Growing 2018 lent course by Wau Diocese

A Lent study course for 2013

Adjective 1. 2. 3. 4.

Becoming greater in quantity, size or intensity. Showing increase. Something that shows qualities of being alive. The activity of making things grow.

Synonyms: augmenting, expanding, maturing, spreading, thriving.

Remember this â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 2Corinthians 9 verse6

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Forward by the Most Rev Moses Deng Bol Lent is a time of year that is specially set aside for Christians to grow and learn more about their faith. As a Church in South Sudan, in the North Eastern corner of Africa we face many challenges but one of them is not enthusiasm for our faith. It gives me great pleasure to be able to offer this course of learning. This is an easy course to use and will work as well in North America as it can in South Africa or South Sudan. This course focuses on, farming. Growing food is crucial to our lives in South Sudan in a very real way. This course draws on passages from the Bible to allow people to learn together. Much of the learning is done through discussion, enabling the sharing of fellowship as well as knowledge. I really hope that this course is fun to attend as well as challenging and instructive. The world must look for growth everywhere, not just in food but to see how it may improve society, especially for us in South Sudan. Growing in faith is something we all need and we can start at any time. Many times Jesus spoke about things growing and the Bible shows us too how important it is to grow faith. Without farming we are doomed to starve, without faith we are doomed to hell. The internet also allows us to make this course something we can all share together and I really hope that you will make time to connect with us in Northern Bahr el Ghazel Internal Province during lent, share your insights with us. In this way we can all reach out in fellowship and perhaps learn more from each other. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an exciting idea. Whatever you decide to do it is my prayer that this course will help you to grow in the knowledge and love of God and bring you closer to Jesus as the events of Easter approach. I would like to thank my staff for all the hard work that they gave to preparing this course and I would like to wish you every blessing in your time of study this lent. Every Blessing

++ Moses

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Page Index 3

A Forward by the Rt Rev Moses Deng Bol

Notes for Course Leaders

The Session Authors

Week 1 – Good Stewardship 11

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 2 – Removing Weeds 20

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 3 – The Sower 30

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 4 – The Farmer 39

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 5 – The Fig Tree 50

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 6 – Storing in Barns 60

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Connect with us

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Notes for Course Leaders This course is intended to be used anywhere by anyone so there is a lot of scope in our notes for using this course in your own culture and location. There is no real need for anything else than one copy of the course. The Bible verse is provided and everything can be done verbally. If you want them worksheets can be printed for each week to give to those who attend. We hope that keeping things simple will help those with few resources and focus the minds of those that do. The important part of the course is the discussion of the Gospel. We hope that the following notes will help give you the confidence to provide a good learning environment and run a successful course.

Prayer for Your Lent Course We feel that it is important to pray for the work of this Lent Study course. Encourage your church family to pray for the Lent course, the people attending and leading it. If you have regular prayers said in services or in vigils include the Lent Study course during Lent so that all of your work is offered to God and may be blessed at the same time. If several people are leading the Lent Study course they may find strength in a short time of prayer before and after the sessions.

Be Welcoming Ensure that all the people coming to the course are made welcome. Pick a location to hold the course that is comfortable and suitable to all those that may come. Help to make people feel at ease by offering hospitality if you can. If you can offer a drink or something to eat this helps a lot. It may be that all you can offer is a hug and a smile, this can work really well. Most people are nervous at the beginning of a meeting like this, especially if they are people that do not know one another and are new to church.

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Greet one another and share names When everyone has gathered and been made welcome take the time to introduce yourself and any helpers that are with you. Then suggest that everyone should introduce themselves in the same way so that there are no strangers and everyone is known. If someone refuses thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OK they will probably change their mind later. Always introduce new people if they join in the following weeks. Helping people to feel relaxed and part of a group will make them much more open to sharing in the group which is important for the course to succeed. Ask people at this point every week if they have any prayer needs so that at the start of the course they can be prayed for. This also helps people to feel included in a group of friends.

A Safe Space Before you begin each course session agree with everyone that this is a safe space because nothing that is said will be repeated away from the group. There is a strong element of trust to this but making people understand that the group is a safe space to talk is important to allowing people to be truly honest when sharing with the group.

Presenting the Course sessions Plan ahead and be organised so that you can take your time. Have a way of beginning such as lighting a candle, ringing a bell or singing a song. Ensure everyone knows that from this point on they are in session. Say prayers for the group remembering any needs that were given earlier. Discussions often take more time than you think. Discussing the questions asked for each Gospel passage are important to the course. As the leader you will know the answers and it may be that you need to ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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guide the discussions if people are straying too far from the point. Use this time to add knowledge that people may not have seen from the passage themselves. Be careful to prevent differences of opinion becoming arguments. It is OK to have different views and disagree but people should have respect for one another. Also remember that it is possible that people will learn other valuable things from each session so try to be open to this possibility. It may be best to select a reader to read the Gospel aloud for each session and if you cannot provide worksheets listen to it read several times. The version given is the Message Bible version. There is no harm in using other versions of the Bible if they are more familiar or people bring their own Bibles. This may help discussion which is a good thing. Take care to allow plenty of time for the questions so that people can say what they think and talk thoroughly. At the end of the questions encourage people to see how the session applies to the life around them.

Sharing with Others It may be that in your location there are several churches. Our Lent Study Course can also be used as a tool to share fellowship with other Christians. It can be a way to share resources and spread costs, perhaps allowing you to do together something that you could not do alone. If you consider sharing our course with other churches remember to respect your neighbours and seek to work with them in faith.

Sharing on Our Website We would like to connect anyone using this Lent Study course in faith by using our website. We are asking for responses from each Lent Study group. ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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Summing up and Going with Grace Talking about the Gospel is very important and the way that this course teaches. But it is also just as important to draw the discussion to a point and finish the session with the group realising that they have learned something and been challenged. Every session has a summing up passage that draws the session to a conclusion. There is also a prayer set on the theme that everyone should be encouraged to join in with. If in your location you cannot provide worksheets this prayer could be repeated several times to allow people to join in. Take a moment to ask the group how they think they might apply what they have learned in their lives. Think about what message your group would like to send us and perhaps a member of your group could be asked to do that. Also fix a date for the next session so that everyone present knows it. It may be that particular needs or concerns will have been raised during the session. This is a time that can be set aside to pray for these needs or the people that they affect. Finish each session with the Grace prayer this will help to re enforce the idea of unity and fellowship. If it is possible and suitable in your location say this prayer holding hands and looking at one another as you pray. Doing this helps people to feel connected by the love of God and so as they go Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love goes with them. When all the people have gone say a prayer for those that attended and anyone helping you to present this Lent Study Course. It is also wise to make a note of anything that went particularly well or even particularly badly so that you can also learn from each session. If there is anything that you would like to share with us about what worked well or not we would be very glad to know it.

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What if They Want More ? Part of the aim of this Lent Study course is to reach out to people and make them think about Jesus. This can have a strong effect which may result in two things. A person may feel that a session has left them with questions or a need to talk about serious events in their lives. It is important to be prepared for this and be ready to meet this need if it comes. Helping a person at this time can be an important step to them accepting Jesus in to their lives. Attending the Lent Study course may encourage people new to faith by feeling the call of God to come to your church. This is a time of exploration for them and your church should be ready for this possibility too. It is important to help such people start their journey of faith with confidence and love.

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The Lent Course Authors: Rev Samuel Mabith

Week 1 – Good Stewardship

Rev Samuel is the secretary for the Internal Provence of Northern Bahr el Ghazal. He is currently at study with his family in Nairobi and had worked in Wau Diocese since completing his training. Rev Samuel is working hard to serve God in this new role.

Rev William Majok

Week 2- Removing Weeds

Rev William is the Diocesan Secretary of Wau Diocese and a very busy person. Working hard Rev William expresses his faith in the deeds he does every day as a key part of the Wau Diocese staff. He was glad to participate in this Lent course.

Sarah Samuel Mabith

Week 3 – The Sower

Sarah is the wife of Rev Samuel Mabith and a mother of two children. Sarah hopes to study in the future to become a doctor or medical professional. She has a keen interest in education and made sure she completed her secondary education.

Rev Peter Akook

Week 4- The Farmer

Rev Peter is passionate about education and faith. He is currently working on the Justice Peace and Reconciliation Committee in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and is a key motivator in the creation of this Lent course to make faith more available to others.

Mirembe Edith

Week 5 – The Fig Tree

Mirembe is a recent graduate of St John’s College of Theology and Development in Wau and passionate about her faith. Mirembe works as a medical assistant helping people in practical ways using her skills and talents, and has recently learned to drive.

Rt Rev Joseph Mamer

Week 6 – Storing in Barns

Bishop Joseph is a new assistant Bishop in the Wanyjok area Diocese of Aweil Diocese. Deeply committed to his faith Bishop Joseph has in the past worked for NGOs and been Principal of St John’s College of Theology and Development.

Rev Philip Ajing

Week 5 – The Fig Tree

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Rev Philip is a longstanding pastor of Wau Diocese and currently a degree student of theology. Philip is passionate about the potential of education to bring positive change to society as well as individuals in south Sudan.

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Lent Course Week 1 Good Stewardship By Rev Samuel Mabith

Please read the Bible verses below:

Genesis Chapter 1 verse 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Deuteronomy Chapter 11 verses13-15 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— 14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

Setting the Scene In South Sudan farming is hard work, many of the labour saving devices use in other parts of the world are not available. Many men have left the army or returned from other areas and are unused to so much hard work. For them there is no connection between the land and God. Some people refuse to work and expect to be given food. Some work hard with poor tools and can grow only a little of what the land could produce. With good tools and good training it has been seen that plenty can be grown. The sad truth is that there is not enough, people are not encouraged enough and food is in short supply. Development is connected to farming and understanding the need to make the best use of the goodness that God provides.

