Experience life with Jesus through Biblical Animation.
What is Biblical Animation?
The core of “Walking with Jesus” is Biblical Animation. It is a technique of narrative engagement, contemporary contextualization, and bodily re-narration in an adult education methodology. Through biblical animation, the Way of Jesus comes to life as participants journey with Jesus, not simply through reading the word but also through highly interactive experiential learning.
Participants experience the lives of the biblical characters as the characters tell their own stories, bridging the gaps of time, history, and culture. In the process, we enter the story and life of Jesus and then, in recontextualizing the story, discover Jesus entering the story of our world. This engaging series is suitable for college-age to adults. It is also appropriate for mature high-schoolers in an adult-mixed intergenerational group.
Some “Walking with Jesus” sessions are full-body engagement that groups have found extraordinarily insightful and just plain fun. Every portion is scripturally based focused on animating scripture into our setting and always keeping these questions in front of us, “How are we meeting Jesus in our world?” and “What does this mean for us regarding those who are outside of our walls?” “Within this scriptural reality and in our context, what is God calling us to do?”
Testimonial
“I never knew studying scripture could be this much fun! I felt we were right there with Jesus!”
– Lay Participant
When are the sessions conducted, and for what size group?
A weekly study of 10-12 weeks (can be done in an abbreviated format of 6-8 weeks). The optimum group size is 12 – 30 persons. It is possible to facilitate groups as large as 100.
However, with a larger group, there is a loss of intimacy and relational space where transformation occurs. Smaller groups are also possible. We should note that with a smaller group, we lose a bit of the energy and interplay of the larger gathering, particularly in the five scriptural movements that are animated bodily.
Home Missioner Steve Taylor, NC Conference Director of Connectional Ministries, facilitates these sessions.
Testimonial
“Steve Taylor presented us with Jesus who not only bumped up against the Imperial powers but presented the world with an alternative to imperial hegemony unto the point of death … the American Church needs to re-encounter and re-center this Jesus, who becomes animated in relationship with people who normally would not make it into mainline sanctuaries.”
– Rev. Jason Villegas
What is the expectation for participants?
To show up and be willing to engage. One of the particularities of the series is that the sessions build on the ones that come the weeks before. So, with each session, participants often reflect on … “Ok, you remember last week when … or you remember in this story such-and-such happens …” Thus, people must participate in as much of the whole process as possible.
Testimonial
“This study was a marvelous experience for those who participated from our congregation. For many, it has been truly transformational and has provided a key piece for new direction in discipleship and outreach. This has been a gift!”
– Rev. Ed Rutenkroger
How is it delivered?
Biblical Animation works well in a virtual or in-person format. It can also be utilized in a combined format meeting for some sessions in-person and other sessions virtually. There are no costs to the local congregation.
Jesus is calling us to journey with him. The question for us is, “Will we go?” Will we be his disciples? Will we proclaim this year as God’s Acceptable Year? Walking with Jesus – transforming the world, on earth as it is in heaven – transforming us into God’s people of compassion and joy!
Experience a Journey of Love and Transformation Today
If you’re interested in bringing “Walking with Jesus” to your ministry, please contact Beverly Elingburg at belingburg@nccumc.org.