Wau Diocese Lent Course 2017 by Wau Diocese

A Lent study course for 2013

Noun 1. A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided. 2. Wisdom gained through experience. 3. Something that serves as warning or encouragement. 4. A section of the Bible read as part of divine worship

Synonyms: session, seminar, class, tutorial, lecture, scripture

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela

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A Forward by the Rt 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 aspects of education and it draws on Gospel Parables to allow people to learn together and grow. 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 should look for education everywhere to see how it may improve society and lives especially for us in South Sudan. Education is a personal thing that we all need and need also to ensure that it is grown. Jesus brought this to us in his teachings and the Bible shows us too how important this is. Without education we are doomed to make the same mistakes and never progress. 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 Wau during lent, share your insights with us. In this way we can all reach out in fellowship and perhaps learn more from each other. It’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 – Your Light 11

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 2 – Mustard Seed 19

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 3 – Wise and Foolish 29

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 4 – The Sower 37

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 5 – Your Talents 49

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Week 6 – Great Banquet 59

Worksheet

Leaders Notes

Connect with Wau Diocese

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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. ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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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 that’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 © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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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. A forum has been created on the internet that anyone can join and exchange in fellowship. We hope that many people will look at these messages, be encouraged and even learn something. Each session includes a short time to think of what to send. The forum for Reconcile can be found using this link. http://bitly.com/reconcile_lent_course Simply type it in to any web browser and sign up. ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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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 in Wau 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 God’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.

ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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The Lent Course Authors: Rev Samuel Mabith

Week 1 - Your Light

Rev Samuel is the current Wau Diocese Secretary a role that sees him making the very most of the education he has. Rev Samuel is passionate about education for women and is seeing to attend Bishop Barum University College to further his own education as soon as he can.

Rev John Bol

Week 2- Mustard Seed

Rev John is the Communications Officer for Wau Diocese. His role sees him involved in many projects that require a strong education. He is integral in creating the Wau Diocese newsletter called Renewal by gathering reports and passing them on.

Rev Paul Lueth

Week 3 – Wise and Foolish

Rev Paul’s studies led him and his wife to engage with a new life changed for ever by God. He is the first ever captain in the African Church Army. As the Wau Diocese Evangelism Coordinator he uses his education to fight for peace and preach about Jesus.

Rev Peter Akook

Week 4- The Sower and Week 5 -Your Talents

Rev Peter is the acting Principal of St John’s College of Theology and Development, located in Wau. Peter is passionate about education and faith, seeks to expand the college is helping to provide a base for adult education.

Rev Philip Ajing

Week 6 – The Banquet

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 Your Light By Rev Samuel Mabith

Please read the parable below:

Mark Chapter 4 Verses 21 to 25

21 He also said to them, "A lamp a isnʼt brought to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Isnʼt it to be placed on a lamp stand? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be revealed, and nothing concealed except to be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, he had better listen!" 24 And he said to them, "Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him”.

Setting the Scene In South Sudan it can be very hard to get an education. Fighting interrupts schooling and destroys school buildings. Few young adults in South Sudan have attended school after primary school. Many girls leave school to get married because their family need the dowry that comes with a wedding. This means that there are many people in South Sudan who are not well educated and this affects every part of society, restricting development and growth.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

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1. Jesus says that no one hides a lamp where it's light cannot shine. Is the same true of education? 2. Is it better to be educated or not educated, what are the advantages? 3. In South Sudan many people are not educated as much as they could be, would South Sudan be better with more education? 4. Jesus says that you had better listen because the measure you use is the measure you will receive, what does he mean by this? 5. How does this relate to education and the future of South Sudan? 6. Thinking of verse 25 is education important for everyone? 7. What things in South Sudan make it hard to get education? Are particular people excluded? Could people be encouraged? 8. As Christians what can we do to share the light of education and ensure it is not hidden from sight?

Pray together: Father, thank you for being with us. I believe in you for victory in every situation we face here in South Sudan. Thank you for wisdom and protection in this world we leave in. I pray you will open our eyes to see your glory and your kingdom. Let us all be educated people to rule well our nation. Let your light shine upon us Father of Glory, let our country be like the promised land, a country which flows with milk and honey. Let this new generation reach your promised land and let us be your children, your chosen people. Let the war in South Sudan be stopped and also all over the world. We are tired of gunshots, the shedding of blood and running every day to the bush, it has become too much Father of Glory. Let us be the people who have reason, who know the rights for others and care for other’s lives. I pray this in name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen! © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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For the Week Ahead

John 13:13 “You call me ʻTeacherʼ and ʻLord,ʼ and do so correctly, a for that is what I am.”

“In the coming week think about education. What could you do to improve your own education, has something you have done prevented someone else getting education? 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 Your Light By Rev Samuel Mabith

Please read the parable below:

Mark Chapter 4 Verses 21 to 25

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.

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1. Jesus says that no one hides a lamp where it's light cannot shine. Is the same true of education? Yes it is very true that you cannot light the lamp or put it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. (MTTH 5: 14-15) meaning that if you know something you need to show to others what you know. Don’t high yourself give out what you have.

2. Is it better to be educated or not educated, what are the advantages? It is better to be educated than staying ignorant without being an educated person. If you are not an educated person you are like a blind person who cannot see and he/she needs to be taken to the operation to be able to see. The Advantages are: • An educated person has vision • An educated person knows what is bad and what is good • An educated person can help others in decision making • An educated person can do things in advance.

3. In South Sudan many people are not educated as much as they could be, would South Sudan be better with more education? Yes of course! 90% are not educated. There is a real need to bring education help to bring the nation up to the standard of other African countries. Better education would allow more people to work in business and give more confidence to people everywhere.

4. Jesus says that you had better listen because the measure you use is the measure you will receive, what does he mean by this? It means that the more you work hard the more you receive and survive. Educated people are able to learn and grow for themselves. In all cases the real difference between a wise and foolish person is that a wise person listens to others and learns. A person who cannot learn because they are not educated will not be able to do this and they are left behind.

5. How does this relate to education and the future of South Sudan? It is related to Education in that education brings light to world and is the key of life. It is also related to South Sudan in that if there is not enough educated people in the country the place can be looking dark, the confusion increasing and the fighting will never stop.

6. Thinking of verse 25 is education important for everyone? Education is very important because people can mature in mind, they will understand each other and they will have reasoning capacity and transform themselves psychologically. Nobody should be left behind men and women, young and old all benefit from education.

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7. What things in South Sudan make it hard to get education? Are particular people excluded? Could people be encouraged? The things that make education harder to get are war, poverty, and tribalism. These three things all need to be tackled to make it easier to get education, so that there are more educated people in South Sudan. No one is excluded from education in South Sudan they can be encouraged by the word God to have hope in Him and when some people have got education they can also encourage others to be like them. Everyone should feel encouraged.

8. As Christians what can we do to share the light of education and ensure it is not hidden from sight? As Christians we need to preach out the gospel to people who do not see the light of God. They need to be taught spiritually, mentally and indeed physically. What good is a bible if someone else must read it to you? Education takes many forms and has many benefits all different for different people but the truth is that education makes life better. As Christians we have a duty to ensure everyone has the chance to get the best education they can have.

