¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4.15-16)

This interactive prayer stations were done at the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Big Tent Conference. I was the youth coordinator and designed these stations around the theme of the conference: Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide. The theme focused in four areas: evangelism, discipleship, servanthood, and diversity. While these stations were designed for middle and high school youth, they are meant to be intergenerational. (For more specific instructions on layout, purpose, design, and more ideas, you can view previous posts tagged under “Interactive Prayer Stations.”)

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Evangelism

Materials: Different photos of Love, Video camera/tripod, Sharpies, Posterboard – cut up in 9 ½” x 12”

 Evangelism is the spreading and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. In Mark 12.30-31, it says, 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. 

Christ is clear that we are commanded to share God’s love in the way that Christ shares it with us.

Love is a universal language. Take a moment to look through all the different pictures of love. Using these as inspiration, create your own LOVE sign.

Think about how you would SPEAK love: Would you say it loud? Joyful? Quiet? Gentle?

Once you have decided, look into the video camera, holding your sign up, and SPEAK the word LOVE in any way you want to EXPRESS love to the world.

Interactive Prayer Station #2: Discipleship

Materials: Life Map, a Stamp Set for embossing, Colored Ink Pad, Sugar-free drink mix, Spices, Cocoa, Clear Stampin’ Emboss powder, Heat Tool

Ingredients for Smelling Embossing Powder:

Mix 1 part sugar-free drink mix to 1-1/2 parts Clear embossing powder. For example, you would mix 1 teaspoon drink mix with 1-1/2 teaspoons of Clear embossing powder. You’ll have a scented embossing powder!

Note: For the scent, select a sugar-free flavored creamer or sugar-free drink mix for your project, such as sugar-free Kool-Aid® or cocoa. Why must the mix be sugar free? Because heated sugar crisps and browns. When choosing the right drink mix, consider both color and scent. Colored embossing powder will work for scratch-and-sniff images; however, unless you use embossing powder that is the same color as your drink mix, the colors may blend strangely. For visual instructions, click here.

Christ not only calls us to follow him, but also to “make disciples.” What does that mean? In Matthew 28.18-20, it says, . . . 

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

Jesus Christ called some of the disciples while they were fishing – doing their job, living their life. They were called just as they are. Christ calls us just as we are.

On the table are a variety of different scents: cinnamon, orange, cherry, nutmeg, cocoa, etc. Reflecting on the following four questions, make a scratch-n-sniff life map. Choose a smell and a stamp to go along with each of the questions to mark each significant moment in your life.

Directions for embossing:

• Stamp your image on a colored ink pad and on your life map.
• Sprinkle the embossing powder over your stamped image. Dust off the excess powder.
• Using the heat tool, heat the powder until it melts.

1.    God created you special. You may not remember your birth, but choose a stamp and a smell and mark it on your map.

2.    Baptism is a ritual that reminds us that God chose us and loves us. If you were baptized, choose a stamp and a smell and mark it on your map. If you were not baptized, choose a stamp and a smell that marks your desire to know God more.

3.    Think about your life. Think about the first moment you recall knowing of God and feeling God’s love for you. Choose a stamp and a smell and mark it on your map.

4.    God calls us to use our God-given gifts and talents to serve God, to love our neighbors, and to bless others. Choose a stamp and a smell that marks your desire to use your gifts.

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Servanthood

Materials: Paper Dolls, Tissue paper, Wiggly eyes, Feathers, Yarn, Pom Poms, Scissors, a Variety of Jesus’ Pictures as Servant or one being Served

As Christ’s followers and disciples, we are called to serve our neighbors, community, and world. In 1 John 3.17, it says . . . 

“How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?”

We are to be Christ’s hands and arms to the world. Take a moment to look at the different images of Jesus Christ. These are images of Jesus as servant or as a person in need.

Using the materials on the table, create your own image of Jesus as servant or as a person in need.

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Diversity

Materials: “Remember Me” Video, Pencils/Pens, Projector, Screen

God created us in God’s image. We are created unique, special, and with particular gifts and talents. We also live in a diverse world with different cultures, life experiences, and challenges. Luke 13.29 says . . .

Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God.

As you view the video, reflect on the images and the diversity of God’s people and experiences. During this conference, there will be many opportunities to experience different things and meet different people. How is God calling you to participate and engage during your time here?

 Here is the video by Philip Cha, RememberMe.