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. If you trusted someone and they failed you how would you feel? 2. In the reading from Genesis who was God talking to? 3. Why do you think God is doing this, is it a responsibility? 4. Thinking particularly of farming how can we show faithfulness to God? 5. If God trusts you with the land should you use it well, is this respectful? 6. If farming was done better would there be more food for everyone? 7. Does everybody in South Sudan farm in the best way possible? 8. As Christians what can we do to show God that we are faithful and worthy of trust?

Pray together: Oh God thank you for the gift of life and the gift the land plus fruitful things living in it. Our lovely Father we are praying that the Lord bless our country South Sudan to have a spirit of understanding and ownership for taking care of our country and the properties in it. Lord give us the ability of working hard to have more food in our places. God take away the spirit of laziness and give us the ability of working to do our own things for food. Our Father, as your Son Jesus Christ died for our sins in order to clean us, may you forgive us in wonderful prayers in this week Lord of Glory. God Almighty bless the people and the land of South Sudan our mother land. Let your word dwell in us and give us the spirit of love and spirit of ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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peace in our entire community God Almighty. I am praying that Lord you may open our hearts and our minds to receive your spirit of faithfulness and of understanding so that we can be prosper in this land of ours. I pray this In Jesus Name our Lord and Saviour. Amen!

For the Week Ahead

2 Timothy 2:6 “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.”

“In the coming week think about the world around you. What could you do to improve the way you use the land, has something you have done wasted a chance to improve? Do your own actions condemn you? The answers may not be simple or easy but pray about that this week and ask God to help.”

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

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Lent Course Week 1 Leaders Notes Good Stewardship By Rev Samuel Mabith

Please read the Bible verses below:

Genesis Chapter 1 verse 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers: Allow people to talk and then using the notes for each question draw the discussion to a common answer.

1. If you trusted someone and they failed you how would you feel? When someone fails you, you feel loss, and grief. In fact if you are trusted by someone to do the work and you failed to do it you will be either be dismissed from the job like Adam and Eve when they were trusted by God to take care of the things in the garden and they failed to keep their promise to God. You will not be trusted to be given responsibility and that will make your life difficult to survive. Because people will not trust you anymore to do their work they will fear and run away from you and there will not be a friend who can trust you with something. That requires us to turn away from our wrong doing. But as a Christian we need quick forgiveness because the more you wait the more you hurt yourselves and as more rush in the more you heal each other. In the book of Ephesians 4:32 it says be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgive one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

2. In the reading from Genesis who was God talking to? In the book of Genesis God was talking to Adam and Eve our early grandparents to take care of everything that He gave. But today God is talking to us to take care of what we have today because we are descended from Adam and Eve. He gave us responsibility to take care of all His creatures for our benefit and they will be for us for food. God also wanted us to multiply and increase in number and subdue the earth as well as possible. That is referred in this clause to what goes before in the preceding verse, as well as to what is in this, and takes the sense to be, that the fish of the sea, and fowl of the air, and every living creature man had dominion over, as well as herbs and fruit, were given him for his food.

3. Why do you think God is doing this, is it a responsibility? The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). In the first story of creation, God blessed humanity (through Adam and Eve) with leadership over the world. We were told to take the land and own it, control it, and give it order. In the second story of creation, however, we were told to serve it and to protect it. This is the one commission that God gives to all of humanity. The first few chapters of Genesis talk a lot about the earth (dirt and ground), and what comes from the ground (plants, animals and human beings). According to Genesis, it is our purpose in life to bear children and to dominate as well as take care of the earth; watching over it and protecting it. Absolutely this responsibility has been given to human beings so that we can take care of the properties that we have on this earth for example, the animals, the birds, and all creatures living around us.

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4. Thinking particularly of farming how can we show faithfulness to God? We can show our faithfulness to God Almighty by worshipping Him alone, obeying His commandments and by offering to yield what we have from our farms. We give Him thanks for the gift of land and other things He provided in it. Without faithfulness to God there can be no Christian life. Christianity is based first on faith that God is, and then that through Christ Jesus we can be forgiven and are saved. Our faithfulness is a commitment to adhere to the One God who is true and supreme and to keep His commandments.

5. If God trusts you with the land should you use it well, is this respectful? Yes we can use it well as God wants it to be with respect and honour. The emphasis for this week would be to encourage people to make the connection that God expects faithfulness because we are trusted with something that is a gift to us. We have free will and can do as we please but if we want God to bless our efforts it is wise to behave in a way that pleases God. But most of our people didn’t know the importance of the land they use it as if they are not responsible for it. Because what I know God gave us responsibility of everything alive around us to use for food and for our benefit. Otherwise if we don’t respect what God wants us to do we will be punished and that punishment only God knows. What we should do is to own our land and use it respectfully. In that manner God will bless you with many things and you will enjoy life better if you do that.

6. If farming was done better would there be more food for everyone? Yes absolutely if we work hard to cultivate enough the piece of land for cultivation we can be having enough food for everyone and there will be no hunger for some good numbers of years. One farm will even employ big numbers of people and they will get their food too. If we have enough food there will be no more corruption in the country because the food will be enough for very one living in the country. In the Bible OLD and NEW Testaments there are some parts talking about working especially in The NT verse 2 Timothy 2:6 “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops”. The Bible is very clear to us that we should work hard to eat and if we don’t work we do not deserve to get anything.

7. Does everybody in South Sudan farm in the best way possible? No, but some of them because there are a lot of challenges that fail people to have enough food, sometime rain is not frequent and again no irrigation machines. The issue of rain is punishment from God, our people destroy the forests and shedding of blood every year is constant and that caused problem to rain. From there no more food and many people are dying of hunger. We are not respecting the nature of God like one another and cutting and burning down our forests.

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8. As Christians what can we do to show God that we are faithful and worthy of trust? What we should do to show to that we are faithful to Him is to be faithful with the little we have. An example from the Bible verses: Mat 25:21-23) “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ {22} “He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ {23} “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Luke 16:9-13) “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. {10} “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. {11} “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? {12} “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?”.

Summing Up Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer. Everything we have has been given to us by God. It is a free gift give from love. When we know that, things in this world can seem very different. God wants us to prosper and enjoy life but God also wants us to respect the things that are created. We are a part of God’s creation and asked to look after it as we make use of it. We should not be wasteful or destructive because these things are disrespectful to God. We are in a relationship with God and always have been, A relationship of trust and forgiveness. Working hard being faithful and doing what is right will always be rewarded.

Encourage everyone to say this prayer. If it is not practical to have enough sheets to share out teach the prayer by repeating it.

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Pray together:

Oh God thank you for the gift of life and the gift the land plus fruitful things living in it. Our lovely Father we are praying that the Lord bless our country South Sudan to have a spirit of understanding and ownership for taking care of our country and the properties in it. Lord give us the ability of working hard to have more food in our places. God take away the spirit of laziness and give us the ability of working to do our own things for food. Our Father, as your Son Jesus Christ died for our sins in order to clean us, may you forgive us in wonderful prayers in this week Lord of Glory. God Almighty bless the people and the land of South Sudan our mother land. Let your word dwell in us and give us the spirit of love and spirit of peace in our entire community God Almighty. I am praying that Lord you may open our hearts and our minds to receive your spirit of faithfulness and of understanding so that we can be prosper in this land of ours. I pray this In Jesus Name our Lord and Saviour. Amen!

If the need is felt allow others to share prayers on this theme in a time of free prayer.

New Testament Quote: 2 Timothy 2:6 “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.”

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This phrase reminds us of the fair nature of God and is not just about the obvious sense that a hardworking farmer should be rewarded. The hardworking farmer could be a person growing others in faith. No matter what you do God will reward your honest efforts.

Arrange to meet next week and finish saying the Grace together. In so far as is practical encourage people to say the grace holding hands and sharing a smile with each member of the group to encourage a positive feel of inclusiveness.

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

When all the people have left make a note of anything that came up in the group session that may be useful in the life of your Church group or community.

Spend a short time in prayer to give thanks to God and pray for the people that have attended. ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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Lent Course Week 2 Removing Weeds By Rev William Majok

Please read the parable below:

Mathew Chapter 13 Verses 24 - 30

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

Setting the Scene South Sudan is a young nation which gained independence a few years ago and currently the country is going through a lot of crisis simply because of bad people or bad plants that are being controlled by the Devil. In South Sudan here people do not care for the most vulnerable groups and civilians as whole. The current situation of South Sudan has forced many people to become IDPs within South Sudan and the neighbouring countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, who are full of refugees from South Sudan. In South Sudan there are people who are responsible for the suffering of our people and we must tell them in order to realize where they have gone wrong. We are praying for those who are planted by the devil we should not forsake them, or make distinction by ourselves because we are both influenced by Jesus. Due to the fact that God knows what is going on in South Sudan concerning bad and good people and one day he who is the final judge will bring the history of South Sudan to an end. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ let us learn how to exercise patience and be warmly waiting until God’s purposes are worked out

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. This story is a parable, so who is the man sowing and who is the good seed? 2. Who is the enemy in the parable that Jesus tells here? 3. What does Jesus really mean when he says everyone was sleeping? 4. Do weeds affect the good plants growing in the field? 5. What can we learn about God knowing that the sower would not just pull up the plants? 6. Can a person change from bad to good and be saved by Jesus? 7. What eventually happened to the weeds and the wheat in the parable? 8. What can we do to be more like wheat and less like weeds in our daily lives?

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wicked ways to be washed by the blood of your only begotten son Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Lord we know that you are the only source of peace and we strongly believe and trust in you that one day you will bring the sustainable peace to our nation. Lord we pray for the church leaders to give them wisdom and strengthen them in their faith so that they will be able to speaks the truth. We ask this in Jesus name we pray and believe. Amen.