Summing Up Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer. When Jesus says "Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away." (Luke 8:18) He is referring to revelation and knowledge. Those who listen and therefore have understanding, will be given more knowledge. Those who do not have understanding, because they do not listen well, even what they seem to have (in terms of understanding) will be taken away. You can see this anywhere. The only real difference between the wise and foolish is that a smart person listens and learns, whereas a foolish person does not. Jesus was a teacher and he definitely wanted us to learn from him. To achieve this education is not just helpful it’s necessary. We should take every opportunity to learn and be educated to make life better for ourselves and for everyone around us.

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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:

Father, thank you for being with us. I believe you for victory in every situation we face here in South Sudan. Thank you for wisdom and protection on this world we leave in. I pray that to open our eyes to see your glory and your kingdom. Let us all be educated people to rule well our nation. Let your light shine upon us Father of Glory, let our country be like the promise land a country which pillow milk and honey. Let this new generation reach your promise land and let us be children, your chosen people. Let the war in South Sudan be stop and all over the world, we tried of gunshot, the shedding blood and running every day to the bush it come too much Father of Glory. Let us be the people who have reasonable, who knows the right for others care for other’s lives. I pray this in name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen !

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

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.

New Testament Quote: John 13:13 “You call me ʻTeacherʼ and ʻLord,ʼ and do so correctly, a for that is what I am.” Jesus uses this phrase in the context of following his example and learning from him after the act of washing feet at the last supper. Jesus asks you to learn and be taught, education is important. © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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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.

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Lent Course Week 2 Mustard Seed By Rev John Bol

Please read the parable below:

Mark Chapter 4 Verses 30 - 32

He also asked, "To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground- 32 when it is sown, it grows up, becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds can nest in its shade."

Setting the Scene In South Sudan many people do not get more than a primary school or basic education. In many cases girls are not encouraged to attend secondary school and as both boys and girls get older parents are less willing to meet the costs of education and want assistance at home from their children. The pressure to work and socially accepted norms limit the education many get. This in turn limits personal development and restricts the opportunities for individuals.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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1. What is Jesus really talking about when he talks about a Mustard Seed.? 2. Is it true that really big and strong things can come from small beginnings? 3. How old were you when you learned to read? 4. Does learning small skills help you to learn bigger ones? 5. The Mustard plant grew very big provided shade and was a home for birds, can the education from school help a person to provide for others? 6. If a person does not go to school are they disadvantaged? 7. Thinking particularly of the example of the Mustard Plant in question 5 what advantages are there to ensuring all girls are properly educated? 8. As Christians what can we do to ensure all children get the best start with education that they can so that they are strong and filled with wisdom?

Pray together:

Almighty God we pray for our children of South Sudan so that you may bless them and give them knowledge that will help our nation to improve by tribal hatred and violence which covered almost all corner of South Sudan through education. Thank you so much for the give of live and the give of the children and we pray that you may bless them and give them knowledge of understanding and wisdom for now and future administration, provided us with all educational needs to education our children, we ask all these through our Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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For the Week Ahead

Luke 2:40 “And the child grew and became strong, a filled with wisdom, and the favour of God was upon him.”

“In the coming week think about School education. What things could be done to improve school education and encourage children in study. Are some children prevented from getting education? Could you do something to change that? 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 2 Leaders Notes Mustard Seed By Rev John Bol

Please read the parable below:

Mark Chapter 4 Verses 30 to 32

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.

ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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1. What is Jesus really talking about when he talks about a Mustard Seed? Jesus was taking about God’s kingdom and its future growing comparison to the Mustard Seed because the kingdom of God started from a very small group of people and will later grow to large number of people (multitude), likewise the mustard seed looks very small among the other seeds but will grow very big and taller tree than others so that the wild birds nest in its shade. Jesus was really talking about the progress of the word of the Almighty God who has sent him to come and fulfil the mission he was sent to do. To make it clear and understandable Jesus was talking about this simply because he want the crowds who were with him to understand how the word of God will be like in the future time to come. For us to understand this we can take the example of his parable from the book of Matthew 13:31-32 that says “the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed it in his field. It is the smallest among all the seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make their nests on its branches.” At that time people did not know how the kingdom will be like or that it will spread to all nations. Jesus knew it and to make it clear for them to understand it Jesus has to compared it with the mustard seed so it becomes very easy for them that this small word of God which we see as the smallest will become the largest and it will cover the whole nations.

2. Is it true that really big and strong things can come from small beginnings? Yes big and strong thing can come from small beginning like when a child starts to learn at home and in the school he/she started from imitation until he/she will able to speak and also learn how to write the alphabet (letters) starting from A up to Z. This is how many beginnings happen and this is how it has gone until higher education (University). Surely the smallest thing is considered as the beginning of all things because everything is believes to be originated from the smallest and later becomes larger. There many examples that we can learn from ,like when the child is born he/she seemed to be very small among the people who are around and later he/she will grow up to mature person. So we can actually say the smallest is the beginning of big and strong things.

3. How old were you when you learned to read? I was about 12 years old when I first started to read and write, which actually has become like miracle to me when I was learning more about English learning skills, listening, spelling, writing and speaking. I just wanted to learn how to write my full name and know how to read when someone wrote my name for me because I doubted uneducated people knew what was written in their absence so I learned to read actually the way it was written. But sometime later, I also realized how it is possible know what was written by someone else to somebody who was not present. This has given me many questions and that has strongly encouraged me with a true confidence that enabled me to continue with my education. It has actually true that small beginnings can lead to the big level when you feel like continuing. I have just

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completed my educational foundation and I hope that God may provide some opportunities for more education sometime in the near future.

4. Does learning small skills help you to learn bigger ones? Learning of small skills can help to learn bigger ones for sure, it has possibly happened because if you have learned small skills it will give you the foundation of learning the bigger one. Like for example when you started your schooling you begun from primary one, it gives a way to success in the advanced level of education. So we can actually say that learning skills will give you a strong foundation to learn the biggest ones. In this explanation we can note that when a child starts from 0 level it seems to be the smallest learning skill and that is how he/she can continue up to reaching the university level where he/she can acquire the higher knowledge to learn anything.

5. The Mustard plant grew very big provided shade and was a home for birds, can the education from school help a person to provide for others? The answer is yes because education can help a person to provide other importance things to the community. In this point I want to talk about the important things that the educated person brings to the community, for example our community that is now living under poverty, and there is no way out except through education. It is the only way to help them out, if you are educated you can sit with the community and identify the needs and problems which are facing them. A person who is educated can carry out development activities in the community, train the community to known their local resources and to take away that concept of denying what they have because it is little. They can learn to begin with a small thing and God will bless it to become a bigger one. Also an educated person can talk about the issue of tribalism and strongly condemn discrimination among the community and begin to preach about peace, such that the community can live in unity and understand that people are all equal in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sight.

