. Through Name one situation where have relied upon the forest act to protect our own interests. the self-help groups, the tribal discipleship demands that you for survival. Recently however, We trust that the rulers will do women are becoming empowered stand in a different place and the people have been pushed the right thing and that, generally, and self-sufficient, reducing the confront those with power who to the outer regions of the forests. they will look after the welfare likelihood of their being exploited are stopping the purposes Their land has been taken over of the people. by people outside their community. of God. What can you do to by cash crop plantations restricting The project also assists people to move to that place? access to the natural resources that Our partners in the Lent Event establish recognised identity and they relied on. The Adivasi do not project teach us to be a bit obtain government documents so possess any identification papers more sceptical, as does our that they can access government and as a result they are not Gospel reading. services and facilities. recognised by the government They also remind us that religious and are denied access to electricity language and schemes also and education. Almost all the tribal have economic and political community live below the poverty b i le s tudy

64 Lent Event – Bible Study Two Lent Event – Bible Study Two 65 The media is full of stories of people Achievements STUDY 3 dying. We respond to some more The project has enabled the children Whose Death Worries than others; they seem more tragic of the village to gain a foundation for or unjust. Why do you think people education. 199 children now attend Us and Why? are particularly concerned about preschool, 307 children attend Luke 13:1-9 these deaths? What issues do these primary school and 13 girls have deaths raise for them? advanced to study in Gudalur high READ the passage. schools, a first for the community. Jot down what you think it is about. The community has also formed 12 youth clubs to provide social support for the children and four of these groups received sports equipment. There are now 24 women’s self-help groups to create income opportunities and women’s Whose death would you most want leadership training was held for 50 to speak with Jesus about? women. Whose death seems to you to most focus or express the unfairness The Future Thinking About How You Read of the world? Over the next three years the holistic community development program The Passage will expand to new villages. The Whose death is important? nutritional program, vocational Who do we grieve and notice when training, pre- and post-natal care they die? Who does society seek and general health programs will to save, and who do they let die? be expanded within the existing 12 What deaths cause you the most villages. The number of regular visits anguish and pain? Why is this? to the villages by trained health staff will also be increased and additional coaching for primary school children will be provided. b i le s tudy

66 Lent Event – Bible Study Two Lent Event – Bible Study Three 67 starvation, natural calamities What would happen to those who Which of the partners’ questions like tsunamis and earthquakes, killed and/or were killed in the particularly resonate for you? terrorism, ethnic violence, terrorist name of God/Christianity, or those Thinking About Luke 13:1-9 attacks, or accidents. They would who died because they refused With Our Partners talk about the death of babies, to convert to Christianity? I would children and young people, ask why all those people had to die especially those who are healthy. painfully, and yet the conflict is not To our partners: ‘If you were yet over. Why this situation, whose speaking to Jesus, whose deaths What types of deaths have our mistakes, is there a way out? Why would you talk about?’ partners questioned that we are do I live; because I am better than Our partners said that they would inclined to forget or ignore? others? Over and over I would ask about thieves, murderers, ask this. Why do they not have a and non-believers who are killed. chance to have a long life? They would ask about martyrs who are killed because of their faith Going Deeper Into The Passage One partner said: Even though (why did God allow such believers Whose deaths haunt us, and why? I am a pastor, I feel no comfort to be killed?). They would ask about Are we concerned about the death when the pastor preaches at those killed abruptly in cold blood of those killed in war, those who the funeral of those people without them knowing (what would die in natural disasters, or those (and the preaching is directed happen to their souls?); those killed who die senselessly in tragic Who are the people that we are to the parents and family) by saying: unjustly by the law, when they accidents? Does the death of inclined to forget or ignore? ‘Even though we love him/her, are not guilty of a crime; and those a child most disturb us, or do we believe that The Lord has killed before any public hearing we allow our culture to convince a beautiful plan for him/her and (could they be granted forgiveness us that the truly tragic deaths are the Lord loves them more when they asked God for pardon?) those of movie stars and the rich to take them from the family.’ and famous? Are disasters more Why are these people, who are They would ask about the death tragic because they involve us in no way responsible for the of those killed ‘in the name of God’ or Americans or Europeans than terrorist’s ideology or for natural (both Christian martyrs and people they are when they involve people disaster or famine, dying such from other parts of the world? Christians have killed in crusades), To the partners: ‘What would you tragic deaths; and evil people and those who are victims of the ask Jesus about those deaths who do such atrocities flourish Lord’s Resistance rebel movement and what they mean?’ and escape the wrath of an early in northern Uganda. They would ask Our partners replied: Is there such a death? Why, Lord? about those who die due to war, thing as ‘killing in the name of God?’ b i le s tudy