For the Week Ahead

Luke 3:9 “The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”

“In the coming week think about yourself. Do your actions make you a weed or a plant? Search your heart to truly see? Do your own actions condemn you? The answers may not be simple or easy but pray about it this week and ask God to help.”

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

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Lent Course Week 2 Leaders Notes Removing Weeds By Rev William Majok

Please read the parable below:

Mathew Chapter 13 Verses 24 - 30

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

Allow people to talk and then using the notes for each question draw the discussion to a common answer. 1. This story is a parable, so who is the man sowing and who is the good seed? The man sowing the seed is Jesus Christ who came to this world to tell the people of the world about the good news of salvation and preached to them about the kingdom of God so that all people can go to church to be baptized and born again. For them to enter into the kingdom of God the Father who sent his only begotten son to redeem His people whom He has chosen for salvation. Here in this chapter we realized that Jesus came to the world with the word of God for people to receive it but it seem there is an enemy who does not like people to be free and follow Christ. The good seed are the people who receive the Gospel with joy and stand firm during temptation and follow the Christ. The three main elements in the parable of the wheat and the weeds are the owner of the field who is the Jesus Christ our Lord, the good seeds which means the believers or the followers of Jesus Christ and weeds which represent the enemy who sabotage the owner’s harvest by planting the seeds of weeds that are poisonous. The same is true of current situation of South Sudan it is true that God’s words were planted and the enemy whose aim is to destroy came in and planted the bad weeds that seem too good and yet they are poisonous. Here in South Sudan the religious leaders are preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God and the devil plants are also at work, they come as good and later will cause trouble. We must therefore be serious to know that the weeds are in the crop and we should not be quick to uproot them as we can also uproot the good ones, let God who knows those who are good and those who are not be the one to make the decision of when and how to remove those bad plants out from the good plants.

2. Who is the enemy in the parable that Jesus tells here? The enemy is the devil that sows the bad plants which seems to resemble wheat and yet they are poisonous to the wheat. An enemy the (evil one) attempts to sabotage the owner’s harvest by secretly planting seeds of a weed that resembles wheat and which sometimes be poisonous. The enemy’s ploy is only discovered when the crop is established’ the shoots have emerged and the difference between the two types of plant has become obvious. In the same way in South Sudan we have good people who belong to Christ and also the bad or evil people who are always affecting the lives of the good ones through war, persecution, intimidation and destruction. To the church, and all true believers; the adversary is, going about, like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Here in this verse we realize that the enemy is the devil who was activating the Jews to plan the Jesus death.

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3. What does Jesus really mean when he says everyone was sleeping? It means when the faith of the people of God becomes cool and reluctant in their commitment of preaching the Gospel to people who have not yet received Christ. Here in the story Jesus was saying that no one knew what the enemy was doing and he wants to assure his disciples and those people around that what the enemy is doing he knows. But while men slept, good men, ministers, and churches; who sometimes are asleep in a spiritual sense. This sleepiness lies in a non-exercise of grace; in a sluggishness in duty; in a contentment in external exercises of religion; in Luke warmness about the cause of Christ. This is also in not being concerned about sins of omission and commission; and in a willingness to continue in such a state from worldly cares; weariness in spiritual duties; a cessation from spiritual exercises; an absenting from spiritual company. Oftentimes from outward ease, peace, and plenty, sometimes from a long expectation of the coming of Christ, and the delay of it. This is very dangerous, as it exposes people to every sin and snare; renders them liable to lose the presence of Christ, their liveliness and comfort; and tends to poverty and leanness of the soul. Many like this are in danger of being surprised with the midnight cry; and the churches are likely to be filled with hypocrites and heretics. The sleepiness which Jesus was talking about means when people of God become weak in their faith and become asleep in spiritual sense.

4. Do weeds affect the good plants growing in the field? Yes, they do. For example good people are also tempted and taken away from their faith and end up becoming children of the enemy (the devil) by doing the same actions that the devil does like disobedience to God. This is done through evil music, love of money, greed for power’ sexual immorality and pride. What is happening in South Sudan is the same as that of the parable. There are people who seem to be good and they are the product of the devil. Due to the fact that weeds affect the wheat, it is true they do, that is why South Sudan is going through this crisis because of bad plants but that is not the end. Weeds affect only in that particular time and when they are removed the wheat will grow more than before and the weeds die forever.

5. What can we learn about God knowing that the sower would not just pull up the plants? This parable shows the growths of the kingdom of heaven in three stages from the original planting, through its growth, to the final harvest. The enemy’s sabotage seems to be effective, but in spite of the competition, the wheat survives and thrives. At the harvest, the final separation takes place as the master destroys the weeds and gathers in the wheat. It is important to recognize that we are influenced both by Jesus, who sows the good seed, and the evil one, who sows weeds. We need to be wary of evil forces. For South Sudanese, the spirit world is alive with all sorts of personal beings with whom we have interacted, and our cultures are based on such interaction. Some of these spirits come from the enemy and have harmful designs upon our lives. When we interpret this parable on the corporate level, we need to remember that the kingdom of heaven is not primarily the church, but is God’s ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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sovereign rule. The parable is not about the immediate triumph of believers and the pure church, but about patient waiting until God’s purpose is worked out and He brings history to its final conclusion. Here what we can learn as South Sudanese is that there will be always be weeds in the crop. Moreover, it is sometimes hard to distinguish between those who are of the kingdom and those who are not. We South Sudanese we must, therefore, not be quick to judge, as we can easily make mistakes and damage the good seed. We must exercise patience and caution until God, the only judge, finally decides to wind up history and make the final distinction between those who are his and those who are not. He alone knows those who are called by his name (2 Timothy 2:19). Thus church leaders need to be very careful in exercising discipline.

6. Can a person change from bad to good and be saved by Jesus? Yes, there is an opportunity for people to change from bad to good if they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and saviour and confess their sins. It is very true that Jesus came for bad people not for good so it make sense that someone who has been a great sinner can be washed from his/her sinful nature and become white as snow. The situation in South Sudan forces many young girls and boys and even the elders to become victims of thieves, murderers, sinful acts, worshipping idols, using violent words to each other and the sort of sins people commit for survival within our country. But I strongly believe that through the church ministry from within South Sudan and other missionaries from other countries South Sudanese people will be transformed from bad to good.

7. What eventually happened to the weeds and the wheat in the parable? In this verse we realize that weeds are the product of the enemy or are bad plants that are planted to destroy the good plants and because of its bad behaviors of destroying the good plants it ended up been burned because it was planted by the enemy who is the devil. Wheat means those who are chosen by God the true believers and the followers of Jesus Christ. At the end of the parable the wheat survives because they were planted for a good purpose and even though the enemy attempts to destroy it, the wheat escape the enemy. In the same way in South Sudan I believe one day God will distinguish between those who are his and those who are not and the story will end the same with the burning of the products of the devil who were planted to destroy, like those who are against peace in South Sudan. We discover that the two types of plants were separated at the end of the harvest, which is the end time for us. The same will happen during the final judgement where God will separate those who are His and those who are not. Just like the weeds those who are not His will be burned.

8. What can we do to be more like wheat and less like weeds in our daily lives? We must accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and saviour, confess our sins then turn away from our wicked ways. It is written in the bible, in the book of 2 chronicles 7:14 “if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been dong, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again”. Here the Bible makes it

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clear that God can only listen to our prayers when we have turned away from our wicked ways of doing wrong things that are not pleasing God. In this sense we must, therefore be very serious of exercising faith in Christ and be ready to do what is good in God’s eye in order for us to enter into God’s kingdom or to survive like wheat in the end of history. We must be aware and acknowledge that one day God, who is the final judge, will bring the history of South Sudan to an end. It is clear from the Bible in the Gospel according to Luke 3:9 “the axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”. In this verse we discover that every tree which does not yield good fruit will be cut down. Here the choice is ours, and our actions will determine whether we are good or bad. To be like wheat we must do what is good to others like the Bible commands us to in order not to be cut down like bad trees which does not bear good fruit. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ let as all pray to God and leave the devils ways which only lead us to hell.

Summing Up

Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer.

Everybody has a choice, and it is the same choice for everybody. God gives everyone the chance to be good, the opportunity to be saved and live in faith. No one that repents and turns from their sins is ever ignored. In the parable the gardener would not pull up any weeds in case the wheat was harmed too. The amazing thing that Jesus does for us is allowing even the weeds to become wheat through his sacrifice. Some of the greatest saints began as sinners. The awful truth is that in the end all the weeds were burned and there is no escape from that. The good news is that through Jesus you can choose to become like wheat and be saved. Wheat that will one day produce a bountiful harvest. The choice is yours.

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Encourage everyone to say this prayer. If it is not practical to have enough sheets to share out teach the prayer by repeating it.

Pray together: Our Loving Father and the Son Jesus Christ thank you for the gift of lives and your protection upon us. Loving Father it is your will that the bad people and the good ones should stay together until you decide to make a final distinction. Lord you created both of us bad and good and put us in this nation of South Sudan, we are praying for your mercy to be upon us and give those who are planted by the devil another opportunity in order for them to change. Lord we pray that you know what is going on in South Sudan concerning bad and good people and we humbly come before you not because we are good but we are here Lord for you mercy. Lord have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on our Leaders and touch their hearts to change and repent and to turn away from their wicked ways to be washed by the blood of your only begotten son Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Lord we know that you are the only source of peace and we strongly believe and trust in you that one day you will bring the sustainable peace to our nation. Lord we pray for the church leaders to give them wisdom and strengthen them in their faith so that they will be able to speaks the truth. We ask this in Jesus name we pray and believe. Amen.

If the need is felt allow others to share prayers on this theme in a time of free prayer.

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New Testament Quote: Luke 3:9 “The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” This simple memory verse states the obvious, those who will not grow in faith will perish.