6. If a person does not go to school are they disadvantaged? There is a lot of disadvantages to those who do not attended school because school can help a person growing in social mentality that will provide a spirit of comprehensive understanding and help someone improve his behaviour. It can also equip someone to know leadership skills and styles of good governance in the country. There are very many disadvantages to those who do not attend school because the community will not change and they could not bring any development to the community because they have a lack of knowledge and critical thinking so that they can identify the problems and needs of the community. In this context we can say that it is the greatest loss for those who did not attend school, because they will continue like that following an ordinary life and they will not know what is going on in the world. Another reason why it is bad for those who do not attend school is the issue of responsibility at the family level and beyond, they do not know what responsibility is, or the nature of it and the scope of responsibility. It is because of this lack of education. ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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7. Thinking particularly of the example of the Mustard Plant in question 5 what advantages are there to ensuring all girls are properly educated? The advantages of ensuring all girls’ are properly educated can be seen when the girls compete and perform well in any administration and leadership styles, equal to the boys. Also with self-esteem and independent confidence simply because the girls as well as all ladies of South Sudan in past decades relied on trusting brothers or men for they assumed that they were the one to provide all needs. Another goodness of ensuring all girls are well educated is demonstrated when they all realize their rights so that they can strongly fight for advocacy well. When they are well educated they can be in the position to defend their rights because they know their rights compared to past years where they were not educated and they could not do so. For this analysis, we can really note that the advantages ensuring that all girls are properly educated is based on when they fully participate in competition equal to boys as well as doing the same jobs where possible.

8. As Christians what can we do to ensure all children get the best start with education that they can so that they are strong and filled with wisdom? As Christians we can make sure that children get the best start at home, church and in the school. Getting the best start with education so that they may strong and filled with wisdom we can train them to know the word of God, this may pave a way for them to have an ability of learning which will help them understand so that they may perform well in their studies. This will ensure that all children get the best education and after that they will be strong and filled with wisdom. By doing this we are really ensuring that all children have known the supreme God who is the sources of wisdom and they will finally put God first in whatever they do and they can also be in the position of asking God to fill them with wisdom. As Christians we can teach our children at home to know the word of the Living God as it is written in the book of Deuteronomy 6:7-9 “you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk to them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and you rise 8 you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”. In conclusion we as Christians realize that we should help our children to be attentive in learning processes at home and wherever they are that can really open the way forward for them to have productive knowledge and efficient wisdom.

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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.

Just as the Mustard seed was very small when it started to grow education often starts small with learning simple things such as writing your name and learning at primary school level. But the future of South Sudan requires people who have a lot more education than that. One advantage that people who have completed secondary education have over people that have not is that they have acquired a special skill. This is the skill of learning. People who can learn for themselves can change and adapt to whatever the future brings. South Sudan will need doctors, business leaders, teachers, engineers and many more people in the future who will all have education beyond school level. But none of this will be possible without a good school education. As Jesus points out the Mustard seed may have started small when it finished it was huge, provided for many and had a large impact. Jesus was speaking about God’s word but the same could be said for the education of a child, their abilities could become huge and help many, many people.

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: Almighty God we pray for our children of South Sudan so that you may bless them and give them knowledge that will help our nation to improve by tribal hatred and violence which covered almost all corner of South Sudan through education. Thank you so much for the give of live and the give of the children and we pray that you may bless them and give them knowledge of understanding and wisdom for now and future administration, provided us with all educational needs to education our children, we ask all these through our Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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

New Testament Quote: Luke 2:40 “And the child grew and became strong, a filled with wisdom, and the favour of God was upon him.” This phrase describes Jesus growing up and clearly learning to gain wisdom, as all children should be encouraged to.

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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 3 Wise and Foolish By Rev Rev Paul Lueth

Please read the parable below:

Luke Chapter 67 Verses 47 to 49

"Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice I will show you what he is like:48 He is like a man a building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the person who hears and does not put my words into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against that house, it collapsed immediately, and was utterly destroyed!"

Setting the Scene In South Sudan people of all ages face moral choices which affect others as well as themselves. Many have grown up in circumstances of poverty and fighting and have not had the guidance of parents or family relatives. Some have been exposed to groups who have made poor moral choices to make use of people that cannot make good moral choices of their own. The Church in South Sudan is able to give guidance but only if it’s pastors and workers have appropriate theological training.

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. Have you ever had a bad experience like a flood and known disaster? 2. How did the wise builder prevent the flood affecting the house? 3. Is Jesus really talking about building a house, what does he mean? 4. Can we really expect to enter the Kingdom of God if we do not do what he expects? 5. How can we know what God wants of us? Where can we learn it? 6. Does it help society if people understand the Bible and the message of Jesus? 7. Is it important to properly train Pastors and church workers, is this a foundation? 8. As Christians what can we do ensure that people are educated in God's Word?

Pray together:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ! You said in your word that there will be a time when people looking your word but they will not get it. Dear Lord Jesus it’s time to open our eyes to know your word in our inner hearts, so that to bring up our children in your word to build them a good foundation in your kingdom. Let be our chance to study your word and take it in our hearts as light of our path strength out our weakness and build us as strong in your kingdom in the name of God the father and son and the Holy Spirit. Amen! © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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For the Week Ahead

2Timothy 3:15-16 “and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching”

“In the coming week think about how you might contribute to education in your local church. What could you do to improve the way your church provides education. Is there a way that better education could be provided for your pastors or church workers. 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 Wise and Foolish By RevPaul Lueth

Please read the parable below:

Luke Chapter 67 Verses 47 to 49

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.

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1. Have you ever had a bad experience like a flood and known disaster? I had an experience in 1988 in South Sudan when there was disastrous flood in S Sudan , thousands of people lost their lives. My eyes witnessed two people who died in front of my eyes because of hunger. At that time I was a small boy, my mother took care of me and struggled to get something to survive. One day she brought green leaves from a tree. She told me that eat these leaves for your survival. I ate them and took some water drank it and I survived. It was a very troubling disaster, we called it (Ruon maraca). There were no houses we slept under trees. People tried to build local houses but floods came and swept them away.

2. How did the wise builder prevent the flood affecting the house? The wise man was clever he built the house on rock where no flood could sweep away the house because foundation was in the rock and it was solid.

3. Is Jesus really talking about building a house, what does he mean? Jesus was talking about the faith of his believers. He did not mean a physical house but Jesus meant our hearts and the way we receive his word. If we keep it in our hearts strongly we will be like the wise man who built his house on rock when we obey him and follow His word.

4. Can we really expect to enter the Kingdom of God if we do not do what he expects? No. We cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we build our faith on him and keep his law in our hearts and practice it wherever His word is telling us to do.

5. How can we know what God wants of us? Where can we learn it? We can know through His bible, we need to commit ourselves to his word reading it and practicing it and living in it. According to II Timothy 3: 16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” We can learn it in the bible school and in the church through studying it as bible study and also from preaching.

6. Does it help society if people understand the Bible and the message of Jesus? It can change society when people understand the message of Jesus Christ. Because the word of God is living water, those who thirst can drink it as the living water of life. The message of Jesus has changed the society of Samaria through hearing the word. It has done the same thing in many other communities and countries.