68 Lent Event – Bible Study Three Lent Event – Bible Study Three 69 The people who were talking What preventable deaths today There is a warning in the passage. to Jesus were disturbed by the are blamed on either the victims There will come a time of judgment death of people who had been or others who are not responsible? and we will all need to repent. While killed while at worship, viciously we should not see in tragedies and Our World slaughtered by Pilate’s command. deaths a sign of punishment for Jesus will not allow us to dismiss What sense could they make people’s great sinfulness, we should some deaths as of no meaning, of such a thing, such brutality allow them to remind us that life and neither will he blame these and tragedy? Whose fault was this? is limited. We can all be placed in deaths on some larger degree Part (but only part) of the Old circumstances where we suffer of sinfulness. Why people die Testament tradition, drew a simple at the hands of tyrants, even to the is often a painful mystery. connection between suffering point of death. So we need to get and personal guilt, but Jesus Lent Event provides support our life in order. In our world, the challenge for rejects such an understanding. for those who may otherwise face us is not to dismiss some deaths; Do they think that because death. What is one local project you Jesus then tells the story of not to tolerate some deaths when the people suffered so terribly could support to stop unnecessary an unproductive fig tree that has they could be stopped. We cannot they must have been worse sinners deaths in your area or city? a year to produce fruit. In this, there mourn the death of some people than other people? They were not, is both an image of patience and at the hands of terrorists, and at Jesus indicated. care, and a promise that the refusal the same time ignore those who die or inability to bear fruit will not be from AIDS, lack of food and water, Jesus doesn’t say it, but to blame tolerated forever. or other tragedies which we can these people who died is to shift address, just because these people the blame from where it belongs. Jesus is less concerned for are not part of our community. That is what tyrants do: ‘It is not individuals (a more modern my fault that I had them killed. concern) than he is with the nation. Lent Event seeks to save lives. It is what they deserved because Jesus is calling the whole people What is one other thing you can they were so bad.’ In reality, these to repentance, to recover their do to ensure that (i) all deaths are Galileans died because Pilate was vocation as God’s people and taken seriously, and (ii) that you a murderer, and it was politically to stop interpreting that vocation might save a life? and socially important that Jesus in terms of privilege and worldly did not allow the blame to shift. greatness. They must use God’s patience as a chance for internal reform, not as an excuse for ‘business as usual’. b i le s tudy

70 Lent Event – Bible Study Three Lent Event – Bible Study Three 71 Where in your life (both as an The Situation and petrol pumps and reticulated receiving a water supply will individual and as a church) is there a Most of the population of Milne water supplies to taps in the also receive a number of toilets, need to reconsider your vocation or Bay Province of Papua New Guinea villages. Workshops and training designed to meet the best possible call so that it is much more a matter live a traditional lifestyle. Many are are also provided to the community levels of sanitation. In the coming of service rather than privilege? living below the poverty line with to raise awareness of hygiene, year, UnitingWorld will assist Suggest one action you can take to few opportunities for employment sanitation and health. The objective another five villages in Milne Bay begin that change. or enterprise. Poor health hinders of this project is to assist in and three in Central Province by people’s livelihood with water-borne reducing the level of poverty supplying safe drinking water diseases such as diahorrea and skin in selected villages through the and sanitation facilities as well as disease rife. This is because only provision of safe, sustainable education and training programs. 32% of the population have access water supplies. This will transform the lives of some to ‘improved’ water supplies. 5,000 people. Water collecting remains largely Achievements the responsibility of women and Eight rural villages were provided children who walk long distances access to safe drinking water Project to collect from wells, springs and catering to a population of The projects we support through rivers. Furthermore, the lack approximately 5,500 people. Many Lent Event are sometimes a matter of education within communities more people from surrounding of life or death for people. regarding sanitation and hygiene areas have benefited indirectly as They are a way we can support contributes to illness and mortality. they use the schools and health people’s physical and social centres which have also been survival. How does this project The Project provided with a safe water supply. challenge your priorities, and your The project works to improve family The success of the Milne Bay sense of whose life is important? and overall community health and program, which has been so aptly productivity by providing access managed by our local team since Relief and Development Project 3 to a safe water supply. By reducing 2002, has enabled Uniting World to Rural Water Supply and Sanitation the time taken to access clean establish a second team in Central water women are able to contribute Province. Location – Milne Bay and Central to the sustainable development Province, Papua New Guinea of their community. Access to clean The Future Partner Church – United Church in water is provided to villages through All future water projects will now Papua New Guinea pipelines to taps, seesaw pumps, include a sanitation component. hand pumps, electric pumps This means that every village

72 Lent Event – Bible Study Three Lent Event – Bible Study Three 73 STUDY 4 The reaction of the religious leaders Which people in our society might come from certain prayer groups suggests that Jesus didn’t just pop actually think of you and your (in Indonesian, ‘Persekutuan doa’). People Lost and Found down to one of the seedy parts church as Pharisees and scribes (i.e., Moreover, there are members and Resentful of town and offer help in the soup as an elite and judgmental people)? of prayer groups who consider Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 kitchen or offer some financial themselves more purified than support. Jesus actually shared his the church so they stay away READ the passage. life and food and company with from the church to keep purified. Jot down what you think it is about. people. He treated people as real people and not as charity cases, To our partners: ‘Who in your and he didn’t just do things for society would cause outrage people but with them. if Jesus ate with them?’