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

When all the people have left make a note of anything that came up in the group session that may be useful in the life of your Church group or community.

Spend a short time in prayer to give thanks to God and pray for the people that have attended.

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Lent Course Week 3 The Sower By Sarah Samuel Mabith

Please read the parable below:

Matthew Chapter 13 verses 3 to 9

"Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear”.

Setting the Scene In South Sudan people of all ages face difficult choices which affect the survival of others as well as themselves. Tribal and political fighting makes it difficult to do the things that the Christian faith requires. In this way many are held back from the love of God or feel unworthy. Still more are ignorant of the teaching of Christ or only have a weak understanding of them. There is huge temptation in South Sudan not to follow the teachings of Jesus but do what your tribe or your elders expect. This together with ignorance and poor education but barriers between people and God that can be hard to overcome.

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. This story is a parable, so who is the farmer sowing the seed? 2. What can we learn from the seed falling on the path? 3. What can we learn from the seed falling in rocky soil? 4. What in real life are the thorns that choke the seed when they grow? 5. What can we learn about the seeds that fell in good soil? 6. What things can prevent us from hearing God’s word? 7. Do you think that the sower in the parable wanted the plants to grow? 8. How can we show the world that we have been saved by Jesus?

Pray together: Almighty Father, I thank you for your kindness, love and forgiveness, I am praying Almighty for your message to the world, may you bless people who are sowing your seeds, may you bless those who are hearing your message, may you bless those who don’t know you and make them know you Lord. Father, I am praying for forgiveness, to forgive us and make us like good soil, father we are always week, but we are still Father asking for your blessing, to give us understanding and courage. Almighty Father I thank you for listening to all my requests, may you bless us and be with us, in Jesus name I pray. Amen ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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For the Week Ahead

Matthew 13:16 “Blessed are your eyes because you see and your ears because they hear.”

“What kind of seed do you think you are? Consider this question honestly and ask God to show you the truth. Now consider, do you help others grow in faith? What could you do to bring yourself and others to God? The answers to these questions may not be simple or easy but pray about them this week and ask God to help.”

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

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Lent Course Week 3 Leaders Notes The Sower By Sarah Samuel Mabith

Please read the parable below:

Matthew Chapter 13 verses 3 to 9

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers: ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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Allow people to talk and then using the notes for each question draw the discussion to a common answer.

1. This story is a parable, so who is the farmer sowing the seed? The farmer sowing the seed was our Lord Jesus Christ he was teaching his disciples in a spiritual meaning. He called His disciples out to teach them about the parable of seed. In this current situation we Christians of South Sudan need to sow the seed as our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as he did it in his time we need do it the same. We are now the sowers of seed in our country. So the seed means the Word of God and the sower is Jesus Christ. We need to be strong in faith and be fruitful in the Word of God and spread the Gospel in our community.

2. What can we learn from the seed falling on the path? What we learn is those who hear about the Kingdom of God, but do not understand, so this mean that, there are some of us that will be punished at the end of our life. Jesus is telling us the right way, and that is why Jesus said, those who have ears let them hear. What Jesus means is that, onece somebody hears the words of God, the evil comes and take away the word of God from the heart of that person. In South Sudan, as we know we have clans, and each clan have their own gods. So when people turn away from them, and believe in God, the evil spirit moves around them, and if it finds a way or a person without strong faith, then, it is easy to bring that person back again. So what we always do, is encourage ourselves to have a strong faith, so that evil spirits cannot find a way to our heart. So actually, South Sudanese are trying their best to believe in God, it's just a matter of strong faith.

3. What can we learn from the seed falling in rocky soil? What we learn is those who receive the message gladly as soon as the hear it, but it does not sink deep into them. In South Sudan, that is really common, because people have been in war for a long time and that makes some people not to believe in God spiritually. It happened where I was living in my village, we used to tell people words of God, and they really like it and after some time when they find some difficulties facing them they stopped coming to church. Especially when they don’t have food or when their children are sick. So all this simple problem can just take them away, they don’t think that God can help, instead of being patient they go back and follow the magic things, because the words of God is not deep in their heart. That is why Jesus compared such people with the seeds that fall on the rock. Jesus told us this because, Jesus knew that the evil spirits are there and they will disturb other people of God who have no strong faith.

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4. What in real life are the thorns that choke the seed when they grow? The seeds that are choked by thorns stand for those who hear the message, but they worry about this life. For example, people that like to have enough food, enough money, a beautiful house, good clothes and so on, to make their life beautiful, while life with Jesus needs patience. In South Sudan, as we know, we been in war, so this makes some of us to be greedy, it means when we have little food we expect more at the same time, instead of being patient. In South Sudan some people are rich, but because they don’t put God first their richness doesn’t last long, because they believe in God physically but not spiritually. That is why Jesus compared such people with the seeds that fall among the thorns, it is true that, when somebody wants to be rich it makes you to be so busy, but we need to put God first, then everything will come by itself. This is what we do encourage each other as South Sudanese, that we must remember God before everything and our things will always be blessed.

5. What can we learn about the seeds that fell in good soil? What we can learn from the good soil is that all of us we can cultivate and when we do we can expect good crops, enough fruit to let life go on. But if they do not grow well we always feel unhappy. It is the same with the words of God. Jesus explains that, the seeds that fall on good soil are those who hear the words of God and understand it deep in their heart and put it in action all along in their life. When we see in South Sudan, it is really a good example, because South Sudanese are farmers, so we know how we feel happy when we sow our crops in good soil. We really stay ready waiting for harvesting time. All this hope is because of good soil, we must be sure that all the stores are ready. So Jesus compares those people with strong faith with the seeds that fall on good soil and Jesus promises to us in John 14-2, "in my Father's house there are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you, I am going to prepare a place for you".

6. What things can prevent us from hearing God’s word? Actually things that prevent us from hearing words of God are many, and I can mention some of them; 1- Loving money. When we put our heart on loving money so much, that one can take away our mind from hearing words of God, 2- Hunger. When we don’t have food to eat is another problem that cannot allow us to hear words of God, and that is the big problem in South Sudan, hunger is seriously preventing people from hearing words of God. People are always busy looking for food, and there is no time for coming to church. 3- Worshiping others gods. That is a big example in South Sudan, many of us as South Sudanese are devil worshipers, they believe that if they give their heart to Jesus something bad will happen to them because they don’t have hope and faith. 4- Richness. Another thing that prevents us from hearing the words of God is richness, richness makes us to think that there is nothing remain again. Actually that is silly, but some people think like that and they forget that, putting God first is a blessing.

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7. Do you think that the sower in the parable wanted the plants to grow? Yes the sower wanted his seed to grow, that is our Lord Jesus Christ wanted us to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. Our God is a loving God and He can be jealous if we grow in bad spirits. We grow well when we respect His rules and regulations and believe in one God and worship Him alone. For example you cannot be happy when your cultivation field doesn’t produce well or it produces nothing. The way you feel is the same to our God, he can feel pain in his heart if we are not growing in the way he want us to be. How to grow best is when we believe in Him, worship Him alone and no other thing.

8. How can we show the world that we have been saved by Jesus? To show the world that we have been saved by Jesus, this actually, need us as believers to overcome all the problems around us. For us to overcome problems needs a strong faith, love, patience, peace, kindness, and hope. Jesus Christ came to Earth to die for our sins, yes, we do preach that to people, but, we need to be an example, so that people can understand. For us we need to be an example, we must do these things and encourage others when they are doing good things. To help others who are in need, like here in South Sudan, we have some people who are poor, orphaned, widowed and those who have no ability for work. So all these people need help and if we help them in the name of Jesus Christ, then the world will understand that Jesus saved us. By praying for sick people, peace, food, and all the needs that we and others want, and for God to help us making world understand. We really need to be different from non-believers and not just talk like that but show that in action.

Summing Up Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer.

We are the seed that the sower plants and if we are to be fruitful we must grow. We Grow by Eating 1) First, we must eat. What is the food for spiritual life? “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) Daily reading and studying of the Bible are necessary to spiritual growth and life. If we do not eat this food for the soul, we shall not grow, but shall finally starve spiritually. ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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We Grow by Breathing 2) Second, we must breathe spiritually. Prayer is the breath of the soul. Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. “Ask, and it will be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Prayer and its answer is a wonderful theme, and a more wonderful experience. It is the very breath of the soul. Without prayer, the spiritual life will perish sooner than from the lack of air.

We Grow by Exercising 3) Third, we must exercise or engage in Christian work. We are to labour in God’s vineyard. (Matthew 21:28), Mark 16:15 tells us: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Encourage everyone to say this prayer. If it is not practical to have enough sheets to share out teach the prayer by repeating it.

If the need is felt allow others to share prayers on this theme in a time of free prayer.

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For the Week Ahead Before arranging to meet again for next week talk about how people feel they may be able to see the world differently and how this may affect the way they want to live. Read the New Testament quote. Matthew 13:16 “Blessed are your eyes because you see and your ears because they hear.” This phrase sums up the fact that faith is all that God actually asks of us .

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

When all the people have left make a note of anything that came up in the group session that may be useful in the life of your Church group or community. Spend a short time in prayer to give thanks to God and pray for the people that have attended.