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7. Is it important to properly train Pastors and church workers, is this a foundation? Yes! It is very significant to train pastors and church workers to know the word of God, to change their life first, then they will go and change the community of faith. People who are teaching must know what they are teaching to teach it well.

8. As Christians what can we do ensure that people are educated in God's Word? People can be educated simply through bible study groups, like the kind of bible fellowship. Every church must have bible study in every activity of the church. I mean to put it as program in the church, the word must reach people for them to understand it. Another way is to ensure people are educated in God’s word through trained pastors who know the context of the bible first and the importance of the message of Jesus Christ in their life.

Summing Up Read the passage below to the group and then ask for a time of silence to prepare for prayer. A house is only as secure as its foundation, with a weak foundation a house can easily fall in to destruction. Just the same with people and the way that they accept the message of Jesus. When faced with the hard choices of life people with a weak foundation in God can easily fall into destruction. But in a country where education generally is not good making a firm foundation can be hard. It is important to realise that people who bring the message of Jesus must be well trained and educated so that they do their work well. Because the message of Jesus can affect every part of life, making life better for everyone a firm foundation is very important. Jesus knew that the challenges of life will not go away, but with a faith built firmly on a good foundation we can withstand all challenges and live as God wants us to.

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 Lord Jesus Christ! You said in your word that there will be a time when people looking your word but they will not get it. Dear Lord Jesus it’s time to open our eyes to know your word in our inner hearts, so that to bring up our children in your word to build them a good foundation in your kingdom. Let be our chance to study your word and take it in our hearts as light of our path strength out our weakness and build us as strong in your kingdom in the name of God the father and son and the Holy Spirit 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 3:15-16 “and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching” This phrase is in the context of learning scripture and knowing through that how to live in peace and harmony with God.

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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 4 The Sower By Rev Peter Akook

Please read the parable below:

Matthew Chapter 13 Verses 3 to 9

He told them many things in parables, saying:"Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds a fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground where they did not have much soil. They sprang up quickly because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun came up, they were scorched, and because they did not have sufficient root, they withered. 7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, and they grew up and choked them. 8 But other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 The one who has ears had better listen!"

Setting the Scene Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of South Sudan. Estimates on value addition by agriculture, forestry and fisheries accounted for 36% of non-oil GDP in 2010. It is evident that about 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with agriculture, forestry and fisheries providing the primary livelihood for a majority of the households in each state. Much of the rural sector activity is currently focused on low-input low-output subsistence agriculture instead of production for markets. Among the significant reasons for this are: (i) the need for improved agricultural inputs and techniques such as seeds and fertilizers, storage facilities, advisory services, and irrigation development; (ii) the difficulties faced by farmers in accessing markets due to the poor road network, lack of other transport, taxes and charges (including bribes); (iii) the lack of a critical mass of farmer and rural producer associations as a means of entering the market place with the aim of minimizing the cost of inputs, accessing loan finance at affordable rates and influencing farm-gate prices; and (iv) uncertainties pertaining to property rights and access to land.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers: ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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1. Is it a good thing for seeds to be wasted in agriculture? 2. Is the parable really talking about seeds growing or people reacting to God? 3. Does the way people react to God affect their lives? 4. What is the benefit of good quality agriculture in society? 5. How can agriculture be improved by education? 6. Does it matter how much each plant produced in the parable? 7. Who is it that may have ears and should listen? 8. As Christians what can we do to produce the best crop for God and ourselves too?

Pray together:

Father of love and mercy, you created our people from every clan, tribe and nationality. It is your will that all our people should live in agricultural land, harmony, peace and unity, because we are all brothers and sisters. We ask forgiveness for the times we failed to live together in peace. Heal our offenses and help us to reconcile with one another. Grant to our leaders your divine wisdom and help us to promote education skills on agriculture, respect, justice and true reconciliation, so that the people of South Sudan may live in unity and peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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For the Week Ahead

1 Timothy 2:2 “even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity”

“In the coming week think about how education could help agriculture. What could you do to improve your own education, have you missed a chance to do your best? Are you a fertile ground for God’s word? 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 Sower By Rev Peter Akook

Please read the parable below:

Matthew Chapter 13 Verses 3 to 9

ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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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. Is it a good thing for seeds to wasted in agriculture ? Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock. It includes the preparation of plant and animal products for people to use and their distribution to markets. Agriculture provides most of the world’s food and fabrics. Cotton, wool, and leather are all agricultural products. Agriculture also provides wood for construction and paper products. Managed well, without wasting seeds, Agriculture enabled people to produce surplus food. They could use this extra food when crops failed or trade it for other goods. Food surpluses allowed people to work at other tasks unrelated to farming. Over centuries, the growth of agriculture contributed to the rise of civilizations. Before agriculture became widespread, people spent most of their lives searching for food—hunting wild animals and gathering wild plants. About 11,500 years ago, people gradually learned how to grow cereal and root crops, and settled down to a life based on farming. Agriculture kept formerly nomadic people near their fields and led to the development of permanent villages. These became linked through trade. New economies were so successful in some areas that cities grew and civilizations developed. This could not be possible if agriculture was not well managed.

2. Is the parable really talking about seeds growing or people reacting to God? The first thing we notice about this parable is its similarity to the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:2-9. In some ways, this parable expands on Jesus’ teaching of how the “good soil” (a receptive heart) receives the “seed” (the Word of God). In the Parable of the Growing Seed, Jesus tells of a man who scatters seed on the ground and then allows nature to take its course. As the man who sowed the seed goes about his business day by day, the seed begins to have an effect. First, the seed sprouts; then it produces a stalk and leaves, then a head of grain, and, finally, fully developed kernels in the head. Jesus emphasizes that all of this happens without the man’s help. The man who scattered the seed cannot even fully understand how it happens—it is simply the work of nature. “All by itself the soil produces” (verse 28).The parable ends with a harvest. As soon as the grain is ripe, the sickle is employed, and the seed is harvested. This happens at just the right time. Jesus did not explain this parable, as He did some others. Instead, He left it to us to understand its meaning. Taking the seed to be the Word of God, as in Mark 4:14, we can interpret the growth of the plants as the working of God’s Word in individual hearts. The fact that the crop grows without the farmer’s intervention means that can God accomplish His purposes even when we are absent or unaware of what He’s doing. The goal is the ripened grain. At the proper time, the Word will bring forth its fruit, and the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2) will be glorified. The truth of this parable is well illustrated in the growth of the early church: “I planted the seed; Apollos © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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watered it, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Just like a farmer cannot force a crop to grow, an evangelist cannot force spiritual life or growth on others. To summarize the point of the Parable of the Growing Seed: “The way God uses His Word in the heart of an individual is mysterious and completely independent of human effort.” May we be faithful in “sowing the seed,” praying for a harvest, and leaving the results to the Lord!

