Get a Piece of the Rock
(Matt. 7:24-27)

1. Engager: Building Pyramids

Divide into groups of three, six, or ten. Each group will build human pyramids (on hands and knees) and then do tricks while in pyramid formation, as instructed by the leader. Have the groups turn com­pletely around, walk from a starting line across a finish line, lift up one arm and hold the pyramid for 20 seconds. Remem­ber, all of this is to be done while in pyramids.

2. Read Matthew 7:24-27.

3. Give each person a handout with the fol­lowing questions on it. Have them refer to the text and write responses to the questions on their own.

• Where did the wise person build the house? What happened to it?
• Where did the foolish person build the house? What happened to it?
• What do you think the rock symbol­izes?
• What do you think the sand symbol­izes?
• What does it mean for you to "build your life on the solid rock"?
• What are some of the "sandy" founda­tions in your life?
• Write a prayer to God confessing the "sandy" places and asking for strength to build upon the solid rock, putting God's word into action.

4. Share responses in groups of three to six.

5. Together, brainstorm ways that your group can put God's word into practice. Select at least one of the suggestions and do it together at your next meeting.

6. Close with prayer.

Join Together for Peace
(Matt. 5:9; Eph. 4:25-32)

1. Engager: What does peace look like? Before the meeting, hang ten to fifteen dif­ferent pictures of scenery, animals, people, just about anything. National Geographic magazine is a good place to get them. In­struct the group to walk around the room and find the picture that says something about peace to them. Ask each person to share which picture he or she chose and why.

2. Read Matthew 5:9 and Ephesians 4:25­32.

3. Discuss the following questions:

• What is a "peacemaker"?
• What do you think the verses from Ephesians have to do with making peace?
• What are some specific things you can do in your life to bring peace to your­self, your family, your friends, our com­munity, our nation, our world? (Just get a few ideas out; this is to generate thinking for the activity.)

4. Activity: Peace Chain

Making a peace chain symbolizes that when we put our ideas and actions to­gether, we can do great things for peace.

Before the meeting, gather together a large stack of construction paper strips (1'/z by 11 inches), marking pens, and a stapler. Instruct the group to think of as many specific things as they can that they can do for peace. Write the idea on a strip of paper (one idea per strip), loop it through another loop, and staple it to form a link in a paper chain. See how long you can make the chain.