Who would we be surprised Our partners said: Church leaders, to see Jesus sharing his meals with, opinion leaders, those who think and why would that surprise us? Jesus did not come for all kinds Thinking About Luke 15:1-3; of people and those who feel that 11-32 With Our Partners salvation is earned but not by grace. Definitely the conservative To our partners: In your society church leaders, the dominant caste who plays the role of the and the rich. Some would even Thinking About How You Read Pharisees and Scribes? ‘throw down’ their collars in protest The Passage at Christians eating with gays and Who should you eat with? Who Their response was: political should you extend the hospitality lesbians, prostitutes and abortion Who are we not sure we want leaders, church elders and leaders, of table and time to, at your place? advocates, freemasons and to share our life with (either here the lawmakers, affluent people, Who is worthy of your company? witchdoctors. or in the kingdom to come)? and the dominant caste. Others are bigoted, two-faced Who are you surprised to find on It is easy to think that we really pastors and church leaders, lawyers these lists? are happy to mix with everyone. and advocates who pretend We don’t have any prejudices, to be fighting for the common and we aren’t snobs. You could person’s rights and also politicians hardly call us Pharisees or scribes. who do the same. They find that Or could you? people who play the role of Pharisees and scribes usually b i le s tudy

74 Lent Event – Bible Study Four Lent Event – Bible Study Four 75 Do you have any sense that you ‘This fellow welcomes sinners A young man asks his wealthy The older son is in the fields, are on those lists in some way and, and eats with them.’ That was father for his share of the hears the music, asks what is going if so, how does that make you feel? not intended as a compliment. inheritance. In effect he says on and, when told his brother 2. Jesus was not afraid of being to his father, ‘You’re as good has returned home, is very angry contaminated. His relationship as dead as far as I am concerned, and will not join the party. with God was such that it was so let me have what I should The father begs him to join the his holiness that changed the inherit.’ He takes the money party, and sits patiently as the son world, not unclean-ness. and quickly squanders it. He gets speaks of how faithful he has been, His presence brought salvation a lousy, humiliating, and low paid and how little he has received, because it enabled people job to survive. Then he comes to his and how unjust the situation is. to become clean and, thus, senses, and realizes that he would Brendan Byrne suggests that social insiders again. be better at home as a servant than a central issue here is that the elder 3. There are always people who in this place. So he heads home, son sees himself as being a servant want to maintain an exclusionary meaning to tell his father that he (rather than a son) and as being Going Deeper Into The Passage system. A system in which they no longer deserves to be a son, in a contract relationship with his Here we are back in the story are both on the inside, and have but could be a servant in the father (where his work should have of insiders and outsiders, the power to determine the rules, household. The father has clearly earned a decent reward).2 of people considered to be clean who is on the outside and how missed his younger son, watching and unclean, of people who could the outsiders can get back in. for him and hoping he would return. The father says, ‘Son, you are with enter the presence of God and What made the insiders angry The father sees his son while me always and all that is mine those who could not. The tax with Jesus is that he changed a long way off, and ignoring social is yours’ (vs 31). The father did not collectors and sinners were the rules, and made a conventions and dignity, he runs see the son as a servant, but as outsiders, and were to be avoided relationship with him the very and embraces and kisses his son his son. There was no contractual and shunned. To maintain one’s open way back into the in welcome. He will not allow his relationship. Everything the father purity it was necessary to avoid presence of God. son’s speech, and quickly takes had was his, and he could always that which could contaminate. action to both restore him to his have had a calf to celebrate with We often call this the parable place in the house and have his friends. He only had to accept There are some challenges in of the prodigal son, missing a party to celebrate. The father the gracious hospitality of his father, this passage: the crucial part of the story that is not interested in ‘sin’ and rather than figuring out if he had 1. Who we spend time with, involves the older son. It is really ‘repentance’, but thinks in terms earned the calf. who we hang out with, says the story of a lost son, his angry of ‘dead and alive’ and ‘lost a lot about who we are. brother, and the forgiving father. and found’. Jesus hangs out with sinners. 2 Brendan Byrne, The Hospitality of God: A Reading of Luke’s Gospel (Strathfield: St Pauls, Indeed, the passage says: 2000), 130. b i le s tudy

76 Lent Event – Bible Study Four Lent Event – Bible Study Four 77 The older brother saw life as Taking one person at a time, put Are there bits of ‘contractual Would people ever say of us a contractual relationship, yourself in the shoes of the father, thinking’ in your relationship ‘they welcome sinners and eat a relationship the younger son the older son, and the younger son. with God, bits where you think with them?’ What could we do had lost or forfeited. The father did What is the primary feeling you (if never dare say), “If I do this thing, so this would happen? not believe that his relationship with would have if you were that person? then God should do this for me?” his sons could ever be forfeited. If so, what are these things? No matter what he did, the younger father son would always be son and brother.