3. Does the way people react to God affect their lives? To many people God is a concept. He is an idea, a theory, a way of understanding the world. Since He cannot be seen it is hard to believe in Him. After all, how can you trust something you can’t even touch? In school we learned that gravity exists by observing that every time we let go of an apple it falls. But there is no such ‘drop test’ to prove the existence of God. Yet, despite this lack of “proof”, many intelligent people do believe in God. Thousands of people throughout history have devoted their lives to serving Him, despite the fact that they have never seen His face. Ultimately this may lead us to wonder, does it really matter? Does a belief in God really change anything about our lives? Is a belief in the existence of a higher power solely a theoretical idea; something to be discussed at the dinner table with friends? The Bible is clear about the answer to this question. It tells us that believing in God changes everything about our lives. Accepting God’s existence is a life-altering belief, not only in the hope that it gives us for the future, but in the way God’s presence can change our lives now.

4. What is the benefit of good quality agriculture in society? The objectives of an agricultural society are to encourage an awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agricultural community by: • Researching the needs of the agricultural community and developing programs to meet those needs • Holding agricultural exhibitions featuring competitions for which prizes may be awarded • Promoting the conservation of natural resources • Encouraging the beautifications of the agricultural community • Supporting and providing facilities to encourage activities intended to enrich rural life • Conducting or promoting horse races when authorized to do so by a by-law of the society Not every society will be engaged in all of the activities listed, however all societies should be engaged in activities that encourage agricultural awareness and improve the quality of life of the persons living in their community. Local and Provincial economies receive a direct benefit: • Agricultural benefits • Family appeal • Helps keep communities on the map • A sense of community is strengthened • Urban and rural communities alike can learn about agriculture • Development of Youth through Ambassador Programs and Activities • Promotion of tourism • Provides opportunities in leadership © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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• Other groups and service clubs realize fund raising goals through fair participation Agricultural Societies through their activities, programs and services, deliver direct, indirect and induced benefit to the Government with great significance to the rural and urban population. The benefits include: • Strengthening the agricultural economy • Providing tax revenues • Increasing agricultural education • Increasing agricultural awareness • Providing entertainment • Strengthening rural life • Increasing and enhancing tourism • Providing rural and urban exposure • Strengthening the food chain Agricultural Societies are a nonpartisan medium through which new technologies can be shown and displayed to the general public. Annual fairs/exhibitions provide a means of educating the consumer as to how food is produced and delivered to the dinner table, "From Farm to Table". The agricultural fair provides agricultural awareness, education programs. The Societies provide an opportunity for individuals to develop their leadership and interpersonal skills as they progress through committees, to the executive and on the provincial boards. Many of these people are key leaders within the agricultural community and beyond.

5. How can agriculture be improved by education? A study investigated the effects of education on agricultural productivity of farmers; how the varying kinds of education affect agricultural productivity; to suggest policy interventions that will facilitate the use of education to increase agricultural productivity and how educational level of farmers can be improved. Eight farming communities were involved in the study. Data was obtained from 100 farmers in various communities and also from the Agricultural Development Unit as well as Non-formal Education Section of the Educational Directorate. The major finding in the study were that as educational level increases, output increases with secondary school education having the highest returns on agricultural productivity. Extension service has a greater impact on agricultural productivity than formal education even though coverage is low. The study concluded that education is important to the improvement of agricultural productivity such that formal education opens the mind of the farmer to knowledge, non-formal education gives the farmer hands-on training and better methods of farming and informal education keeps the farmer abreast with changing innovations and ideas and allows farmer to share experience gained. It is recommended the government improves the quality of formal education, extension services and adult literacy classes.

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6. Does it matter how much each plant produced in the parable? The Parable of the Sower concerns a Sower who scatters seed, which falls on four different types of ground. The hard ground “by the way side” prevents the seed from sprouting at all, and the seed becomes nothing more than bird food. The stony ground provides enough soil for the seeds to germinate and begin to grow, but because there is “no deepness of earth,” the plants do not take root and are soon withered in the sun. The thorny ground allows the seed to grow, but the competing thorns choke the life out of the beneficial plants. The good ground receives the seed and produces much fruit. Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower highlights four different responses to the gospel. The seed is “the word of the kingdom.” The hard ground represents someone who is hardened by sin; he hears but does not understand the Word, and Satan plucks the message away, keeping the heart dull and preventing the Word from making an impression. The stony ground pictures a man who professes delight with the Word; however, his heart is not changed, and when trouble arises, his so-called faith quickly disappears. The thorny ground depicts one who seems to receive the Word, but whose heart is full of riches, pleasures, and lusts; the things of this world take his time and attention away from the Word, and he ends up having no time for it. The good ground portrays the one who hears, understands, and receives the Word—and then allows the Word to accomplish its result in his life. The man represented by the “good ground” is the only one of the four who is truly saved, because salvation’s proof is fruit (Matthew 3:7-8; 7:1520). To summarize the point of the Parable of the Sower: “A man’s reception of God’s Word is determined by the condition of his heart.” A secondary lesson would be “Salvation is more than a superficial, albeit joyful, hearing of the gospel. Someone who is truly saved will go on to prove it.” May our faith and our lives exemplify the "good soil" in the Parable of the Sower.

7. Who is it that may have ears and should listen? This parable contains instructions so important, that all capable of hearing are bound to attend to it. There are many things we are concerned to know; and if we understand not the plain truths of the gospel, how shall we learn those more difficult! It will help us to value the privileges we enjoy as Disciples of Christ, if we seriously consider the deplorable state of all who have not such privileges. In the great field of the church, the word of God is dispensed to all. Of the many that hear the word of the gospel, only few receive it, so as to bring forth fruit. Many are much affected with the word for the present, who yet receive no abiding benefit. The word does not leave abiding impressions upon the minds of men, because their hearts are not duly disposed to receive it. The devil is very busy about careless hearers, as the fowls of the air go about the seed that lies above ground. Many continue in a barren, false profession, and go down to hell. Impressions that are not deep, will not last. Many do not mind hardwork, without which religion is nothing. Others are hindered from profiting by the word of God, by abundance of the world. Those who have but little of the world, may yet be ruined by indulging the body. God expects and requires fruit from those who enjoy the gospel, a temper of mind and Christian graces daily exercised, Christian duties duly performed. Let us look to the Lord, because we should all have ears and listen that by his new-creating grace our hearts may become good ground, and that the good seed of the word may produce in our lives those good words and works which are from Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God the Father.

