Before the Session

Facilitator: In advance of the session

• Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
• Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
• Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media).
• Preview both news clips below and confirm the links still play. If either becomes unavailable, search for a recent news report on civilian deaths in the Iran war (or on the return of fallen U.S. service members) and substitute it.
• Today’s stories come from an ongoing war in which the United States is a combatant. Some in your group may have family members deployed, may hold strong views about the war, or may have lost someone. The goal is not to debate the policy but to look honestly at the human cost on every shore. Set that expectation at the start.

Context

Begin the conversation with prompts like these: