A study provided by Reverend Dr. Rebecca Collison of the Pen Del conference disability committee. December 2019 Leader Guide and Bibliography
Churches often don’t know where to start when it comes to evaluating their readiness to meet the needs related to starting a new ministry or revisiting their current ministry with people with disabilities. This study was crafted using stories to help connect and build relationships. By naming our experience with people with disabilities, the experience of a person with a disability, the biblical story and then a common theme of land which lends to our identity, the study group will be able to discern their heart for disability ministry and growing edges that need to be addressed.
The study has been crafted in five sessions: Where Have We Come From, Challenges, Invisible Barriers, A Ministry for All God’s People, Advocacy in Action. Each session is saved as a PDF and is intended to be copied double sided, creating a bulletin -size lesson guide. (Large print versions and Word format are available upon request.)
Each session focus connects students with stories and scripture. While guiding questions are including, the study is not meant to be a fill-in-the-blank style – just as no church or ministry style is a one-size-fits-all. The study encourages participants to engage in the questions – some of which may not have an easy immediate answer but encourage participants to be in dialog and relationship amidst themselves, the congregation, and the community. Every church/ participant will have the opportunity for self-reflection and a focus for their prayer and next steps in planning Disability- focused ministries in days ahead.
Each session should flow as follows:
- Opening prayer
- Focus One – EXPERIENCE – What has been our experience as individuals, church and society?
a. Looking at the image on the page and sharing what that message the image relays pertaining specifically to people with disabilities.
b. Then read the accompanying text and answer or discuss any questions in bold at the bottom of the section. - Focus Two – EXPLORE – Narrative of a person with disabilities.
a. Read the text provided and discuss question(s) that follow. - Focus Three – ENGAGE – Scripture story.
a. Using one’s own Bible, read the passage noted. If possible, read from more than one translation or paraphrase.
b. Use questions that follow to guide discussion on this part. The questions are written to start creating a thread of understanding that connects the EXPERIENCE and EXPLORE sections. - Focus Four – EXTEND – extending your narrative from what you knew to what you have learned, and how you can respond. This section looks at how our identity is related to the land that God has created humanity and places humanity to live as community.
- Read the text provided and discuss the statements and questions provided.
- Each session raises up the importance of this identity as a shared experience and encourages participants to take next steps into vibrant ministry to and with people with disabilities.
- At the end of the study, it is helpful for the leader to ask what new learning have been gained, and what next steps can more the church forward in being more inclusive.
- Session should end with prayer.