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8. As Christians what can we do to produce the best crop for God and ourselves too? James takes up the topic of work in detail in the second part of chapter 2. When discussing work, he invariably uses the plural “works” (Greek erga) rather than the singular “work” (Greek ergon). This leads some to suppose that James uses “works” to mean something different from “work.” However, erga and ergon are simply plural and singular forms of the same word.[4] James is describing any kind of work, from works of kindness, such as giving food to someone who is hungry, to on-the-job work, such as increasing the sustainable yield of rice paddies. His use of the plural shows that he expects Christians’ work to be continual. James’s focus on work has led to deep controversy about the letter. Luther famously disliked James because he read James 2:24 (“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”) to be a con-tradiction of Galatians 2:16 (“A person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ”). Other leaders of the Protestant Reformation did not share this view, but Luther’s objection came to dominate the Protestant reading of James. Although we cannot go into the long debate about Luther and the book of James here, we can inquire briefly whether James’s emphasis on work is at odds with the Protestant rejection of “justification by works.” What does James himself say? James 2:14 is arguably the centre ¬ piece of his argument, so we will consider this section before moving on to James 2:1–13: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?” James bluntly answers his own question by stating, “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17)—as dead (as he notes in a carefully chosen example) as someone in desperate need of food who receives only empty words of well-wishing from his neighbor (James 2:15–16). James takes it for granted that believing in Christ (trusting in God) will move you to feel compassion for— and act to help—someone in need. We have opportunities every day to meet the needs of people we work for and among. It can be as simple as making sure a confused customer finds the right item for their need or noticing that a new co-worker needs help but is afraid to ask. James urges us to take special concern for those who are vulnerable or marginalized, and we may need to practice noticing who these people are at our places of work. This is the heart of the book of James. James does not imagine that work is at odds with faith. There can be no “justification by works” because there can be no good works unless there is already faith (trust) in God. James doesn’t mean that faith can exist without works yet be insufficient for salvation. He means that any “faith” that doesn’t lead to works is dead; in other words, it is no faith at all. “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead” (James 2:26). James doesn’t command Christians to work for the benefit of others in need instead of placing faith in Christ, or even in addition to placing faith in Christ. He expects that Christians will work for the benefit of others in need as a result of placing faith in Christ. The insight that Christian faith always leads to practical action is in itself a lesson for the workplace. We cannot divide the world into spiritual and practical, for the spiritual is the practical. “You see that [Abraham’s] faith was active along with his works,” James says (James 2:22). Therefore we can never say, “I believe in Jesus and I go to church, but I keep my personal faith out of my work.” That kind of faith is dead. James’s words “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24) challenge us to work out our commitment to Christ in our daily activities. The rest of the letter gives practical applications of the two underlying principles of trust in God and working to benefit others in need. Given

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our assessment of James 2:14–26, we will proceed with the perspective that these applications are outworking of faith in Christ, valid in James’s day and instructive in ours.

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

This session gives us a lot to think about. For a country that relies so heavily on agriculture there is not much investment for the future in South Sudan. Education can be shown to improve agriculture and improved agriculture provides more than just increased food it provides stability. But education must be readily accepted. Each of the seeds in the parable faced a different challenge and in some cases it may seem that they could not succeed. But each seed that could produce a harvest was blessed in doing so. The Love that Jesus brings to us from God can be invested in our faith and the harvest seen in the way we live our lives, doing good work and bringing to honour God. If we accept the word of God readily we can use it in our life practically, we just need to listen.

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:

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

New Testament Quote: 1 Timothy 2:2 “even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” This phrase is part of a prayer that all people may do their best, be their best and in so doing maintain peace in life.

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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 Your Talents By Rev Peter Angui Akook

Please read the Parable below:

Mathew 25: 14 - 30 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more? 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his masters money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more. ʼ 21 His master answered, well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. ʼ 22 the one with the two talents also came and said, sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more. ʼ 23 His master answered, well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. ʼ 24 then the one who had received the one talent came and said, sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours. ʼ 26 but his master answered, evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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Setting the Scene In South Sudan there is no doubt that there are number of people talented in business and teaching, without any training or learning a profession. South Sudanese people know a little of basic business ideas and have a little knowledge in teaching young people how to live and behave. First and foremost, talents are those abilities inherited from one’s parents and nurtured in the context of one’s family and are imparted at our natural birth. Talents can be developed with hard work and perseverance. Talents can be practiced, trained and along the way we can achieve the expected results. So therefore, natural talents are the results of our genetic inheritance and the training resulting from our family environment. These talents are possessed by both believers and nonbelievers and they can be used to serve God or serve ourselves. Generally, there is no business training and learning profession in South Sudan due to the longest war in Sudan which deny South Sudanese a chance or access to education but South Sudanese survived because of the natural talents being inherited from parents.

Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. What was it that the slave with the fewest talents did wrong? 2. Was the third slave lazy when he did not invest the money he was given? 3. Is it easy to make wise business decisions? 4. Is this really a story about people investing money? 5. What is the thing of great value that God gives you? 6. Can you improve the skills you have with education, is this investing in yourself? 7. Would South Sudan be a better place with better business leaders and properly trained professional people? 8. As Christians how can we encourage education as an investment in people's talents?

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Pray together: “Almighty God, you have blessed each of us with unique gifts, and have called us into specific occupations, relationships, and activities using those gifts. Enable us to use our talents to witness to our faith in you and to communicate your love to the people we meet each day. Empower us to be ministers of reconciliation, love, hope, and justice. Keep us steadfast in our commitment to serve actively in your name; God of love and of life, let us take time to look deep within ourselves and discover the gifts you have blessed us with. May we take the time to direct our lives in a way that best uses our own unique combination of gifts. May our education help us discover where our strengths and interests lie. May our faith guide us in realizing our gifts. May we always be open to the direction of the Spirit and never forget the love you have for each of us. Give us, O Lord, the perception we need to look within ourselves and discover the beauty and gifts we possess. Give us the courage to show others the talents they have. Help us serve others in the community and in so doing build up your kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

For the Week Ahead New Testament Quote – Acts 7:22 So Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds...

“In the coming week think about the talents you have or the gifts that God has given you and how you might use them to increase the Kingdom of God. 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 Your Talents By Rev Peter Angui Akook

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. What was it that the slave with the fewest talents did wrong? It was laziness and an evil act from being afraid that led him to do the wrong thing, contrary to what the master was expecting from his talents. In every situation where fear and laziness or inability to make best decision is developed, there is always chance of a terrible failure as a result. A failed person would be evil because he/she is not faithful to make best use of whatever he/she has been given by the master and also would be lazy because he/she has put no effort in to working hard to serve God and other people.

2. Was the third slave lazy when he did not invest the money he was given? The third slave was too lazy to do something. Because he found it easy to go directly to hide that talent rather than to use it, which is harder, like the other slaves. Laziness didn’t give him a chance to see other opportunities and alternatives of utilizing that talent by putting in some effort such as putting down business plan, objectives and methodologies of doing that business better. Laziness can make a person paralysed, foolish, disabled and unable to think, act or perform in better ways.

3. Is it easy to make wise business decisions? It is not easy to make wise business decisions due to the inclusion of risks if not carefully and properly calculated for better results. Making wise business decisions requires a lot of time, energy, and critical thinking to see greater opportunities. Business involves either profit or loss. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze the way you think and present evidence for

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your ideas rather than simply accepting your personal reasoning as sufficient proof. Any person who would make wise business decisions is a person who has developed critical thinking skills. Because critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored and self-corrective thinking. Critical thinking involves analyzing, reasoning, evaluating, problem solving and decision making etc. It’s a way of thinking that should be taught.

4. Is this really a story about people investing money? It is indeed a story about people investing money because doing business requires a lot of natural ability, gifts and education, understanding how best to use their talents. This is best explained through an example. 



