Changed by Grace
Les Miserables Project
1 John 4:16 – 21
16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God
abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have
boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no
fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with
punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love[b] because he first loved us. 20 Those who
say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters,[c] are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister[d]whom they have seen, cannot
love God whom they have not seen. 21 The
commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their
brothers and sisters[e] also.
Your
project: Change
the life of someone around you by showing them grace..
You
will come up with a plan for your project, then execute your plan. After
planning and executing, you will write a reflection.
Four
Options:
1.
God gives us
grace, and that grace is abundant—it is over the top. He is like Jean Valjean,
who longs to show Cosette, and later Marius, love, respect, and dignity. The
Bishop gave Jean Valjean the silver, which not only symbolized his freedom from
a return to jail, but went over the top—it was a gift of abundance.
- Give
someone an amazing, unexpected, abundant gift that has love bursting from
its seams. This object will be a symbol of the undeserved,
immeasurable gift of life and salvation, among other gifts, that God extends
to us.
2.
When Jean
Valjean adopted Cosette, his entire life changed. Parenthood requires
giving grace continually. Extend grace to someone with children.
- Spend
time with parents (can be your own parents or anyone else who has
children), and seek to discover how their lives have changed by having children.
If they are your parents, ask them how their lives are changing again, now
that you are becoming a teenager. Develop some good questions to ask in
advance.
- We
are commanded: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12).
What does living out this commandment look like in real life? Find a
way to seriously honor the parents you interact with for this project.
3.
It is
difficult to forgive, but we are expected to do so because God forgives us.
When the Bishop gives Jean Valjean the grace of forgiveness, it changes
the course of his life.
- Is there
someone that you have yet to forgive? Forgive that person from your
heart, and act in response to that forgiveness. Do something unique,
compose or create something symbolic and significant, that portrays your
love for that person and your eager desire to repent and seek
reconciliation.
4.
“We love
because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The Bishop’s grace to Jean
Valjean was an outpouring of the love he experienced from God. The Bishop
comes to represent the image of Christ for Jean Valjean.
- Has a
person been the image-bearer of Christ for you? Write that person a
letter or a poem, or a short story, or create a work of art for them, that
expresses gratitude for the grace you have received from God through that
person. Explain how you will live differently because of the grace
you have been given.
- OR:
Do you know someone who could use the influence of grace from Christ?
Think of a way to show that person love and grace in such a way that
will reveal Christ’s character to him or her. Consider writing a letter,
or composing a poem or story for them, or creating a work of art for them.
Your
Plan is due
in class on the last block day before finals. It must include:
- When
you will fulfill your plan.
- What
you will do.
- Why
you chose that.
- How
it will be an outpouring of grace.
*You may leave the names of people anonymous,
but you may include them if you wish for me to know. All material in your
project will stay completely confidential, unless you choose to share it with
the class in discussion.
Execute
your plan before you come back from Christmas break. You will write a
reflection on your project on the first day of the second semester.
**If
you have an idea that does not quite fit one of the four categories above, talk
to me after class about whether or not your idea will work.
Andrew Larson's plan
ReplyDeleteOPTION #2
1. I will fulfill this plan on 12/24-27
2. I will talk to parents over the break, I will talk to my parents and my grandparents. I will talk to them about how their life changed when they became a parent. I will also help out as much as possible, with food and chores.
3. I chose this because I don't see my grandparents a lot. I thought it would be a good idea to sit down and spend quality time with them.
4. I feel like it would be very selfish to call this "Grace". According to you and my bible teacher, grace is getting what you don't deserve. It would be very selfish and self centered to say that they don't deserve my help. I am doing this because it is my duty, not "giving they what they don't deserve". They deserve my help because we are family and high expectations are set for servanthood in a family.
I appreciate your reflection on "grace" versus "duty"--and I agree that there is a strong element of duty in how we relate to our parents. Maybe from talking to them, or reflecting before hand, you could consider how to fulfill your duty to them AND show them grace.
DeleteThis is absolutey beautiful
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBased on those memories, and based on how you "personalize" the gift, how could they also embody the principle of grace?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat will the questions be? What will the time look like? Is there something you can DO with them, or DO for them, that you know they enjoy, and that expresses grace toward them?
DeleteWhat Im going to do is spend time with my mom and I will see how her life has change since I'm in high school.