People often want God’s relationship to be a contractual one: What is one thing your church/you we do certain things, and there is could do to be part of God’s a guaranteed reward. Other people older son extravagantly hospitable do certain wrong things, and there community? How would that is a guaranteed punishment. challenge your beliefs, feelings This is fair and reasonable. But here and values about people getting Our World the father is not reasonable, what they deserve? As you think back on our partners’ but extravagant, and people do comments, and on the passage, not get what we think they deserve. who are the people you are inclined The challenge in the parable younger son to want to be punished or made is whether we are inside celebrating to pay their dues, rather than be the return of those who are lost, welcomed without condition? or outside complaining about the unfairness of it all when we have been faithful all this time. It asks us whether we want to be part of God’s extravagantly hospitable community that is indulgent of human failure, or would prefer a more contracted world. b i le s tudy

78 Lent Event – Bible Study Four Lent Event – Bible Study Four 79 Project The Project 100 patients per day and provide What strikes you most about this Since 2007, UnitingWorld has a vital service to this region. project and what it says to your supported Helena Goldie Hospital, attempt to follow and be with in conjunction with the United The Future Jesus? Church in the Solomon Islands, UnitingWorld will provide support in running rural health centres to recommence the mobile health Relief and Development Project 4 and posts and rebuilding health clinics which had to cease following Health care and Mobile Health clinics facilities destroyed in the 2007 the tsunami. Monthly mobile health tsunami. Mobile health clinics clinics will be conducted to Location - Solomon Islands to remote regions provide health additional isolated communities advice, child immunisations and HIV/AIDs prevention Partner Church - United Church in and much needed emergency and information programs will the Solomon Islands treatment to people who would be launched to raise awareness be otherwise unable to access in the community. UnitingWorld The Situation professional care. Funds provide will also support our partners The people of the Solomon transport costs for the medical to train community leaders Islands face multiple problems, teams, essential equipment in project development and project many related to the remoteness and medication. The visiting management to increase their of communities, transport issues medical teams also deliver staff capacity for development. and a lack of health and education and training to local communication facilities. Many health clinic staff. community members cannot access essential health care Achievements including child immunisations, Helena Goldie Hospital launched medical treatment or emergency the mobile health clinics in April care. Access to health services is 2009, starting with a four day trip, often limited by scarcity of health travelling by canoes, to remote facilities, distance from the facilities communities, The health centres that do exist and affordability of the and posts have since provided services. As a result, local churches much needed health services play a key role in the provision to a population of around 25,000 of health care. people, including 2,000 children These clinics see on average 50- b i le s tudy

80 Lent Event – Bible Study Four Lent Event – Bible Study Four 81 STUDY 5 How do you think this reaction • The poor, in most cases, had been ordained beforehand.’ might impact on how you read are used as scapegoats • ‘We would identify with Mary. Jesus is Anointed at this story? Who are the heroes by those in high and strategic She was perhaps preparing Bethany and villains, and what is really positions to acquire or use for Jesus’ death or at least John 12:1-8 important in the story? a situation to gain access understood the grave situation to something for themselves in Jerusalem.’ READ the passage. – pretending to show goodwill • ‘I am concerned with Judas’ Jot down what you think it is about. towards those in need and attitude. It seems like he paid pretending to show pity attention to the poor but towards them. actually he only wanted • ‘I sympathise with Lazarus to create the opportunity and Judas Iscariot: Lazarus, to steal the money for himself. because even after being raised I have sympathy with Mary, from the dead, the chief priests for Judas blamed her whereas were still plotting to kill him; she only wanted to show her Thinking About John 12:1-8 and Judas, because he doesn’t love to Jesus. The things that With Our Partners know that Jesus knew his Mary did seem economically scheme. He thought he was irrational, but true love is always clever and did not know that willing to sacrifice and forget Thinking About How You Read To our partners: Who do you identify with or have sympathy Jesus could see through him.’ to calculate the economic loss.’ The Passage with in this story and why? • ‘I have sympathy for Martha. This passage contains issues On another occasion, she What new insight or ‘aha’ moment of dying, extravagance, making They said: did not realise that the personal did you have as you read this list? a fuss at table, and caring for • Judas Iscariot’s words attention that Mary gave How might this insight change the poor. of concern for the poor do not to Jesus was just as important your understanding of the passage? match his intentions, which were as the preparation she was What is your immediate reaction to self interest and envy of Jesus’ making to serve the guests these issues- the ideas that spring anointing by Mary. Also, he is a meal.’ to mind almost instantly in your life? trying to destroy or water down • ‘I also feel sorry for Judas, the good intention behind Mary’s because he thought only about gift of love and warm welcoming keeping money for himself at the heart for people under her roof. expense of his own salvation. He didn’t know his future actions b i le s tudy