Assume you invest SSP 1000 in a stock in one year, and that stock pays a dividend of 5% each year. At the end of year one, you will have SSP 1050. In year two, the stock will pay the same 5%, but now the 5% will be based on the SSP 1050 you have. As a result, you will receive SSP 52.50 in dividends, as opposed to SSP 50 in the first year. Over time, this can produce huge growth. If you simply let that SSP 1000 sit in account earning a 5% dividend, over 40 years, it would be worth over SSP 7000 in 40 years. If you contribute an additional SSP 1000 each year, it would be worth SSP 133,000 in 40 years. If you started contributing SSP 500 per month in year two, it would be worth nearly SSP 800,000 after 40 years. Keep in mind since this is an example, we assumed the value of the stock and the dividend stayed constant. In reality, it would likely increase or decrease which could result in substantially more or less money after 40 years.

5. What is the thing of great value that God gives you? A gift does not have to be expensive. After all, the true value of a gift is not necessarily measured in terms of money. Rather, when a gift brings you happiness or fills a real need in your life, it has great value to you personally. Of the many gifts you could ever hope to receive, there is one that stands out above all others. It is a gift from God to mankind. God has given us many things, but his greatest gift to us is the ransom sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Read Matthew 20:28.) As we will see in this chapter, the ransom is the most valuable gift you could possibly receive, for it can bring you untold happiness and can fill your most important needs. The ransom is really the greatest expression of God’s love for you. Put simply, the ransom is God’s means to deliver, or save, humankind from sin and death. (Ephesians 1:7)

6. Can you improve the skills you have with education, is this investing in yourself? There is no doubt you can earn a decent return over time in a well diversified portfolio. However, the best investment no one talks about is investing in yourself. Time and time again this is absolutely the best investment you can make in your life. I’m not simply talking about taking more college courses or mandatory training from your employer. I am referring to making a commitment to learn new skills, improve old ones, and changing with © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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the times. When you make the commitment to invest in yourself, the return on investment will begin to multiply exponentially over time – similar to compound interest. “Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it.” – Marie Colling. At First you may not notice the payoff from the investment, but there will be a time when your growth will sky rocket. Investing in yourself can lead to promotions at work, starting new businesses, better health, improving relationships, and much more. It is really the investment that keeps on paying dividends. Most people go to school or college then believe there is no reason to learn any more. If you want to find success, you need to continue to grow.

7. Would South Sudan be a better place with better business leaders and properly trained professional people? South Sudan would be a better place with better business leaders and properly trained professional people only when the ways of becoming a great business leader are developed, offered or trained. These include the following: 1. Invest in Training Give your team from management to support staff the opportunity to rise to the occasion and hone their skills. 2. Don't Ask for Permission No one is going to give you permission to grow your company. If you're a leader, start leading. Practice being self-directed and get your hands dirty doing the hard work involved in building a business. 3. Inspire Others Take risks and share your passion and vision loudly with everyone. Doing phenomenal focused work and pushing yourself to grow your business or career shows others what is possible. 4. Create a Vision If you're not sure what your big-picture ideas and goals are, it will be difficult to inspire anyone else to follow along with you. 5. Earn Their Respect Don't just ask and demand respect. You have to earn it. Start by carefully listening to others and considering their input following through on what you say you're going to do. Think of earning respect as setting an expectation.

8. As Christians how can we encourage education as an investment in people's talents? The parable contains a critical lesson about how we are to use our God-given capacities and resources. In the parable, the master expected his servants to seek material gain. Rather © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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than passively preserve what they have been given, they were expected to invest the money. The master was angered at the timidity of the servant who had received the one talent. God commands us to use our talents towards productive ends. The parable emphasizes the need for work and creativity as opposed to idleness. We encourage sin this way. The Parable of the Talents implies that inactivity—or wasting entrepreneurial talent incites the wrath of God. After all, the lowly servant had not wasted his Lord’s money; he just hid it in the ground. The master’s reaction is surprising. He calls him “wicked and slothful” and banishes him forever. It is not just the servant’s sloth that brings such anger. He has also shown no sorrow and blamed the master for his timidity. His excuse for not investing the money is that he viewed the master as a hard and exacting man, though he had been given generous resources. Bible scholar John Meir comments, “Out of fear of failure, he has refused to even try to succeed.” We can encourage education for all people that wish to grow in business, or improve the skills they have. Investing in people makes them better at what they do and so more productive. Christians all over the world have taken a strong lead with education historically and we can follow that example by making the best use of our own resources. In Wau we have a college that can be used to train people in any subject so why not business.

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

This week the reading reminds us that God has expectations for us. The Master expected his servants to work hard and grow the talents he had given them. In life as in business you only succeed with a combination of hard work and good education. You can work very hard at doing the wrong things and lose everything. Good education can be hard to come by, but it has a value beyond all measure. Growing a strong economy can be good for everyone in country, promoting health, development and peace. We are all here with the gifts that God has given us, everybody has different gifts and it is the desire of God that we make the best use of © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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them to the benefit of everyone. Just like the talents in the parable we are expected to multiply our gifts. So investing in ourselves is also an investment in South Sudan and a better future. It will take work and effort but in the end the return on the investment is peace and prosperity. If we invest in our faith in God in the same way then the return may be much greater.

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.

“Almighty God, you have blessed each of us with unique gifts, and have called us into specific occupations, relationships, and activities using those gifts. Enable us to use our talents to witness to our faith in you and to communicate your love to the people we meet each day. Empower us to be ministers of reconciliation, love, hope, and justice. Keep us steadfast in our commitment to serve actively in your name; God of love and of life, let us take time to look deep within ourselves and discover the gifts you have blessed us with. May we take the time to direct our lives in a way that best uses our own unique combination of gifts. May our education help us discover where our strengths and interests lie. May our faith guide us in realizing our gifts. May we always be open to the direction of the Spirit and never forget the love you have for each of us. Give us, O Lord, the perception we need to look within ourselves and discover the beauty and gifts we possess. Give us the courage to show others the talents they have. Help us serve others in the community and in so doing build up your kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

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.

New Testament Quote – Acts 7:22 So Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds... St Paul uses this phrase to highlight the fact that Moses was a wise and powerful leader because he had been educated to be a leader by the Egyptians.

