Description: Gather young adults at a convenient outdoor spot for a midweek lunchtime Bible study.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: Four weeks before your first “Lunchtime Lectionary” gathering, decide on a location (or more than one, if you have a large enough young adult group) and start recruiting volunteer leaders and publicizing the Bible study.
- Volunteers Needed: You will need one or two volunteer leaders for each gathering location.
- Supplies: Invite young adults to bring along their Bibles or a Bible app. You should also print out a few copies of the scripture reading and any additional materials you want to hand out. If you are using Young Adult Ministry in a Box’s “Relevant Readings” questions, you should print those or e-mail them to young adults in advance. Ask young adults to bring their own lunch, but you can supply a dessert or other treat.
- Reserve the Space: Pick a convenient, public space like a park or outdoor eating area that is near to the workplaces of the young adults in your group.
- Ideal Group Size: This program idea will work for any size group. If you anticipate a group of 12 or more, you should consider picking two locations for “Lunchtime Lectionary.”
- Who is this for? All young adults, but especially young professionals. This is a great way for busy, driven young adults to take a break in the middle of the day.
- When is a good time for this? A weekday over lunch. Determine the time based on the schedules of those who are most interested. Consider having these gatherings every week or every other week in the fall before the weather turns cold. You can pick them up again in the spring!
- Publicize the Program:
- Once you confirm a date for your first “Lunchtime Lectionary,” send out an e-mail announcement, post the date in your parish bulletin, and share on your regular social media outlets. Include as many dates as you’ve planned for (weekly, bi-weekly, or whatever you decide).
- The Sunday before the first gathering, give an extra e-mail, bulletin, and social media push.
- Ask the volunteer leaders to take photos of the group. You can share these on social media, the parish website, newsletters, and more. The photos will also be helpful in promoting “Lunchtime Lectionary” in the future.
Prayer for Program Planner: Loving God, studying and reflecting on your word helps us to grow closer to you and the life you’d like us to lead. May these lunchtime gatherings reflect your love for us and deepen our understanding of that love for others. Amen.
Community Building: These lunchtime gatherings are an opportunity for young adults to get to know one another as they have lunch and reflect on the week’s scripture lesson. It’s also an opportunity for evangelization, as young adults can invite other young adult coworkers to participate.