82 Lent Event – Bible Study Five Lent Event – Bible Study Five 83 Do we occasionally get so busy In chapter 11, we have the story It is very rare that being a follower In anticipation of the possibility with the serving – the worship life, of the raising of Lazarus, which led of Jesus in this country is that Jesus might go to the or caring for others – that we forget some people to believe in Jesus dangerous. It can, however, Passover, the chief priests and our need to focus on Jesus? (11:45), and others to report this be embarrassing or uncomfortable. Pharisees gave orders that anyone event to the Pharisees as some sort When was the last time you felt who knew where Jesus was should of terrible thing (11:46). Typical embarrassed or uncomfortable inform on him so they could arrest of religious organisations, this lead about letting people know you him. The people speculated about to a meeting. It was arranged by were a Christian? whether Jesus would be brave the Pharisees and the chief priests. The upshot of the meeting was or foolish enough to go. a decision that Jesus should be put to death for the good of the Our partners raise the issue of nation. As Caiaphas said, ‘It is Judas’ actions being pre-ordained. better for you to have one man How do you feel about the idea die for the people than to have that Judas was just playing a part the whole nation destroyed.’ (11:50) he had no control over? Can we At chapter 11, verse 55, we have be responsible for what we did This meant that life in public a shift in the story. We are told not choose? became very dangerous for Jesus that the Passover is near, and he went to Ephraim with the and people were going up disciples, and stayed there for some to Jerusalem. The Passover was time. This was probably a time central to the life of Israel. It was for Jesus to try to get the disciples an act of remembrance of the up to speed about what was really way God had saved the people going to happen, and to have a rest and brought them out of slavery before the stress of the final days. (e.g., Lev. 23:4-8). Jerusalem, too, was central to life – the site of the temple, the economic and political centre of the community, Going Deeper Into The Passage and the throne of the hoped To understand this passage for king/messiah in the line we need to place it within the of David. Jesus is seen as the surrounding story, and see this new Passover, the new temple, event as part of a much larger and the new site of the presence set of events. of God among people.

84 Lent Event – Bible Study Five Lent Event – Bible Study Five 85 Jesus places himself in the midst among them in this last banquet, of this evolving story in a quite and that his presence draws forth specific way. Six days before the the sort of faith and love that we all Passover, Jesus comes to Bethany, should show. a town very close to Jerusalem. Jesus’ timing and itinerary is not Mary’s reaction is proof that she shaped by either his enemies or has understood and properly by the speculation of the people. responded to Jesus’ question This is his decision and his plan, at Lazarus’ tomb: ‘Do you believe his step on the way to Jerusalem. that I am the resurrection and the life, and that in me is eternal life?’ He comes to the home of Lazarus, (11:25-26) Martha and Mary, which must have been a risky thing for them. The reaction of Judas is that this They were harbouring a wanted was a terribly wasteful thing. man. Their response was to throw It would have been far better Jesus a dinner. Martha served the to care for the poor, although John dinner, and Lazarus was at table is at pains to explain that this was with them. John clearly wants us an excuse because Judas had his to understand the reality of Lazarus’ hand in the till, so to speak. return to life. Mary takes some very The issue, though, is not simply expensive perfume, anoints his to deal with theft or to badmouth feet, and then wipes them with her Judas. The point is to draw hair. There are parallels in this story a contrast between darkness to those recorded in Mark 14:3-9, and light, and to show the power Matthew 26:6-13, and Luke 7:36- of darkness manifesting itself even 50, although each has placed within Jesus’ disciples and at such it in a part of the story that suits a high point in their journey. their purposes. What is clear in John is that he wishes his readers to understand that the Son of Man, the one who had shown himself in the raising of Lazarus, dwells

86 Lent Event – Bible Study Five Lent Event – Bible Study Five 87 What is your reaction to the idea How keen are you to show your is a part of life for the people. Achievements that Judas, one who had followed love for Jesus in a public way? During the long dry season the A school comprising of three Jesus for so long, could actually still How could you actually do that communities dig shallow wells classrooms was built as a place for represent darkness and not light? in your community? in the dry river beds to access learning for the children of Nachipo. drinking water. Alternatively, Around 150 children are currently the children walk more than enrolled, with children up to the five kilometres to fetch water age of 12 years attending to gain from the only well that serves literacy skills. Four deep water the area. This leaves little time bores were drilled in the Nachipo for education. Almost every adult region. A management committee is illiterate and the communities of local women and men, plus the PROJECT do not have access to schooling village chief, maintains the bore How does it change your attitude or formal education. holes. Our World to this project if you think of it as an The Project Are you able, at this time in your opportunity to serve Jesus? Does it The Future The project provides for the life, to confess that Jesus is enable you to be more courageous In the year ahead, a further six construction of several deep bores ‘the resurrection and the life’? in standing up for the people, and boreholes will be drilled in the in the villages, including a water If so, what does this mean for not simply sending money? Nachipo area providing clean you in terms of real life choices capturing system as well as a water to hundreds of people. and values? school for the community. The bore Relief and Development Project 5 Community workshops on health holes drastically improve the health Village Water Supply and Education and hygiene will also be conducted. of the people, reduce the workload Funds raised will also support two of women and children and qualified teachers and provide Location - Nachipo, Narus, South strengthen community by providing essential school materials such as Sudan safe and easily accessible water desks, chairs, blackboards and Partner Church - Sudan Council of year round. By reducing the time teaching and learning aids. Planning Churches What are the places and times taken to access clean water, is underway for the second phase in your life where even now you women are able to contribute to the of construction work including may live more for yourself and The Situation sustainable development of their an additional three classrooms, less for Jesus? The villages of Nachipo have community. The school provides administration block, head teacher’s a population of 3,650 people. the essential education for the office and storage facilities. The land is arid and covered with children of Nachipo, giving them shrubs. Goat husbandry provides opportunities to go on to further the main source of income and education and a hopeful future. food. Severe water shortage b i le s tudy