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Lent Course Week 4 The Farmer By Rev Peter Akook

Please read the parable below:

Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, fill of poverty.

but those who chase fantasies will have their

Isaiah Chapter 28 verses 24 to 29 When a farmer ploughs for planting, does he plough continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil? 25 When he has levelled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field? 26 His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. 27 Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. 28 Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever. The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it, but one does not use horses to grind grain. 29 All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

Setting the Scene The frontages of South Sudanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rivers and the swamps that they create have proven to be good agricultural land, supporting large and small scale farming. During dry seasons, people grow maize, sugarcane and a variety of vegetables as the water level recedes. In most cases, farmers do not water their farms because the soil is still wet enough to support the growing of crops. But even when it is dry, the rivers have enough water to support irrigation systems. The silt that these rivers have been depositing along their banks from time immemorial makes agriculture in such areas possible even without the use of fertilizers. And of course, food grown without fertilizers has proven to be healthier; so the health of our people is greatly improved. These natural food products attract foreigners as well, becoming a source of foreign currency and thus, a booster to the local and national economy. In this area there is potential for many job opportunities for our people, although we need also to strike a balance when exploiting these resources so that we do not deprive our domestic and wild animals of water. South Sudan experiences sufficient rainfall annually. A lot of ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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evaporation takes place in the Nile and its tributaries, eventually leading to rainfall. That is the water evaporates, forms clouds in the air which then fall to the ground as rain. These rivers are really one of our greatest blessings. Well-fed people look healthy and are able to think and come up with ideas that improve the welfare of the nation. The country’s slogan should be “managing to defeat hunger through an effective food security system”. South Sudanese people have constantly been ravaged by hunger and sometimes died of it. South Sudan’s vast landscape of arable land is littered with the bones of victims of hunger. South Sudanese people are not lazy people but have been held captive for a long time by a series of civil wars and degrading humiliation. Credible research has found that 90% of the land is suitable for agriculture. But the main agricultural land amounts to about 50% of our national territory. Yet although the nation has over 30 million hectares of arable land, only 5% is currently under cultivation. It is the duty of all citizens, the church and their governments at all levels to change this equation to ensure that at least 30 million hectares are fully utilized for the benefit of all. If we do this, there will be no talk of unemployment or hunger in our young nation.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. Should you plough a field every day, what does Isaiah really mean? 2. What is Isaiah describing in verses 25 and 27 of the reading? 3. If you work hard is it right to expect a good result? 4. In verse 28 is Isaiah saying that God is merciful towards people? 5. Do you think some people are lazy and want things they have not worked for? 6. If God’s plan is wonderful how can this be? 7. How can we show the world that doing what is right gives good results? 8. What can we learn about God from what Isaiah writes about here?

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Pray together: Dear loving Father, listen and hear our voice well, Lord pay attention and hear what we say. When a farmer ploughs for planting, does he plough continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil? When he has levelled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field? His God instructs him/her and teaches him/her the right way. Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever. The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it, but one does not use horses to grind grain. All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent now and forever. Amen.

For the Week Ahead 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”.

“In the coming week think about how hard you have worked to achieve something? Whether it was growing crops or working for God, did you do your best? Could you have tried harder? The answers may not be simple or easy but pray about that this week and ask God to help.”

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

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Lent Course Week 4 Leaders Notes The Farmer By Rev Peter Akook

Please read the parable below:

Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, fill of poverty.

but those who chase fantasies will have their

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers: Allow people to talk and then using the notes for each question draw the discussion to a common answer.

1. Should you plough a field every day, what does Isaiah really mean? The Church of God is compared to an arable field, and the processes by which God educates and disciplines his Church are compared to those employed by man in the cultivation of a piece of ground, and the obtaining of a harvest, from it. First of all, the ground must be ploughed, the face of the earth "opened" and the "clods broken." This, however, does not go on forever; it is for a purpose – so that the seed may be sown; and, as soon as the ground is fit for the sowing to take place, the preparation of the soil ceases.

2. What is Isaiah describing in verses 25 and 27 of the reading? Isaiah is describing the careful way that a farmer will plant different crops in the field that he has prepared so carefully. If care is not taken with planting then crops can be wasted and lost. In the same way God is careful in preparing his Church so that nothing is wasted and no one is lost. In the same way as a farmer takes care God’s wonderful council helps people to take care.

3. If you work hard is it right to expect a good result? Peak productivity is less about luck, and more about intention and awareness. Regardless of your current situation, what business you’re in or what your goals are, productivity is crucial ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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to improved results. One of the favourite definitions of productivity: The use of your time, energy, intelligence, resources and opportunities in a manner calculated to move you measurably closer to your goals. In a time of constant movement, constant communication and continual achievement, the long list of to-dos makes us feel like we're never ahead. It seems like our days are controlling us instead of us taking control of our days. But if we work hard it is only right that we should expect things to go well.

4. In verse 28 is Isaiah saying that God is merciful towards people? Most interpreters make it a further answer to those who set the judgments of God at defiance: "Let them know that as the husbandman will not be always ploughing, but will at length sow his seed, so God will not be always threatening, but will at length execute his threatening and bring upon sinners the judgments they have deserved; but in wisdom, and in proportion to their strength, not that they may be ruined, but that they may be reformed and brought to repentance by them.’’ But I think we may give this parable greater latitude in the exposition of it. 1. In general, that God who gives the husbandman this wisdom is, doubtless, himself infinitely wise. It is God that instructs the husbandman to discretion, as his God, v. 26. Husbandmen have need of discretion wherewith to order their affairs, and ought not to undertake that business unless they do in some measure understand it; and they should by observation and experience endeavour to improve themselves in the knowledge of it. Since the king himself is served of the field, the advancing of the art of husbandry is a common service to mankind more than the cultivating of most other arts. The skill of the husbandman is from God, as every good and perfect gift is. This takes off somewhat of the weight and terror of the sentence passed on man for sin, that when God, in execution of it, sent man to till the ground, he taught him how to do it most to his advantage, otherwise, in the greatness of his folly, he might have been for ever tilling the sand of the sea, labouring to no purpose. It is he that gives men capacity for this business, an inclination to it, and a delight in it; and if some were not by Providence cut out for it, and mad to rejoice (as Issachar, that tribe of husbandmen) in their tents, notwithstanding the toil and fatigue of this business, we should soon want the supports of life. If some are more discreet and judicious in managing these or any other affairs than others are, God must be acknowledged in it; and to him husbandmen must seek for direction in their business, for they, above other men, have an immediate dependence upon the divine Providence. As to the other instance of the husbandman’s conduct in threshing his corn, it is said, this also comes forth from the Lord of hosts, v. 29. Even the plainest dictate of sense and reason must be acknowledged to come forth from the Lord of hosts. And, if it is from him that men do things wisely and discreetly, we must acknowledge him to be wise in counsel and excellent in working. God’s working is according to his will; he never acts against his own mind, as men often do, and there is a counsel in his whole will: he is therefore excellent in working, because he is wonderful in counsel. 2. God’s church is his husbandry, 1 Co. 3 If Christ is the true vine, his Father is the husbandman (Jn. 15:1 ), and he is continually by his word and ordinances cultivating it. He is therefore merciful towards people.

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5. Do you think some people are lazy and want things they have not worked for? Yes, lazy people like free things that they have not worked for. But they fail to realize that they are lazy because of their habits, because too often success is a game of habits. In itself, "success" is a relative term and so its "achievement" is fully dependent upon the habits you put into place that move you step by step toward the "end" you define for yourself. To be "successful," it becomes a matter of the routine you put into place for yourself. Whenever you are looking outward, for example, it is very clear the difference between those who create positive daily habits for themselves versus the people who let life's waves dictate their day to day. Remember: You are the surfer. It's up to you to ride the waves based on where it is you want it to go, versus letting them carry you where they will. Here below are eight simple suggestions success people do and that the lazy people imitate them as deem necessary: 1. Successful people plan ahead. Failure to prepare is the act of preparing to fail. Those who are successful at what it is they want to do spend a healthy amount of time planning, thinking, strategizing, and preparing in advance. 2. Successful people do the hard stuff first. Lazy people have a knack for getting done all the things that are not true priorities. But when it comes to the hard stuff, they suddenly find every reason why they could not complete the task. 3. Successful people say no. If you want to go your own way, be prepared to upset some people. Nobody likes being told no. That's why so many people say yes to things. They don't want to make others feel bad, or they don't want to sever current or potential friendships. Successful people are very conscious of how they spend their time. 4. Successful people invest in themselves. Both in terms of time and money, successful people see life through a lens of investment. The majority of people don't invest; they spend. They spend the money they earn. They spend their time with people they don't really like, doing things they don't really enjoy. Successful people are coscious of how they spend their time and invest it toward their goals. 5. Successful people surround themselves with other successful people. Your network is your net worth. The true value of having a network is not access to "things." It's access to habits and thought processes you would otherwise struggle to create on your own. 6. Successful people study their craft. There are a lot of people in the world who believe that life operates the same way as formal education. They go to college, get their diploma, start working, and then just assume Things will be OK. Successful people don't separate their job and their "personal life." Their job is their passion, and their passion is their craft. They study their craft because it is part of who they are. 7. Successful people are accountable for their actions. Lazy people point the finger at others

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and make excuses for why things didn't happen. Successful people own up to their actions and take accountability for their own shortcomings. 8. Successful people believe in themselves. Lazy people want others to believe in them before they believe in themselves. Successful people, on the other hand, believe in themselves against all odds, often times long before anyone else does.

6. If God’s plan is wonderful how can this be? This is the context of the wonderful promises: ‘For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you’ (vv.11–14a). God has good plans for you. They are not plans for your failure or defeat. They are plans to ‘prosper you’. They are not average or mediocre plans. They are good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). But God will not force his plans on you. All God’s plans require your cooperation. If you want his plans to be fulfilled in your life, you need to seek him. He promises that, if you do so, you will be found by him (Jeremiah 29:13–14b). As you spend time with him, you will become like him and he will lead you into the good plans he has for your life.