ReplyDeleteQuestions I will be asking are
1. How has your life change now that I'm in high school?
Did it even change your life or is it the same?
Think of more questions--make it an in-depth, meaningful time with them. Is there something you can DO for them or with them, other than just asking them questions? Something that you know they really like?
DeleteTia is very thoughtful I suppose
Delete*this
DeleteI will fulfill my plan over break and into the next year.I will try to get my own family and friends each a meaningful gift for the holiday. I chose this because I will be able to give people gifts and grace for everything they have done for me. I will try to give people thoughtful things and try to do as much as I can to the ones who have done so much to me. I will also be with God and devote the project towards him and do as much as I can to God for what he has done for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean by "thoughtful?" What will it look like, and how will it embody grace?
DeleteThis is very nice of you
DeleteFor my grace project I am going to make an art piece for my family that has a crayon melt and a verse about gratitude and thankfulness written on it. This is for me to remember and symbolize how my family is constantly extending grace towards me and my actions that are sometimes undeserving of grace, but they give it to me anyways. I will have one of my canvas' and hot glue the crayons to the canvas, melt them with a blow dryer, let it dry, and write the verse. The art will be made during winter break.
ReplyDelete"May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this." 2 Samuel 2:6 this is an outpouring of grace by me showing how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate their grace towards me.
This will be a lasting thing that you and your family can look at as a reminder for a long time--think carefully about how you do it, why you do every specific thing, and what you want it to express!
DeleteThis is a very cool and unique idea. I hope your family appreciates what your going to make.
DeleteBeholding the magesty of this brought a tear to my eye. Metaphorically speaking of course
DeleteMy proposal
ReplyDeleteFor my project I want to do option three and ask someone for forgiveness. This person I've wronged someone a lot and never really asked for forgiveness and this makes he feel bad. To ask this person for forgiveness I am going to make an iMovie. I will make the iMovie on December 29th and show the person on January 1st. This will be an outpouring of grace because it shows how much I want there forgiveness. I want to get forgiveness from this person because I have a really close relationship with them.
Sara Swing
Thanks for sharing--you are making something that could be really powerful for them. Think carefully about what goes into the movie, how you present it to them, the words you use, etc... this will be something that you both can look back to as a source for grace in the days ahead!
DeleteVery nice indeed; I hope it turns out well
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ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing--I like how you are thinking about both your own relationship, and the people around. Think of careful, intentional ways to use your words that move you and him outward toward supporting and encouraging other people.
DeleteI will be spending time with my parents. I will seek to discover how their lives of change since they had me and my sister.
ReplyDeleteI will be doing this over the course of Christmas Break.
I chose this because I want to see how my life has been affecting my parents and if I need to change.
It will be an outpouring of grace because, I will be spending time with my parents to find out if I need to change for them to make their life easier. If I do, I will change my actions to allow the happiness they deserve for all they have done.
Questions to Ask them
How has your life change since we are now basically teenagers?
How has your life Different from us being kids, and us being teenagers now?
Does this change benefit you guys, or not?
Would you rather have our younger selves than us right now?
Are your lives better with us being teenagers?
If we are a burden to you, what can do to change?
I love these questions, and how you are actively aiming at REPENTING--changing based on the conversation. Also, don't be afraid to ask simple, get to know you questions that can make the time joyful--your parents have a lot of life behind them, and you might be surprised at how much you don't know!
DeleteHey man I like how you are honoring your parents this break and serving them like you should but are you sure they shouldn't change also. What I'm saying is that you are growing up and changing and you shouldn't jyet stay the same kid for them that you've always been. You don't have to be a total rebel man, but don't stay a kid forever.
DeleteExquisite inquiries of the highest quality
DeleteOption 1
ReplyDelete1. I am going to fulfill this plan on Friday, December 19.
2. I am going to (attempt) to paint a picture of a sunset for my mom and give it t her for Christmas.
3. I chose to do this because my mom loves sunsets and I feel like a painting of a sunset from me will mean a lot to her.
4. I feel like my project is not necessarily an outpouring of grace from me. My mom always shows me grace and I want to thank her for that by doing this nice thing for her.
You might be surprised--this could very well represent grace to your mother. If you feel like it isn't, think about other things you could do to extend grace to an area of life in which she could use encouragement.
DeleteGood idea for a present.
