Wycliffe Malaysia organised a 3-day retreat from 31 October to 2 November in Kampar, at which 13 people attended. What was special about this retreat was that the activities and sessions were done using oral methods of engagement. Participants were encouraged to exercise their creativity and imagination as they reflected on Scripture, both individually and in community.
The first session was an oral performance of Ecclesiastes 1-2. After sharing their thoughts and responses on the passage, the participants spent some time in personal quiet meditation on its meaning. They then expressed their reflections through art and craft. It was marvelous to see how God spoke to each participant personally, and how they conveyed their thoughts and emotions creatively through their handiwork.
The second session on the following morning was a meditation of Psalm 100. Each verse was represented by a “station” in the meeting room, where each station had images to represent the words in the verses. As the participants visited each station, the facilitator led them in verbalising the verses accompanied by hand actions. It helped the participants to appreciate the psalm afresh as an embodied experience.
In the final session of the retreat, the participants were divided into two groups and given instructions to design a short worship service using oral methods. They were encouraged to use song, drama, stories, discussion, and art as part of their service. The participants took their task seriously and spent the better part of the second day in earnest preparation.
Each group led the other in a short 30-minute worship service on the third and last day. Surprisingly – or maybe not – both worship services included Psalms 100! One group crafted a display model of two houses as a visual aid in the telling of the parable of the wise and foolish man (Matthew 7:24-27), while the second group shared the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) through a short skit. As an application lesson of the skit, they creatively engaged the congregation by linking everyone with a piece of string. This illustrates God’s unconditional love, where the string is not held too tightly that it forbids the son from leaving, but not too loosely which allows the welcoming back the prodigal son after his repentance.
Using a visual aid for the service.
The participants with pictures of what they have learnt.
The goal of the retreat was to share orality as a way to spend time in God’s Word and in His presence – both individually and as a group. We hope that the participants left with new and creative ways to engage Scripture and draw near to God and also spark fresh ideas for their respective ministries.