7. How can we show the world that doing what is right gives good results? We can show the world by giving up our excuses and fixed mind-set. 1. Give Up Our Excuses “It’s not about the cards you’re dealt, but how you play the hand.” Successful people know that they are responsible for their life, no matter their starting point, weaknesses, and past failures. Realizing that you are responsible for what happens next in your life is both frightening and exciting. And when you do, that becomes the only way you can become successful, because excuses limit and prevent us from growing personally and professionally. Own your life; no one else will. 2. Give up the fixed mind-set “The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.” People with a fixed mindset think their intelligence or talents are simply fixed traits, and that talent alone leads to success — without hard work. They’re wrong. Successful people know this. They invest an immense amount of time on a daily basis to develop a growth mindset, acquire new knowledge, learn new skills and change their perception so that it can benefit their lives. Remember, who you are today, it’s not who you have to be tomorrow.

8. What can we learn about God from what Isaiah writes about here? We have learnt about the Parable of the farmer to illustrate God’s wondrous purpose and counsel. He will plough and thresh Jerusalem, but not forever, only to the extent necessary to a harvest (Isaiah 28:23-29). ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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Summing Up Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer.

This session can be hard to understand, Isaiah does not always speak in a simple way. But there is a simple message which is very important to understand. Working hard to do the right things is always rewarded. People who refuse to work cannot expect good results. This is how it is in life, in work and in all things. Jesus can be thought of as a ploughman or husbandman preparing us as a farmer prepares the land and sharing the word of God as farmer plants seeds. But this will not be forever, the day of reaping will come. The time we have should not be wasted but invested in doing good things, working hard to please God and providing for all. Whether we are at prayer on in the fields working if we do little we will gain little and there will not be enough for all. If we work hard the rewards will be great and there can be plenty for everyone.

Encourage everyone to say this prayer. If it is not practical to have enough sheets to share out teach the prayer by repeating it.

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Pray together:

Dear loving Father, listen and hear our voice well, Lord pay attention and hear what we say. When a farmer ploughs for planting, does he plough continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil? When he has levelled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field? His God instructs him/her and teaches him/her the right way. Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever. The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it, but one does not use horses to grind grain. All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent now and forever. Amen.

If the need is felt allow others to share prayers on this theme in a time of free prayer.

New Testament Quote: 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”. This phrase simply reminds us that God will always reward the hard work we do.

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“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

When all the people have left make a note of anything that came up in the group session that may be useful in the life of your Church group or community.

Spend a short time in prayer to give thanks to God and pray for the people that have attended.

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Lent Course Week 5 The Fig Tree By Mirembe Edith

Please read the Parable below:

Luke Chapter 13 verses 6 to 9 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Setting the Scene In South Sudan forgiveness has not been there most especially from the time of our grandparents, we as Sudanese have all along been following what we got in place. In some sectors of South Sudan, is considered as cowardice or fearfulness. In fact in if one forgives for instance cases of death, unwanted girl impregnating, dowry failure, land grabbing, known victims of adultery, and many others, the community instead can take revenge for such an act of forgiveness. This is more so in our area Bahr el Ghazal. In other words the community urges or calls for revenge. Forgiveness in other areas of South Sudan in not accepted, the fact that there is a belief that one she should be punished to serve as an example to others not to do the same. Forgiveness here in South Sudan is considered only after one has paid the loss done. If the person pays, then they are forgiven. Here people do not forgive others easily due to fact that the mistakes are considered as a right. For example one may cause the death of another but the revenge will be killing not the person who killed, but a person of a close or the same value with one killed which is so hurting. Sometimes a after paying, the same mistake may occur again then it reminds the past. Some people may forgive but there after being reminded some may want double pay. People do not forgive others easily due to the trauma or heart wounds which are not cared for in order to heal. So this makes it possible for one to hold the anger of a certain issue for more than ten years. As other incidences occur, the anger ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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continues to pile up in the hearts. Forgiveness is also considered as the one who wronged the other should be the one to first come and apologize but not the one wronged, so you see that if there is no apology from the victim then there is no forgiveness. Some want to be forgiven for things they have done wrong but the majority do not want this. The fact that there is no realization of the mistake done and instead it is considered as a right, so then what is to be forgiven? Others when they hear the words I have forgiven you, they abuse him or her as is a fool or coward asking questions like: if you are strong, why didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you revenge? And continue to abuse even the family plus the whole clan. This may cause them to react instead thereafter. However, if the Church eliminates itself from such acts, does the right things, strengthens their stand in faith, exemplary embrace the truth, embark and commit itself on speaking the truth to the community, does not side with anything unbiblical, but sticks on preaching the word of the truth, the gospel of peace in love and unity, it may manage to overturn all the unnecessary beliefs and acts. The other way is through dialogue, people to speak out their hearts, dig issues from the root cause, admit the faults where necessary, forgive each other and reconcile. In addition to that, most of us South Sudanese have trauma, our hearts are really wounded. This calls for a big need of intervention from all who feel concerned to help in TRAUMA HEALING training, teachings workshops, preaching and counselling to the people of South Sudan to bring sincere forgiveness.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers: 1. If you had a fruit tree that never gave fruit would you keep it? 2. This is a parable, who does the gardener represent in the parable? 3. Is it important that the owner of the fig tree looked for three years for fruit? 4. What does the fruit coming on the tree in the parable really mean? 5. Does the gardener really care for the fig tree, what does that teach us? 6. What do you think will happen to the tree if it does not give fruit? 7. What can we learn about God from this parable? 8. What are the ways that we can bear fruit for God to show our faith?

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Pray together: “Merciful Father you are a God who desires not the death of a sinner. Forgive us all our wrong doing, snatch us from the deep pit where we fall. Give wisdom to our leaders in the Government, give us another chance of peace in our country of South Sudan. Stabilise our economy, break our bony hearts and give us ones of meat that we may hear your Word, believe and do it. Rebuild the walls of South Sudan for your glory, bless the South Sudanese, bless our neighbouring countries, more so be supportive, ideologically, financially, materially and spiritually. Intervene in our cultural beliefs and establish the truth in the hearts of believers and the church at large. Give us rain for two seasons and the strength that we may fight hunger, poverty and suffering. Teach us your ways to fear and avoid evil. Let your Holy Spirit take control over South Sudan. I ask all this in Jesus mighty name. Amen” For the Week Ahead New Testament Quote – Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

“In the coming week think about forgiveness. How does forgiveness work in South Sudan? Is this the way God wants it? Can things change? Pray about that this week.”

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

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Lent Course Week 5 Leaders Notes The Fig Tree By Mirembe Edith

Please read the Parable below:

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Allow people to talk and then using the notes for each question draw the discussion to a common answer.

1. If you had a fruit tree that never bear gave fruit would you keep it? No. If I have such a tree, I can preserve it and at the same time while finding out what the problem is, why is it not bearing fruit? Might it be the soil? Not enough water? Or the nutrients are the problem? I liken this tree to a child. The same way the person may produce a child, and that child due to lack of proper care, teaching, training, disciplining, may develop bad characters and yet one cannot kill his own child because of bad manners but struggles to punish, advise and if all fail, may even imprison for a while but the main reason of doing all these is to make sure that child changes and become a good person so that he or she can benefit the parents in future. Some, when their children do abominable acts like in some parts of South Sudan, they decide to chase them away from home. When those children, come back and ask for forgiveness, they can do some rituals and bring or accept them back in the family. If apparent who is a human being can have such a heart of forgiveness to the son, then how much more our God the loveliest Father can do to His people if they repent and turn away from their sins? It is more.

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2. This is a parable, who does the gardener represent in the parable? The gardener in this parable represents Jesus the gracious Lord who pleaded for a little more time to take care of the trees, water and fertilize them. Here we see Jesus Christ respond to the vineyard owner in patience, and God in His mercy grants another year of life of the tree. In other words Jesus the compassionate gardener feeds His people and gives them living water. Whoever repents receives life but whoever does not perishes.

3. Is it important that the owner of the fig tree looked for three years for the fruit? Yes is very important in a way that for instance in the parable if the owner did not take time looking for the fruit, would have taken a quick decision cutting the tree down immediately and this would have caused him no chance to hear the opinion from the gardener. Yet after the gardener asked for other one more chance and continue taking care, the tree may produce even more than expected. Here in South Sudan, the Gospel has been preached, of peace, forgiveness, and healing but in most cases you find us continuously doing contrary to the Gospel for more than ten years but Jesus Christ our Lord has not given up from knocking at the doors of our hearts up to now he is still knocking, waiting for any who are willing to open and then He enters. So in this situation, if it was not important that the owner of the fig tree for long, then there would be no people in some parts of South Sudan today but due to the mercy of our Gracious God we are still alive.

4. What does the fruit coming on the tree in the parable really mean? A tree may bear either good or bad fruit according to its type and health. If the tree is bad or poor, it will bear bad fruit and if the tree is healthy or good, it will bear good fruit. The tree itself has two symbolic meanings, the nation of Israel and the individual. This means that a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character may determine which type of person he or she is. If the person is evil, it will be shown by the bad character but if the person is good then it will be shown in the good characters. What it means with the fruit coming on the tree in the parable is like a sinner, unbeliever, or unrepentant is evil but when the person repents and turns away from his or her sins it means that the fruits have begun coming on the tree. An example from South Sudan, as we have been having tribal, communal, sector, and clinical wars, revenge and unforgiving, we can realize that we have gone astray and we repent, cry to our God, turn away from all these, then God who is merciful will forgive us and we shall begin to do good things.

5. Does the gardener really care for the fig tree, what does that teach us? Yes, we see Jesus Christ as the gardener compassionately intercedes for more time to water and fertilize the fruitless tree, like for three years when John the Baptist and Jesus Himself preached the gospel to the nation of Israel for three years, though they did not repent , this was a way that Jesus care is shown. In addition to that, Jesus as a gardener, His care also manifests itself through His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. It is Jesus who accepted to come to this world by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary the ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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mother, due to His concern and care. From the time of childhood to His ministry time His growth was persecuted by the king, but grew with God’s directions to the parents. He went to the wilderness to receive power through fasting where He was tempted but overcame due to the caring mission and vision that He had for His people. In His ministry, He appointed the leaders who carried on with the word after His ascension to Heaven, He preached, taught, healed the sick, raised the dead, prayed for His people’s future spiritual strength, loved them without discrimination, fed the hungry, set the bound from bondage of demons or evil spirits, blindness, barrenness, and all others, which is all care. Before He died, in all the tribulations He went through he did not complain but forgave because He cares, and agreed to die like a sheep for the sake of His people. After His resurrection and ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit as He had promised when still with them. So all in all, Jesus Christ as a Gardener, really cares even beyond what we know, see, and hear.