88 Lent Event – Bible Study Five Lent Event – Bible Study Five 89 STUDY 6 If this happened on your street, write the entire book? Did you ever Our partners said: I’ve understood blocked your traffic, and caused get any sign or feel that Jesus, it for what it is - the gospel. That the The ‘Triumphant’ Approach this commotion, how do you think who was going triumphantly on that Lord whom we worship is Almighty to Jerusalem you would react? day, was going towards the cross, Lord who could suffer with dignity. Luke 19: 28-40 towards suffering? Even though he knew he was going to shed his blood, he made the READ the passage. Are these the sort of questions triumphant entry into Jerusalem and Jot down what you think it is about. you would want to ask? Are there we are to follow his methodology any surprising or helpful questions if we are to take the cross. that enhance your reading of the passage? There was generosity (the owner of the colt), the welcoming of leaders of goodwill into their home towns, and the importance of social celebrations. Thinking About Luke 19:28-40 With Our Partners What lessons do you think you can draw from the way Jesus interacted To our partners: If you had a To the partners: ‘What would with the Pharisees, his disciples and Thinking About How You Read chance to talk to the writer of you want to know about this the colt owner? The Passage this story what would you want event that might help you live?’ This was street theatre and to ask? a march. The people had the Our partners would want to know equivalent of banners, and the sort They replied: Why did Jesus choose about: the reactions of the owner of chants set up by those who work a colt that has never been ridden? of the colt, the intentions of the up the crowds at political rallies. What was the reaction of the crowd, and the hidden motives owners to the response ‘the master of the Pharisees when they How do you feel about protests, needs it’? Did the owner follow put Jesus to the test. What is street theatre, and political rallies? them? Why did the people spread the significance of this trip to their cloaks on the road? Why did Jerusalem? What are the lessons the Pharisees tell Jesus to silence to be drawn from his interaction the disciples, when they could have Going Deeper Into The Passage with the Pharisees, disciples and done that? What was the reaction God’s chosen people were always the colt owner? of the Pharisees when Jesus replied seeking signs that they were still

to them? How were they able to that people and that God would b i le s tudy

90 Lent Event – Bible Study Six Lent Event – Bible Study Six 91 save them. There were images of but the Messiah who will be the was proving to be a very dangerous The idea of street theatre might military conquest and of a messiah prince of peace. Each of Jesus’ task. There were those who wished seem a bit frivolous or overly who might save the people from actions was intended to subvert to destroy him or to sabotage playful, but such theatre is deadly God’s judgment. Often the two the popular expectation. He his plans. So he sent two of his serious. It is a form of parable, become fused and confused, deliberately organised the disciples into town with clear a half-revealed and half-hidden and the image of the messiah symbolism of this moment around instructions: just after they entered critique of power and controlling became that of a military king. an image from Zechariah: the town they would find a colt that social story. This is an event as had never been ridden – although seriously disruptive of the world There was some expectation Shout aloud, daughters how they were supposed to know as the cleansing of the temple. among the people that Jesus of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes that I have no idea. They were It challenges us to ask ‘why is God might be that person. For those to you; triumphant and victorious to untie it and bring it to Jesus. found in this place, and doing this who shared the road to Jerusalem is he, humble and riding upon… thing in the life of Jesus?’ with Jesus on the first Palm a colt, the foal of a donkey. People couldn’t simply go around Sunday, what happened would He will cut off the chariot from untying donkeys, so there was How do you react to the idea that have unleashed images of Simon Ephraim and the war horse from always the chance that someone this was street theatre and involved Maccabaeus, the great guerilla Jerusalem…and shall command would try to stop them or at least secrets and passwords? How does leader who liberated Palestine from peace to the nations. ask them what they thought they it change your view of the event? Hellenist rule two centuries earlier. Zechariah 9:9f were doing. Jesus had thought He entered Jerusalem ‘with praise of this, and had arranged and palm branches. . . and with Jesus engaged in a piece of street a password: ‘The Lord needs it.’ hymns and songs’ (1 Macc 13:51). theatre. His entry was not simply (Luke 19:31) Was Jesus also going to do this? a spontaneous moment, but Was Jesus another Simon? a well-planned action. It was You might think password Would he throw out the Romans? a public liturgy, a statement about is a little melodramatic. Think about himself and God that set the stage it. These were very dangerous The disciples brought the donkey to Jesus clearly knew what was for the last round of questions times. If questioned, the disciples Jesus, put their cloaks on its back, being whispered among the people, and confrontations. were told to say that their master and he sat on it. As they began for he made no attempt – even needed it. But what sense would to ride into Jerusalem, the crowd in those very dangerous times – As with the later preparations that make? They could be anyone, of pilgrims who were making the to slip quietly into the city. for the Passover, these are the and who would know who their journey for Passover put their coats He wanted the people to know actions of one who needed to Lord was? No, this is a password, and leafy branches on the road – a and understand something about plan carefully, and often in secret. a way to ensure this event went carpet for the king. They shouted him: he was not a warrior king He was in the high risk part of what smoothly and wasn’t hijacked. ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who b i le s tudy

