Downloads   

Purpose

To create a colorful prayer tree to visually reflect on the family/friends/goals the participants of the Study Circle would like to pray for.   This type of "Tree" can be used for many activities, like a "Virtues Tree" or an "In Memoriam" tree. Display your tree at each Study Circle to remember those the group would like to pray for.

Materials

Multi-colored construction paper, scissors, glue, magic markers, one large piece of paper (2' x 3' or so, flipchart paper works fine).   Optional items are patterned scissors, gold/silver gel pens, colored pencils, rubber stamps with various colored ink pads, etc.

Time Period

Set aside 30 minutes for this activity.

Steps

1.  Draw a tree outline on the large piece of paper.  Hang on the wall or put on a large table so participants can paste their leaves onto the paper creating a colorful leafy tree.

2.   Provide colorful paper for cutting out leaves (leaves are usually about 2-3" long and 1.5" high approx).  It's good to have a few leaves cut out in advance to get things started.

3.  Ask each participant to take some leaves and write the name of the person they'd like to pray for and the type of prayer -- for example, "Susan, Happiness" or "John, Health" or "Grandma and Grandpa, Progress in the Next World".  Then the leaf can be decorated with markers, stamps, etc.   Any type of prayer can be offered including goals like "New York City, Teaching", or "Matawan, Growth".  Participants can make as many leaves as they desire. 

4.  Paste the leaves on the paper "tree" and display when the Study Circle has future devotions together.

Notes

Participants shouldn't feel they have to put anything personal on their prayer leaf.  If they want to pray for a friend but don't want to put down the person's name, they can just write "Friend, Health".

Other Applications

This type of "Tree" can be used for many activities, like a "Virtues Tree" or an "In Memoriam" tree when you get to Unit 3 - Life and Death. Consider for Book 1, Units 2 & 3, or adapt for any Study Circle.