6. What do you think will happen to the fig tree if it does not give fruit? For the fruitless fig tree, is of no use but Jesus Christ as a gardener, gives one more chance by caring for it. Yet if there are no fruit, then the tree will be cut down. In the same way He is giving every one another a chance to change and bear fruit by accepting Jesus as their personal saviour. If we take an example of the floods during Noah’s time, people rebelled and refused to enter into the boat, and we see God as the owner of the garden deciding to cut down the lives of all the disobedient. The same thing we find in Sodom and Gomorrah the nation that turned against God, being cut off. But this was the time before the coming Jesus the gardener. Now God had pity on His creation that He really does not desire the death of a sinner, otherwise, most of the rebellious nations which even South Sudan would have been part of them due to the frequent conflicts and wars and disobedience would have been cut off.

7. What can we learn about God from this parable? We learn about God that He is for sure a merciful God, He grants another year of life to the tree. In the same way God grants us another day, another hour, another breath. We learn that borrowed time is not permanent; God’s patience has a limit. As the vine yard owner in the parable He who rightly expects them to see fruit on His tree and who justly decides to destroy it when He finds none. God freely pardons sin. We also learn that a fruitless tree really disappoints God and is so much concerned with them in order to see them bear fruit. We learn that God takes long to anger because if it was a human being three years are many. We learn that, God does not consider the time that one disobeys as long as the gardener is in control. By God telling the Gardener first, we learn that in order to a acquire life from Him, we have to receive it through Jesus Christ.

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8. What are the ways that we can bear fruit for God to show our faith? Some of the ways that we can bear fruit for God is through repentance of our sins. When we repent our sins, we bear a fruit of repentance. We need to seek God all the time, praise, adhere, love, worship, obey, and honour Him, in this way we bear fruits. We need to preach and teach the word of God to the people, baptize them and then make them His disciples just as the great commission in Matthew 28: 19-20, Matthew 10:7. Also rejoice when we see some of the fruits of the Holy Spirit as in Galatians 5:22-23. If the Holy Spirit is within us, then we may bear love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, and other good fruits.

Summing Up Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer.

The gardener in this week’s reading did not have to protect the tree. He did so out of love. Make no mistake this was not weakness or foolishness. The Fig tree had to produce fruit. If it did not then it would be cut down. What good is a Fig tree that will not produce fruit? None. In the same way we can understand this story in simple terms, the fruit is repentance, our willingness to say sorry for all we have done wrong. If we cannot do this how can God forgive us and save us? God can’t. Jesus pleads with God for us. Jesus is like the gardener in the story, he gains a little more time for us so that we can hear his words and follow his way to repent and be saved. Anyone can accept the way of Jesus and save themselves. But just like the story this God will not wait forever. That is why the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). God will forgive your sins and make you new, there is no weakness in that and God is never foolish. ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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Pray together:

Encourage everyone to say this prayer. If it is not practical to have enough sheets to share out teach the prayer by repeating it.

“Merciful Father you are a God who desires not the death of a sinner. Forgive us all our wrong doing, snatch us from the deep pit where we fall. Give wisdom to our leaders in the Government, give us another chance of peace in our country of South Sudan. Stabilise our economy, break our bony hearts and give us ones of meat that we may hear your Word, believe and do it. Rebuild the walls of South Sudan for your glory, bless the South Sudanese, bless our neighbouring countries, more so be supportive, ideologically, financially, materially and spiritually. Intervene in our cultural beliefs and establish the truth in the hearts of believers and the church at large. Give us rain for two seasons and the strength that we may fight hunger, poverty and suffering. Teach us your ways to fear and avoid evil. Let your Holy Spirit take control over South Sudan. I ask all this in Jesus mighty name. Amen”

If the need is felt allow others to share prayers on this theme in a time of free prayer.

For the Week Ahead New Testament Quote – Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. This simple memory verse sums up the subject that we have a choice to be good or bad.

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“In the coming week think about forgiveness. How does forgiveness work in South Sudan? Is this the way God wants it? Can things change? Pray about that this week.”

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

When all the people have left make a note of anything that came up in the group session that may be useful in the life of your Church group or community.

Spend a short time in prayer to give thanks to God and pray for the people that have attended.

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Lent Course Week 6 Storing in Barns By Rt Rev Joseph Mamer

Please read the parable below:

Luke Chapter 12 Verses 16 to 21

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Setting the Scene South Sudan returned to another grievous national conflict in December2013. It has currently caused an atrocious and severe humanitarian and security situation as well as hunger to citizens both within and outside the country. There is a massive exodus of South Sudanese into neighbouring countries camped in refugee camps in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and even Sudan. Hundreds of thousands have fled outside South Sudan out of fear of death as a result of the intensity of the conflict and high insecurity. Many citizens have lost trust and confidence in their government and leadership. In particular the continued conflict and atrocities being committed have caused hatred among citizens and leaders badly enough on tribal lines. Starvation as a result of hunger is everywhere in South Sudan but particularly in Unity State and Bahr el Ghazal state. Many citizens are also dying at various refugee camps outside South Sudan. Both consumable and non consumable goods are extremely expensive making life extremely hard to live. Most faithful Christians find it hard to live by their faith simply because the current conflict has made living conditions harder for all citizens in term of instability, insecurity, humanitarian need and resulting inaccessibility to basic social services. This has considerably affected not only mere citizens, but leaders, rich, poor and armed groups. Corruption and dishonesty is almost everywhere, some Christians have been involved in such cultural practices compromising their faith for survival due to rampant pressure from poorly structured institutions within South Sudan. Bribery to receive rightful ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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services has been normalized for survival, service disparity or unequal access to services and social injustices. In June 2017 one South Sudanese allegedly killed a pastor in Juba and the alleged culprit has been imprisoned, investigations were carried out by police and the alleged perpetrator said that the deceased used to disturb people every day with church music. This shocked many people not only in the church even the government reacted angrily on this alarming killing. To kill a pastor in the holy altar inside the church, this is a living example of people being persecuted because of their faith in Christ Jesus. What shocked me is that, South Sudanese were known for being honest, being frank, dishonesty was treated as a highly dreadful act in the society. Those found committing such actions were disintegrated and experienced social disconnections and punishment. But immediately after the independence of South Sudan, characters, norms and values started to vanish in every ethnic community and this has effects on Christians as well. But still there are those who remain faithful and kept their faith as the Bible says â&#x20AC;&#x153;praise and worship the Lord in season and out of seasonâ&#x20AC;?.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. Is it better to have everything you want or everything you need? 2. Was the man in the parable greedy to store all his grain? 3. What else could he have done with all the extra grain that he had? 4. Are there people in South Sudan who are like this, it that good? 5. What will happen to all the things that you own when you die? 6. How can we share the blessings that God gives us? 7. What can we learn about what God expects of us from this parable? 8. How can we live to be a blessing for other people every day?

ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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Pray together: Heavenly father while we humans desire to gather wealth on this earth, remind us that we shall all one day leave this wealth one by one. All earthly riches will be left behind, I pray and honour you and know you now so that when we die we shall have riches in heaven which you have prepared for those who love you and trust you, not the riches here on earth. Amen!

For the Week Ahead

Psalm 104 - 13 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate - bringing forth food from the earth.

“In the coming week think about the way that you live. Do the things you do every day honour God? Are you living by the faith that Jesus taught us? What could you do to live by faith? Pray about that this week and ask God to help.”

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

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Lent Course Week 6 Leaders Notes Storing in Barns By Rt Rev Joseph Mamer

Please read the parable below:

Luke Chapter 12 Verses 16 to 21

Setting the Scene South Sudan returned to another grievous national conflict in December2013 when ruling party Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM/A) politically disagreed and things led to armed violence. This conflict resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands mostly soldiers, children, women and elderly people. It has currently caused an atrocious and severe humanitarian and security situation as well as hunger to citizens both within and outside the country. There is a massive exodus of South Sudanese into neighbouring countries camped in refugee camps in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and even Sudan. Hundreds of thousands have fled outside South Sudan out of fear of death as a result of the intensity of the conflict and high insecurity. Many citizens have lost trust and confidence in their government and leadership. In particular the continued conflict and atrocities being committed have caused hatred among citizens and leaders badly enough on tribal lines. Starvation as a result of hunger is everywhere in South Sudan but particularly in Unity State and Bahr el Ghazal state. Many citizens are also dying at various refugee camps outside South Sudan. Both consumable and non consumable goods are extremely expensive making life extremely hard to live.

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Most faithful Christians find it hard to live by their faith simply because the current conflict has made living conditions harder for all citizens in term of instability, insecurity, humanitarian need and resulting inaccessibility to basic social services. This has considerably affected not only mere citizens, but leaders, rich, poor and armed groups. Corruption and dishonesty is almost everywhere, some Christians have been involved in such cultural practices compromising their faith for survival due to rampant pressure from poorly structured institutions within South Sudan. Bribery to receive rightful services has been normalized for survival, service disparity or unequal access to services and social injustices. In June 2017 one South Sudanese allegedly killed a pastor in Juba and the alleged culprit has been imprisoned, investigations were carried out by police and the alleged perpetrator said that the deceased used to disturb people every day with church music. This shocked many people not only in the church even the government reacted angrily on this alarming killing. To kill a pastor in the holy altar inside the church, this is a living example of people being persecuted because of their faith in Christ Jesus. What shocked me is that, South Sudanese were known for being honest, being frank, dishonesty was treated as a highly dreadful act in the society. Those found committing such actions were disintegrated and experienced social disconnections and punishment. But immediately after the independence of South Sudan, characters, norms and values started to vanish in every ethnic community and this has effects on Christians as well. But still there are those who remain faithful and kept their faith as the Bible says “praise and worship the Lord in season and out of season”. In Exodus 16:1 God provided the historical children of God the Israelites with Manna and Quail in the wilderness.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers: Allow people to talk and then using the notes for each question draw the discussion to a common answer.

