Make It Happen
- Allow people to gather and mingle. Have a snack and drink table right at the entrance. (You could award a prize for the funniest apron brought by painters!)
- Have participants take a seat at a station.
- Welcome them to Paint and Pray. Explain that you will be leading them through a unique prayer service. (Be sure to emphasize that they shouldn’t feel insecure about their painting abilities. It is prayer and each individual prays differently. All reflection should be done silently.)
- Have Paint Leader lead the group in sketching what they will paint. (If you have time to pre-sketch the painting then you can skip this step.)
- Read Luke 23:1-31. Instruct participants to paint (1) brown. Have Paint Leader model this by painting (1) brown. As they are painting ask the following questions:
- When have you been like Simon, forced to carry a cross you did not intend? Did this experience bring you closer to Jesus?
- When have you been like the women followers? Scared? Unsure? What brought you comfort in these times?
- Even after people finish painting (1) allow them to take a few minutes to reflect. (Note this will give their paintings a little time to dry. If people are worried about smearing, they can use the hair dryers on a low quiet setting.)
- Read Luke 23:32-39. Instruct participants to paint cross on the left (2) black. Have Paint Leader model this by painting (2) black. As the participants are painting, ask the following questions:
- What times in your life have you questioned God?
- What times in your life have you been closed off to Jesus’ plan for you?
- Read Luke 23:40-42. Instruct participants to paint cross on the far right (3) blue. The Paint Leader should model this. As participant are painting, ask the following questions:
- When have you asked for God’s forgiveness?
- When has God given you something you did not deserve?
- Read Luke 23:43. Instruct participants to paint cross in the middle (4) red. The Paint Leader should model this. As participants are painting, ask the following question:
- What do you picture Heaven to be like?
- Read Luke 23:44-49. Instruct participants to paint the sky (5) purple. As they are painting have them reflect on this:
- The color purple reminds us that Jesus is truly the King of the Universe. How can you better honor Jesus, the King of the Universe, this Lent?
- As people finish their paintings, have the participants dry them before heading home. This is a great opportunity for the young adults to discuss their Paint and Pray experience.
Ideas
- The overall retreat brings up a lot of themes that could be expanded upon (burdens, forgiveness, etc.). You might have people bring their paintings back to another event and give a talk about their experience. Expand upon their experience by asking questions that delve further into those topics.
Help
- Set-Up Example #1 (PDF)
- Set-Up Example #2 (PDF)
- Paint and Pray Picture Outline (PDF)
- Cross Template (PDF)
- Gospel readings on USCCB Website.
