Bible Study for 'Making Retirement Good for All God’s Servants’

Delia Halverson
 

Purpose:
To help us recognize acts of justice needed on behalf of brothers and sisters retiring from ministry in the central conferences.

Scripture: Micah 6:8

Possible Plan:
1. Ask several people to share any plans they have for their retirement.

2. Ask two people to read the interviews with the Rev. Irene Kabete and the Rev. Manuel António Moniz.

3. Ask participants to talk in pairs about the difference in retirement possibilities for the two pastors from central conferences and for those in your group. Share some of the discussion with the group.

4. Read the paragraphs about Liberia. Summarize the actions of the 2000 and 2004 General Conferences and the work of the Committee on the Central Conference Pensions Initiative.

Brief worship:
Read Micah 6:8 and reflect on how this scripture applies to our responsibility.

Say: Listen to the words of this hymn we are about to sing. Can we enjoy our own plans for retirement when our sisters and brothers who are working for Christ in the central conferences face different circumstances?

Sing or read together “This Is My Song” (No. 437, The United Methodist Hymnal).

Pray that we will hear God’s voice in this situation and respond.

--Delia Halverson is a Christian education consultant and author from Woodstock, Ga.