DeleteVery fine idea indeed; I hope your artistic skills perform to their highest ability
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat will make it a "learning experience?" is there something you hope they will learn? Think carefully about what each gift might represent to the person.
DeleteHudson Mazza
ReplyDeleteI plan to honor my parents by expecting their decision and doing what they ask the first time. I plan to do this over break. I chose this because my parents have shown me that I am getting really sarcastic with them. This will pour out grace by showing respect.
The right way to say that is accepting their decision, not expecting their descision. If you say expecting, it gets confusing.
DeleteNice idea broseph; your parents will be proud I'm sure
DeleteWhen you will fulfill your plan.
ReplyDeleteOption 3
I will fulfill my plan by January 1 2015
What you will do.
I will spend time with my parents as suggested in number 3. I will ask them very thought full questions on what it is like to have a child.
Why you chose that.
I choose this one because I want to get closer with my parents
How it will be an outpouring of grace.
It will be an outpouring of grace because my parents will be so happy that I want to spend time with them.
My questions.
Why did you want to have a child?
What was your life like before having a child?
What is your life like now having a child?
Was there money issues when you after having the kid?
Did you get closer with God after having a child?
Did you want another one?
Why do you care about that child?
This sounds like it is a good plan but you could add on more questions like what was it like when you were a child?
DeleteThese questions are quite fine indeed. I do forsee much happiness in your family
DeleteFor my project I decided to personally make and or buy a present for each one of my family members that come to Christmas at our house. I will try and make each gift as personal as I can. I will make the gifts personal by choosing a present that reminds the person of a fun memory we had together. The gifts could be anywhere from a scrapbook to an item that represents the memory. I will fulfill my plan on the 20-21st of December. This will be an outpouring of Grace because it is going to make my family happy that I got them presents. The reason I want to do this is because I think it will be fun and a great learning experience. It will be a learning experience because I will know what it's like for my parents to buy people gifts for Christmas. I will also learn to take on the responsibility of doing that and not just having my parents buy the presents.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good idea
DeleteI'm glad you appreciate your family enough to bless them in such a way
DeleteI will do my plan over christmas break with a friend who is going through a lot right now and could actually use the gift rather than someone who is completely fine. I picked option one my plan is to give my friend a special gift by making up a witty way to surprise him with the gift. It will depend on what we are doing at the time, like hanging out; on how I will give the surprise to him. I chose this idea because I have done everything else on the list quite a few times and I think its time for something new. I think that the person who I am choosing is someone who hasn't been nice to me in the past and is going through a lot of stuff. This is what grace means; to give a great gift to someone undeserving with forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteI will fulfill my plan over Christmas break. I chose option 2,I will honor my parents. I chose this option because I realized I need to honor my parents more and help out more around the house. Since God provides us with an outpouring of grace I need to extend that to my parents by honoring them.
ReplyDeleteJamie Back
How will you honor them in a way that shows them GRACE--something over the top, not just making sure you do your chores, which is already your duty as a daughter anyway?
Delete
ReplyDeleteI am going to give one of my friends a gift that expresses how much of a friend they are to me. My unnamed friend will revive something that represents there return from their hardships they have faced for the past couple months and it will also represent how much I care for them. I choose this one because it seems to be the one that would cause the most impact on that person in my opinion. This will show grace to my friend by showing them even though times are tough there is still hope. I will fulfill this plan next week.
Willow Beast
Nice--think about how the gift will be personalized such that it shows them grace!
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ReplyDeleteWhat will the gift be? Why will it be appropriate for that person? How will it go beyond making them happy, and will show them grace?
DeleteMylyn Ngo
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
When you will fulfill your plan.
What you will do.
Why you chose that.
How it will be an outpouring of grace.
1. I plan to fulfill my plan over the break before January 2nd.
2. I plan to give an gift to my friend and his family. Right now, his grandma has cancer and is going under chemotherapy. With my gift, I hope that it may strengthen them and possibly bring them comfort as they go through stress and sadness.
3 & 4. I chose to do this as my project because I believe that it is nice to give something to someone. It doesn't matter who the person may be, even a smile can be a gift in which can brighten up someone's day.
Nice. How will the gift uniquely show grace to them, based on their struggles and personalities?
DeleteThats a really good idea nice job
DeleteWhen will you complete this plan?
ReplyDeleteI will complete this plan sometime after Christmas and before school
What will you do?