1. Is it better to have everything you want or everything you need? This has two dimensions, one; to have everything one needs is fine so long it pleases God by honouring Him. Secondly, as God sees our inmost and desires or motives, He doesn’t allow everything we really want in our lives because he sees it may distance our hearts from Him or be destructive. In 1 Timothy 6:6-9 says “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be contented with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” Hence not all that we desire to have should be granted by God, but God only releases with limitedness with his unlimited knowledge and wisdom.

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Also as a result of the fallen of humanity, human needs and wants are always limitless due to greediness and desire caused by sinful world, having what you needs is fine but Christians must always acknowledge and honour God who is the owner of all that we have as managers and stewards of his creation. In the Book of proverb has also stated the important of honouring God. (Proverb 3:9–10). The point is clear; if we honour God with what He has given us, He will bless with more so that we can honour Him with more.

2. Was the man in the parable greedy to store all his grain? Yes, this man was really greedy and selfish; he had more than enough food but could not share it with other disadvantaged people. This is not a surprise especially to South Sudanese people it also happens here in South Sudan, there are many rich Army Commanders, politicians and business people who have accumulated wealth immediately after the independence of South Sudan, but they cannot afford to share with the neediest citizens. There are many citizens dying every day in Protection of Civilians camps in Unity State, former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, former Bahr el Ghazal State, Greater Equartoria but these richest South Sudanese have never shared with them. Starvation is too high in Protection of Civilians (PoCs) camps yet there are rich citizens. It its only the World Food Programme (WFP) that supports them with food and other commodities for human consumption. What happened to the rich man has happened to rich South Sudanese, when South Sudan became an independent nation, those who have access to public funds and properties could get richer and richer every day, the poor people were getting poorer and poorer too. The gap between the rich and the poor was widening very fast. As it says in Luke 12: 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God”. As said earlier most of these wealthy are not longer there anymore, those lived in prestigious life have changed, I always say that the current violent conflict in South Sudan might be another call for repentance. “God wanted to discipline and humble South Sudanese people more” Deut 8:2-6 “ Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your hearts, whether or not you would keep his commands”. Most of South Sudan completely forgot God, how He also stood with South Sudan during 21 or more years of civil wars with Sudan. There is an examination of which we have all failed to pass and God wanted South Sudanese to redo this examination so that they pass it. What I mean here is that all South Sudanese need to repent and accept their sins which is a turning point and I believe if we do that God will forgive our sins and our situation will change.

3. What else could he have done with all the extra grain that he had? Expanding his barns is not really a problem since his barns were completely filled, but the main and serious thing here is that he didn’t thank God for giving wealth and provision for all his needs. Secondly, he could have shared his wealth with the poor Mk 10:17 but instead he was so greedy and covetous “And I will say to myself; you have plenty of grains laid up for many years, take life easy; eat and drink and be merry” the fool man did not even honour God. When God blesses us with things we also need to bless other people with them which is biblical and an important principle of Christian faith

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4. Are there people in South Sudan who are like this, it that good? As I mentioned above that there are still rich South Sudanese whose wealth is ruined and some have survived the catastrophy but even those who still have wealth and still their hearts are hard like stone. WFP and other humanitarian agencies have tried to deliver food assistance (General Food Distribution) especially to malnourished children, mothers and pregnant mothers. This assistance is distributed to poor people through community traditional leaders, but all these efforts are sometimes hijacked by rich people by corrupting through manipulating and intimidated (community leaders) the processes for their own interests. 2 Cor 8:1-9 the example of Macedonian Christians 1 Tim 6:17-19 “ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life”. Whether Christians or non Christian it’s good to share and give so that not only to receive the blessings of God but to have true and real and meaning life that pleases God. All human beings are interdependent, inter-reliant; we all depend on one another in terms of spiritual and physical needs or support so that we have a full and meaningful life. No man/women are created in isolation. 2 Cor 9-67 “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give…

5. What will happen to all the things that you own when you die? All the things will remain with someone else who has not toiled for them and all his labour will be in vain. And terribly missed life in heaven because his heart and mind were controlled by wealth and the world not been able to honour and acknowledge God in his wealth he had possessed. In Luke 12:13 Jesus warns this person, and all within earshot, that our lives are not to be about gathering wealth. Life is so much more than the “abundance of possessions.” Earthly wealth are useless when we die we leave them without adding anything to our salvation. Sadly enough, this person will definitely miss two things, one he will miss all his wealth that left behind which he will never neither see or not enjoy again, and secondly he will also miss salvation in heaven.

6. How can we share the blessings that God gives us? 1 Tim 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life”. Whether Christians or non Christian it’s good to share and give so that we not only to receive the blessings of God but have a true and real and meaning life that pleases God. All human beings are interdependent, inter-reliant; we all depend on one another in term of needs, spiritual and physical support so that we have a full and meaningful life. No man/women are created in isolation. 2 Cor 9-6-7 “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give. Mt 16:19-31 The parable of rich man and Lazarus, we will all reap what we have sowed, hence to have salvation we must put first in whatever we do and honour him in all we do.

7. What can we learn about what God expects of us from this parable? If God has blessed you with material wealth “set not your heart on it” and “be rich toward God.” The significant lesson we can learn from this is to put our hearts in God always and acknowledge him all the time, even when we have material wealth here on earth. It also teaches us to not only honour God in everything we have but that all wealth we wrongly gathered will be left behind when we die. As Christians, this passage teaches us that material wealth is nothing and does not add anything to our salvation. Hence we must all keep our wealth in heaven where it is not eaten by anything. Jesus vividly said in Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give them to the poor, provide purses for yourselves that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” The Bible says “So, if God has blessed you with material wealth “set not your heart on it” and “be rich toward God.” We must always pray to God to give us riches in heaven not on this earth only".

8. How can we live to be a blessing for other people every day? Giving community of God We must all share God’s blessings with other people of God through giving and support to God’s mission. The bible says 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant not to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share...” I believe if we following in doing this command I think we be a blessing to other people every day. Again the bible says Proverbs 14:21 “Its sin to despise one’s neighbour, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy” proverbs 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done” Holy Life Secondly, we must live a holy life, be role model to others so that those whose faith is weak can also be encouraged spiritually. Eph 4:22-24 says “ You were taught , with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds’ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” Love We must also be a “loving Community” or Christians so that those who long for love are loved, I know there are those who might never love anyone in the world but this is a commandment from God who is the creator of all things including you and me. We must try and love one another, if someone committed any mistake seek for forgiveness and reconciliation. I think this is one of the items that South Sudan needs at the movement, current conflicts have taken tribal lines which has claimed the lives of thousands of people, but the only way forward is to forget all that has happened and forge new ways of peace and reconciliation. This cannot ©Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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happen unless we love one another by showing this love to them in practice. 1John 4:9-21 says “this is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: Not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Summing Up Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer.

The rich fool in the parable thought that he could live in comfort by being greedy. Many people all over the world do the same. The way of faith shows another way to live and this is what Jesus taught us. Being rich is not a sin, if you work hard, treat people fairly and remain honest you will prosper and God will bless you. Do not be afraid to work hard for good results. It is what you do with your riches that matters and how you honour God with the life you lead. If riches themselves become your master where is God in your life? Jesus tells us how we can live and please God. By living in the faith Jesus brings us we can celebrate the riches that God gives and honour him by sharing what we have in daily life. In this way people can live in peace and harmony, through living as Christians.

Encourage everyone to say this prayer. If it is not practical to have enough sheets to share out teach the prayer by repeating it.

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Pray together:

Heavenly father while we humans desire to gather wealth on this earth, remind us that we shall all one day leave this wealth one by one. All earthly riches will be left behind, I pray and honour you and know you now so that when we die we shall have riches in heaven which you have prepared for those who love you and trust you, not the riches here on earth. Amen!

If the need is felt allow others to share prayers on this theme in a time of free prayer.

Psalm 104 - 13 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate - bringing forth food from the earth. This simple memory verse sums up the subject that God makes life good for us.

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“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen.”

When all the people have left make a note of anything that came up in the group session that may be useful in the life of your Church group or community.

Spend a short time in prayer to give thanks to God and pray for the people that have attended.

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Connect With us It has been our pleasure to provide this Lent Study Course. We have done this for free because we have been able to and also we really want to share the Good News of Jesus with as many people as possible. We hope that it has helped you to grow in faith and knowledge. As an Anglican internal province in South Sudan we have many practical needs that require help. So we would very much like you to consider making a donation or partnering with us in our work. Practical help can be just as valuable as money. Please contact us to receive our quarterly magazine, called Renewal, we would very much like to share our news with you. Lots of useful information and contact details can be seen on our website:

www.nbg.southsudan.anglican.org Here is our address: ECSS Internal Province of Northern Bahr el Ghazal Hai Mozephin, Opposite Wau Teaching Hospital C/O ECS Provincial Office P.O. Box 110 Juba South Sudan Africa

Tel: +211912239089/+21195958118

Email: nbg_archbishop@southsudan.anglican.org

ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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Northern Bahr el Ghazal Province Dioceses

The Bishops of Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province

ÂŠNorthern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province, ECSS

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