92 Lent Event – Bible Study Six Lent Event – Bible Study Six 93 comes in the name of the Lord. and the rule of kings who sat in the The people, the ordinary and What is the challenge of Jesus’ Blessed is the coming kingdom of line of David. It challenged all those poor ones, took to the streets servanthood for the way we our ancestor David! Hosanna in the who wanted to maintain the status to welcome him. They hoped – should live? highest heaven.’ (11:9-10) quo and protect their economic for an end to occupation, bread interests. It challenged the military for their stomachs, and a better life. The donkey was not the mount who didn’t want an uprising or riot But for them the challenge would of a warrior or king. This was to make their job more difficult. come as the week unfolded and the mount of a non-combatant, Most important for those of us things didn’t go according to their a civilian, a merchant, or even reading this, it challenged the plan. Then they would shout a priest. In our day this would ordinary people and us with the ‘crucify him’. be like coming into town in a Mini question: who, really, is this man? Moke rather than riding on the The Challenge Of Jesus’ front of a tank or armed carrier. Yet each one of them missed ‘Triumph’ the point of the challenge. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem Our World Jesus may have been the prince The Pharisees were continually was a statement of the power What is one thing in this story that of peace, but he chose a fairly confounded by Jesus’ wisdom, of powerlessness, an example (i) challenges the comfortableness confrontational way to enter the and infuriated by the way he did of his upside-down kingdom values, of where you are in the world, city. He was clearly making a claim things which made them look the sort of values he outlines and (ii) helps you to live? about himself as messiah. He was foolish in front of the people. The in Luke 6, verses 20-22 and followed by a motley crowd from military knew how to deal with in Matthew 5:39. These values are out of town and entered a holy city riots and wild crowds, but had spelt out by Paul in ‘. . . my power occupied by the most powerful no strategy to deal with a man is made perfect in weakness’, nation on earth. who offered no violence and ‘The weakness of God is stronger discouraged it in those who than men’ and ‘When I am weak, It was an action which challenged followed him, and yet was still – then I am strong’. Power for Jesus the Pharisees who thought that somehow – a threat to public order. rested in the rejection of earthly life was about their interpretation Those who wanted to maintain the symbols of influence and the The challenge is to stay faithful to of the rules. It challenged the status quo, and their own power, taking on of the mantles of humility, Jesus when being a Christian is not ‘political party’ known as the were threatened by Jesus’ call vulnerability and servanthood, just irrelevant to most people, but Herodians who supported Herod for a new kingdom of inclusiveness entry points to the strength that unpopular; when we are mocked and his family. It challenged those and care for the least, and by his comes from God. Paul understood and reviled because of the stands who thought the messiah would insistence on allegiance to God what this meant for him as a servant we take and the values we hold. restore the power of the Temple rather than to them or their wealth. of Jesus. b i le s tudy

