Burden Surfing Setting the Stage Road Work, Trek  and Journey Gather in a large circle, welcome, pray for the meal and the gathering, make announcements. Introduce the lesson: As the people of God, we are called to bear one another's burdens, to help one another. We give and receive support at many levels: physically, emotionally, morally, financially. Supporting one another is an important part of what it means to be "the body of Christ." Tell the Story Road Work, Trek  and Journey Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-7 (One body, one Spirit) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. Reacting to the Story Road Work, Trek and Journey (Normally, we would break into "Journey Groups" at this point, but because of the "Share and Care Dinner" we will remain together.) Tonight is a session of three challenges. We will do one challenge, then a short discussion, then the next. 1st Challenge: Lap Sit Have the group form a tight circle facing sideways. Have them place their hands on the waist of the person in front of them. On the count of three, they are to sit on the lap behind them while the person in front on them sits in their lap. You may want to do a trial run by having everyone start to sit down on a count of 1-2-3 to where they are just touching the lap of the person in back of them. Then stand back up again. The key is for the circle to be very tight and round. Any gaps or kinks in the circle will result in part (or all) of the circle collapsing. It may take several attempts before being successful. When successful ask the following questions. ·How difficult was it for you to allow others to support your weight? ·In what ways do you struggle with allowing people to give you support in your life? ·How difficult was it to support others? ·Which did you worry about more: sitting on someone's lap, or someone sitting on yours? ·How did you feel when you were off the ground and being supported by the group? 2nd Challenge: Human Ladder Sponsors must be spotters, ready to assist and keep everyone from danger. Make as many smaller groups as needed. Have members of the group hold three boards in ascending order (like a ladder). Have a volunteer climb the ladder up, over and down an obstacle. The board holders may only move when the climber is not on the board. By moving from the back of the line the board holders can create a new step in front of the climber. The climber must go up then down. The steps can be close or far apart, and the ladder can be as long or short as the group desires. Repeat the challenge with all of the members who want to climb.  When successful ask the following questions: ·What was it like when you were the one giving the support? ·Which role was more difficult for you? ·What did you learn about your self in doing this exercise? 3rd Challenge: Walk the Body Sponsors must be spotters, ready to assist and keep everyone from danger. Individual volunteers fall backwards as the group catches them and swings them up so that the group is supporting the person parallel to the ground. (Falling back and being caught is easier than trying to lift someone off the ground.) Then the group is to walk forward carefully down the hall and back, with the person in this position. Then they gently let the person back down to the ground. Repeat the challenge with as many group members as want to volunteer. When completed ask the following questions: ·How did it feel when you were off the ground and being supported by the group? ·What was it like when you were the one giving the support? ·Which role was more difficult for you?  ·What did you learn about yourself in doing this exercise? Connecting to the Story Road Work, Trek and Journey Read aloud the following Scripture. Galatians 6:1-5 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads Living the Story  Road Work, Trek and Journey ·What point is made in these two passages? ·What does this point have to do with the three challenges we just did? ·What does "bear one another's burdens" mean? ·How can we do that in real life? ·How can we do that within our own group? ·What kinds of burdens do we have? ·How can we give support in these areas? ·When we do this for one another how are we affected? Prayer  Road Work, Trek & Journey: Invite the youth to join hands and offer a few words of prayer if they want. The leader starts the prayer, then squeezes the hand of the person to the left to indicate their turn, if they do not wish to speak just pass the squeeze and so on, until the squeeze gets back to the first person.