Monthly Leader Guide

1.     If possible, arrange the seating in the room where you will meet to allow for two groups to be seated on opposite sides of the room, facing each other. This arrangement illustrates our separateness from God and from one another and our need for reconciliation. (Slide 32)

2.     For a deeper look into The Confession of 1967 and The Confession of Belhar, consider reviewing the lesson on “A Call for Reconciliation in Society” in the Race and Reconciliation Workbook as a part of the Being Reformed series.

3.     (Slide 33) For a basic review, present the background information on The Confession of 1967 and The Confession of Belhar in “The Confessions” section of the resource material.

4.     If you have not already split into two groups, do so now. Give one group copies of The Confession of 1967 (9.44–9.47) and the other group copies of The Confession of Belhar. Ask each group to determine the understanding of reconciliation as defined in each confession and to share their discoveries with the larger group.

If you separated the seats at the beginning of the session, before you ask each group to share their understanding, instruct them to move their chairs closer together, mirroring reconciliation.

1.    Reflect on a time in the life of your church where reconciliation was needed OR reflect on a time in your own life where reconciliation was needed. Did reconciliation occur? If so, how? If not, why not? What were the factors that prevented reconciliation?

2.    If you altered your room set up to reflect separation, ask participants how it felt to come into the meeting space and if their feelings changed as they moved closer to one another.

3.    How will you work specifically for reconciliation as a spiritual leader in this congregation? As a Christian in the world?

(Slide 34) If you are using the PowerPoint slides, read together the words from The Confession of 1967 or read 9.31 and 9.44 from the confession, pausing between sections to allow time for personal prayer. Close with these words: The Confession of 1967 assures us that God equips us for this important task, closing with these words from Scripture: “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Book of Confessions, 9.56).