I plan to take my mom and I on a hike in Big Sur. She loves nature and it would honor her.
Why you choose that?
I choose this because ever since I was young my mom has been asking my family to go on hikes with her and spend quality time together but we always passed up the experience so I plan on fulfilling that quality time by taking her on a hike in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Big Sur.
Why this will be an outpouring of grace?
It will be a outpouring of grace because she always wanted to do this and I am going to do it with her. Also, this would be like a somewhat of a cleansing for our relationship.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI am doing option 2
DeleteI like how the idea is unique to your mother. You could show her even more grace by planning small, fun things to do while on your hike, or little notes and gifts you present her with while hiking.
DeletePhilanthropy at its finest
Delete1. I will fulfill my plan as as possible so I can get the best results
ReplyDelete2.i will spend as much time with my parents as possible so and ask them how their lives changed having children
3. I choose this be kade I want to become a lot closer with my family
4. This is an outpouring of grace by showing my family how much I care about them
RYAN ANDERSON
What else will you do, or what other questions will you ask, that will specifically show them grace? Having a plan for what the TIME spent looks like will make it more effective.
DeleteThis is pretty cool man
DeleteKenny Huynh
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
For my Les Miserables projects, I will be honoring my mother. I will do this by watching movies with her when she asks because she always asks me to and I usually say no. For me and my mom, the little things matter. I chose this because it would make my mom very happy and make our relationship healthier. I will do this by the end of Christmas break. This will be an outpouring of grace because I will be obeying my mom, honoring her, and spending time with her.
Nice--how can you surprise her by not only saying yes to watching a movie, but by surprising her with other little things--like popcorn, discussion of the movie afterward, or taking her out to a theater?! Go over the top!
DeleteChallenge accepted
Delete
ReplyDeleteI will execute my plan on Wednesday the 17th because that seems like an unexpected day to do something for someone else. I decided that do the first option which is giving an unexpected gift to the lady in the snack window. I chose to do this because in the story Les Miserables the bishop didn't know Jean Valjean at all when he showed him grace. I felt that if I did this, it would be somewhat of a parallel to the story and it will be a completely unexpected gift to someone who doesn't think they are going to get anything from any of the students. This will be an outpouring of grace because through this I will hopefully be able to bless someone I don't know and they will think they don't deserve it because of that factor.
I like this a lot. I'm curious to know what the gift will be, and how you will make sure she experiences it as grace!
DeleteNice contrast
DeleteLeo Ransler
ReplyDelete12/11/14
What I will do: Ask my parents how my their lives have changed by being parents.
Questions
1. How has your life changed since you became a parent?
Dad: You have to think beyond yourself and provide for more than yourself.
Mom: I worry about my babies all the time and my work loads have increased but I am happy to do it. It makes me happy to see my babies happy.
2. Was the effect positive?
Dad: Yes it was.
Mom: Yes it was.
3. Why did you think having children changed your life?
Dad: You have to buy a house and a car that holds more people buying groceries takes more thought you have to take in family trips and activities and schedule life around school.
Mom: It makes me put others first and I have a deeper understanding of the family of Jesus.
What is grace? Getting what you don't deserve
How is this an outpouring of grace?
This is an outpouring of grace because now that I know what being a parent is like, I can do stuff for them that they don't need but they would like to have.
I like how, after doing it, you say that you now have ideas for MORE ways of showing them grace!
Delete1. I will fulfill my plan on the day of Christmas.
ReplyDelete2. I will forgive my father for hanging out with his girlfriend too much and ignoring me.
3. I chose this because my father and I have had a bad relationship with him for the fast few days.
4. It will be an outpouring of grace because it will forgive my dad for the grudge I have kept between me and him.
Graysonmarshall
This is a good one, I really think it comes from deep down and it can be hard to forgive someone you have a grudge on.
DeleteGrayson, this is a hard situation, and I'm glad you shared it. I wonder how you could not only forgive him, but surprise him with a gift or note, or something over the top and abundance, that shows him grace--take him out to dinner or a movie, or show that you want to spend time with him by actually doing it!
DeleteI am going to spend time with my parents asking them how their lives have changed again now that I'm becoming a teenager. Some questions I am going to ask them are how do they view me know than when I was a little kid? How do they feel me being a teenager? How might they leave me with more responsibilities?