“In the coming week think about the talents you have or the gifts that God has given you and how you might use them to increase the Kingdom of God. 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. © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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Lent Course Week 6 Great Banquet By Rev Philip Ajing

Please read the parable below:

Luke Chapter 14 Verses 15 to 24

When one of those at the meal with Jesus heard this, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will feast in the kingdom of God!" 16 But Jesus said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time for the banquet he sent his slave to tell those who had been invited, ʻCome, because everything is now ready. ʼ 18 But one after another they all a began to make excuses. The first said to him, ʻI have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please excuse me. ʼ 19 Another said, ʻI have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going out to examine them. Please excuse me. ʼ 20 Another said, ʻI just got married, and I cannot come. ʼ 21 So the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the master of the household was furious and said to his slave, ʻGo out quickly to the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. ʼ 22 Then the slave said, ʻSir, what you instructed has been done, and there is still room. ʼ 23 So the master said to his slave, ʻGo out to the highways and country roads and urge people to come in, so that my house will be filled. 24 For I tell you, not one of those individuals who were invited will taste my banquet! ʼ"

Setting the Scene Education is the only way that we can make South Sudanese society civilized and like other nations, right now many people do not get the education they deserve and they are dying due to lack of a good education. According to my own understanding the majority of people in South Sudan have taken the government as their source of employment; that is one reason why they are fighting each other, in order to get a higher position. In South Sudan illiteracy is very high because the government has been reluctant to spend more money on education than fighting. Education is regarded as too low, that is why many people have to go to East Africa for higher studies. Some people have even gotten scholarships outside the country but not been able to go for further studies because they did not have enough money. Schools, colleges, teachers and education materials all have a cost which some one must meet but not many in South Sudan can.

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Try to answer the following questions and discuss your answers:

1. Do you think it was wrong of people to turn down the invitations in the parable? 2. A Banquet is a great feast, but what does it represent in the parable? 3. What is Jesus telling people in this parable? 4. If you make an excuse to avoid doing something is that good or bad? 5. If education were a banquet do you think you are invited? 6. Sometimes education can seem like something to avoid like the banquet but should anyone make excuses to avoid education? 7. If you could have a chance to make South Sudan better would you? 8. As Christians what can we do to make sure everyone has a chance to benefit from the advantages education brings?

Pray together:

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do without your intervention in our lives so grant our nation the education we need to empower us with the right people and skills that the nation requires. Grant our people the knowledge we need to enable all our people to understand your Gospels and empower the evangelists to continue preaching your good news. Oh king of glory may you bring peace and stability in the young nation of South Sudan. Our people are suffering due to lack of love and unity. This is my humble prayer in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

For the Week Ahead

John 8:31-33 Then Jesus said to those Judeans a who had believed him, "If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

“In the coming week think about what education means for South Sudan. What could you do to improve education in South Sudan. Do you make excuses to avoid this subject? Do you embrace education as good or fear it changing everything? 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 6 Leaders Notes Great Banquet By Rev Philip Ajing

Please read the parable below:

Luke Chapter 14 Verses 15 to 24

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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. Do you think it was wrong of people to turn down the invitations in the parable? People had failed to attend wedding feast because they were not interested. For instance, in South Sudan many people do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. They are full of ignorance of the gospel. They cannot see an advantage in knowing.

2. A Banquet is a great feast, but what does it represent in the parable? In the great banquet the king is God the Father and the Son who is being honoured at the banquet is Jesus Christ. The idea of a wedding banquet suggests people gathered in celebrating a sacred covenant, like marriage, but in this case with God.

3. What is Jesus telling people in this parable? The wedding banquet was one of most joyous occasions in Jewish life. In this parable, Jesus compares heaven to a wedding banquet that a king had prepared for his son (Matthew22:2).The purpose of the parable was to show them that they were without any excuse for their rejection of Christ. A welcome is extended to all.

4. If you make an excuse to avoid doing something is that good or bad? It is not wise to make an excuse to avoid doing something good, we should try to do good things instead of doing bad things.

5. If education were a banquet do you think you are invited? Yes, everyone is invited. Education is one of the most important things in life, I would have accepted the invitation if education were the banquet because it can change people’s lives and give them skills.

6. Sometimes education can seem like something to avoid like the banquet but should anyone make excuses to avoid education? It is true some people can avoid education because of personal problems. Some people have interest to continue with study while others avoid education due to financial constraints. People should be encouraged not to avoid education but to embrace it as the future.

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7. If you could have a chance to make South Sudan better would you? Personally, I cannot make South Sudan better. The only way that we can make South Sudan better is through the gospel of Christ. People need evangelism because many people are pagans. We should all work to make South Sudan a better place.

8. As Christians what can we do to make sure everyone has a chance to benefit from the advantages education brings? As Christians, we need to establish more Schools, colleges and universities and also evangelize people to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. Boys and girls need to be encouraged in education and education must be a more important part of our society in general so that people recognise its great value to all of South Sudan.

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

The parable of the wedding banquet is famous for its reproach of frivolous excuses for snubbing the king’s invitation to his banquet. This parable is as true today as it was two thousand years ago. Today many individuals still despise God’s invitation to His kingdom. The parable of wedding feast sees God send His Son into the World and the very people who should have celebrated His coming reject Him. As a result, the kingdom of heaven was opened up to anyone who will set aside His own righteousness. The wedding feast invitation is extended to anyone both good and bad. The focus of the Great Banquet is to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour and make Him known to everyone who has not received salvation. God graciously invites all to come to Him but many are self-satisfied and preoccupied their own lives and miss out on the invitation. Only those who are aware of their inadequacy will accept the invitation. Education can set our people free if they learn the truth. It is a process of transforming knowledge, abilities, values and skills from one person to another. It is a social activity which helps to develop the personality of a © Wau Diocese 2016 – www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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person, in this activity a person can be able to find a clear picture of themselves and right directions for life. With the help of education people gain confidence in their personalities. In this context education is an important need in our nation as it helps people to reason and see things in a different way, since it opens the minds of the people.

As Christians we should support the government by providing primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities. Education in any nation is a collective responsibility which can both be taken care of by each and every individual and people of good will to the new nation. Investors in education fight the high levels of illiteracy among the people of South Sudan, equipping people with the knowledge and confidence to make a difference in the transformation of society. The Church in South Sudan has played great role by conducting conferences, inviting government officials and community leaders to attend peace and reconciliation meetings, so that the whole country can have peace and stability through education.

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:

Heavenly father, we pray for the nation of South Sudan that you may grant this new nation eternal peace, because the only way we as the people of South Sudan can progress and be like other successful nations is by embracing your love so that we may always see ourselves as brothers and sisters. We understand that there is nothing that we can do without your intervention in our lives so grant our nation the education we need to empower us with the right people and skills that the nation requires. Grant our people the knowledge we need to enable all our ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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people to understand your Gospels and empower the evangelists to continue preaching your good news. Oh king of glory may you bring peace and stability in the young nation of South Sudan. Our people are suffering due to lack of love and unity. This is my humble prayer in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit Amen

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

New Testament Quote: John 8:31-33 Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, "If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jesus uses said this to encourage people to learn what he was teaching. Education can set you free if you learn the truth.

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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 Wau Diocese 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 diocese in South Sudan we have many practical needs that require help. So we would very much like you to consider making a donation to Wau Diocese or partnering with us in our work. Practical help can be just as valuable as money. Please contact us to receive our quarterly newsletter, 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 diocese website:

www.wau.anglican.org Here is our address: ECS Diocese of Wau Hai Mozephin, Opposite Wau Teaching Hospital C/O ECS Provincial Office P.O. Box 110 Juba South Sudan Africa

Tel: +211912239089/+21195958118

Email: bishop@wau.anglican.org

ÂŠ Wau Diocese 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.wau.anglican.org A diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

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