The Israelites were a people who experienced chronic trauma, and life can feel just as overwhelming for us today. Yet the Bible shows that God doesn’t just watch from the sidelines, rather God sustains, loves, and cares for us, even in the hardest moments. This series about resilience in the Old Testament dives into the stories of Jeremiah, Hagar, Hezekiah, and Elijah to explore what resilience really looks like: not just surviving, but relying on God to support and guide us so that we can respond faithfully and courageously when life is challenging.
Details:
$75.00
Week 1—Flourishing while Exiled
Explore the role that hope plays in resilience. Participants will read an encouraging passage from Jeremiah and listen to a story inspired by a teenager living in exile as a refugee.
Scripture—Jeremiah 29:1-11
Week 2—Outcast but Seen
This week, you will be exploring the power of God’s presence in building resilience. The Disorienting Dilemma for this week is a scene from Wicked in which Elphaba, who has been an outcast her whole life, is finally recognized by Glinda, the most popular girl at Shiz. Our biblical partner for this session is Hagar, an outcast herself, who meets God in the wilderness after having suffered an abusive relationship. Youth will consider what it means to find resilience in the sheer fact that God sees and knows them, and imagine how God’s care for the outcasts might inform their own mindsets.
Scripture—Genesis 16:1-15
Week 3—Rest in Resilience
This session will examine the role that rest plays in resilience. Youth will begin by participating in a challenge to see who can hold a note the longest. Then, they will learn about the staggered breathing technique and reflect on how permission to rest impacts their physical and emotional state. Our biblical partner is the prophet Elijah, whose restlessness causes him to act rashly in the name of God. God comes to Elijah in the silence, reminding Elijah of the importance of rest. Youth will reflect on how God calls us to rest and resilience.
Scripture—1 Kings 19:1-16
Week 4—Called in Exile
In this session, your group will explore themes of resilience, identity, and discernment. The session begins with a clip from The Lion King in which the deceased Mufasa inspires Simba to embrace his call to be a leader. Our biblical partner for this week is King Hezekiah, a person of faith tasked with leading in a time of imperial threat. Hezekiah reminds the Israelites of their identity according to their covenant with God, demonstrating what it looks like to listen to God’s voice even when it is unpopular or even scary. After accompanying both Simba and Hezekiah on their journeys, youth reflect on their identity as people of faith and consider how that identity makes them resilient.
Scripture—2 Kings 19:8-19
Holy Disruptions series are designed to delve into the unique experiences of today’s youth, spark deep theological reflection, and foster transformative discussions. Our three-part methodology empowers students to align with God’s vision and desires for the world.
Facilitate a disorienting experience – where students are most receptive to growth.
Invite students to investigate their reaction to the disorienting moment.
Ask students to explore what God says about it.
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