ReplyDeleteHow can you go beyond asking them questions, and surprise them with something OVER THE TOP? ABUNDANT?
DeleteMy plan is to give back to my parents, usually I don't get gifts for them in Christmas but this year I'm going to get them both a very good gift that comes from the heart, and means a lot to myself and my parents, this is in option 1. Riley Kafka Plan
ReplyDeleteWhat are you going to get them and how will this bean outpouring of grace?
DeleteVery nice plan. Good idea to give your parents so,etching thT comes from your heart. Very nice.
DeleteNice--think about how the gifts show GRACE, based on what you think they need to know or to hear!
DeleteI decided to pick the first option where I will give a gift to someone. This gift will have love and joy bursting from within its seems. I will give the gift and fulfill the plan by December 29th. The gift that I want to give my friend is an extremely detailed world globe with textured topography. I think he will love this gift. I also think he will receive a lot joy from receiving it. I chose this plan because I wanted to give my friend a gift to thank him for everything he does for me. This will be an outpouring of grace because it will be a generous and delightful gift. It will also be a favor to God
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious to see that you care deeply for your friend, and you want to show them that with this over the top outpouring of grace. Good plan, and I hope everything goes well.
DeleteNice--is this a gift based on what you know your friend will experience as grace?
DeleteI plan on trying to forgive people and also to give Christmas gifts to people who might not be able to have any. I plan on doing this plan over Christmas break. I chose this because it must be hard to not have that much and have to rely on others to support you. And it will be a good way of showing grace by giving gifts to people who might not deserve them. Kyle Galloway
ReplyDeleteMy project that I will be doing over the winter break, is I will be keeping the spirits up in my friend Jake who has just recently been in a tragic car accident. I will visit him when I can, and I will call him frequently. To prove that I will follow through with my project, I will video tape myself as I visit him in the hospital.
ReplyDelete-Parker Guy
My plan is going to be finished by Christmas Day.
ReplyDeleteI am going to give a gift to a friend.
I chose this because it is nice to see someone's joy from receiving grace. It also not necessarily a gift they deserve, yet you still give them grace.
I am not expecting a gift in return. What I hope for is joy that will come from the person receiving the gift.
I will fulfill my plan over brake. I choose the 2nd one because I want to have a conversation with my parents about how their lives changed with me. I chose this one because I am curious about how their lives change as I was born and as I got older. I want get closer to my parents.
ReplyDeleteThis is Conor Richardson
DeleteVery well thought out.it seems like you thought about subject for a long time. Very nice
DeleteI chose option 1
ReplyDeleteI will give someone in need a present. I will fulfill this by Christmas. I chose this because I think someone who doesn't usually get presents would've really happy if they got one. I a not expecting anything in return and it would be ice just to see a person's smile. This is grace because the person doesn't really think they will get a gift so they will be happy.
1.For my les miserable project I plan to give thanks to someone who has showed me grace.
ReplyDelete2 I will show my thanks through a letter that will discuss how she has changed my life in so many ways. This project will begin Christmas Eve due to a family tradition we have, called a novena. I also plan to sleepover at her house and instead of her taking care of me I will take care of her and cook food and do her nails or give her a massage and just make it a very relaxing time for her.
3. I choose to do this because my aunt, the person I am showing grace too, has done so much for me in my life. She has been with me since day 1 and no one treats me the way she does. She shows me so much love and I would say I can tell her anything.
4. This will be outpouring grace by showing her how much I love her. Grace given to her spreads and I know that the grace I give to her will spread as well.
-Hannah Locsin
This break I plan to honor my parents by helping out around the house and with my siblings instead of hiding away in my room and not being involved in family activitys and cleaning up messes around the house
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete1. I will fulfilling this plan during winter and will be doing it something during the break while I am in Korea.
2. I will be spending lots of time with my family especially my mom because I have not seen her for over 8 months so when I go back to Korea for winter break, I will be spending a lot of time with my family and we will be discussing a lot of different things while at Korea.
3. I chose this because like I mentioned above, I have not spent any time with my family lately because of the boarding school here so I will be spending time with my family end especially my mom.
4. It will be a outpouring of grace because I believe my mom really misses me a lot and I really miss her also. So by getting together as a family a lot during winter break and talking about my childhood and a lot of other stuff will get us back together better as a family.
Dennis yang