94 Lent Event – Bible Study Six Lent Event – Bible Study Six 95 The challenge is to take our life How would you participate in such whelmed under weight of evil, Relief and Development Project 6 and our witness beyond the walls an event? weak or dead Orphans and Vulnerable Children of the church and into the Christians stand by God community. For example, we have in his hour of grief. Location - Mwandi, Zambia restricted liturgical actions to the Partner Church - United Church of church – prayer, the eucharist, God goes to man Zambia scripture – and around lectern and when he is sorely placed table. In this Palm Sunday event Body and spirit feeds he The Situation the church is challenged to take with his bread The standard of living in Mwandi, our liturgical actions – our prayers The Challenge Of Jesus For every man he as a man is below average for Zambia, and our telling of the story of Jesus Jesus’ character as revealed hangs dead: one of the poorest nations in Africa. – into public places of businesses in our studies of the scriptures Forgiven life he gives HIV/AIDs has devastated the Village and military spaces and places is a world away from that of most me through his death. of Mwandi in Zambia where the rate of learning where people need people and he opens up a world of infection stands at 35%. to hear words of life. that has upside down values. How do you respond to this poem? This has resulted in an estimated In the light of this thought, read What picture of Jesus does this 1,300 orphans and vulnerable Think about the focus of Lent Event. the following poem by Dietrich present to us? What picture children. These children are then What is one area or issue where Bonhoeffer, a German theologian of our relationship with him does usually left in the care of elderly your church might celebrate who suffered and died for his faith this offer? grandparents who do not have a liturgy in public so that your in World War II: the means to provide for them. message moves beyond your Mwandi has been greatly affected walls into the community? Men go to God when they by drought in recent years. are sorely placed, Rainfall varies considerably from Pray him for succour, year to year, making it difficult for his peace, for bread, for farmers to plan ahead. For mercy, for them sinning, This has led to widespread hunger sick or dead PROJECT and poverty. All men do so in faith or unbelief. How does this project challenge your values and priorities, Men go to God when he and threaten to turn your world is sorely placed, upside down? What does it say Find him poor, scorned, to you about the way you should unsheltered, without bread, follow Jesus? b i le s tudy

96 Lent Event – Bible Study Six Lent Event – Bible Study Six 97 The Project by the project to help children The Orphans and Vulnerable with emotional, psychosocial, Children (OVC) Centre provides social, and behavioural problems the village’s orphans with associated with the loss of their holistic care through nutritional, parents. A sewing centre has been educational, social and spiritual established to teach vocational support. The drop-in centre skills and the first students have provides children with nourishing graduated from this program. meals each day. Care includes There are over 700 OVC-sponsored the provision of multi-vitamins, children in primary education at oral care, monthly health checks, Mwandi Basic School and more recreation and educational than 100 at secondary school activities, as well as the coverage in Sesheke, as well as over 70 of costs for school attendance for at college. the children. Children are supplied with clothes twice a year. As well The Future as providing care to the children The vegetable garden and bakery attending the centre each day, will be expanded to allow the the project oversees 1,400 children community to become self- from the village, to try and ensure supporting. The work of the that the needs of all children are counselling centre will expand being met. The project also works by training more counsellors to build HIV/AIDS awareness and to care for children with special prevention through meetings, needs. Work is underway to home visits and drama. improve the village water supply to sustain crops through drought Achievements and therefore alleviate the food The feeding program has been shortage. A carpentry centre very successful and currently cares is also planned to train youth for 235 children. A vegetable garden with vocational skills to support and bakery have been established themselves. to support this program. Three child counsellors have been trained Zambia Orphaned Children 98 Lent Event – Bible Study Six Lent Event – Prayers 99 Who does Lent Event support? South India: Education, Health and Economic Development Lent Event supports vital development projects which work towards Children from 12 remote tribal communities receive access to clothing, nutritious food, healthcare, education and youth the alleviation of poverty, community development and recovery from disaster. vocational training. The project has been expanded to include Lent Event supported projects ensure sustainability and local ownership adult development initiatives, including women’s self help to transform communities for life. All projects supported by Lent Event groups, small business and leadership training. In 2010, are overseen by UnitingWorld in collaboration with local partner churches. additional youth training and health interventions will be introduced. Please refer to the back of this book for ways to make a tax deductible donation to Lent Event. Sudan: Water Supply and Education Highly impoverished communities are given access to clean water as well as schooling for children. The improved water Papua New Guinea – Accessible Drinking Water supply has enhanced the health, productivity and lifestyle Isolated communities are given access to clean water and of around 3,000 people to date. The project has also built sanitation facilities such as taps, pumps and latrine amenities. and equipped a school and in 2010, children from these In 2009, nearly 6,000 people received access to improved villages will be the first generation to learn basic literacy skills. water supply and sanitation as well as community health education. In 2010, thousands more people will benefit from the water amenities constructed by the project’s two Zambia: Support for HIV/AIDs Orphans local water teams. Over 230 orphans and vulnerable children are given essential meals, clothing, medical and educational assistance. Timor-Leste (East Timor) – Health and Livelihood Vocational training, through the newly established sewing Local people are provided with training, equipment centre, gives youth practical skills to generate income in and assistance for agricultural development and animal the future. In 2010, children will benefit from this ongoing husbandry to generate income. The village health program project and further opportunities will be provided by the new incorporates two clinics staffed by a full time preventative carpentry workshop. health nurse. In 2009, 20 farming collectives benefited from the livelihood program and the reach of this project is scheduled to double during 2010. The Relief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld is fully accredited with Solomon Islands – Mobile Health Clinics AUSAID and is a signatory to the Australian Council for International Remote provinces benefit from visiting teams of doctors Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct. and nurses from Helena Goldie Hospital who provide health advice, child immunisations and much needed emergency treatment. Funds will provide transport costs for the teams, Visit www.unitingworld.org.au for more information. essential equipment and medication. The visiting teams will also deliver education and training to local health clinics.

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