Suggested Event Plans

Scripture & Violence discussion guides and other resources can be used at online and in-person events of different lengths, and in various different combinations.

Here are some examples, but feel free to create your own event plan to match your group’s interests.

Note: You may find it helpful to have participants watch some of our introductory videos before the event. We have also found that discussions go particularly well when participants read through the discussion guides that will be used and spend some time thinking about the questions in them in advance. This is optional, however.

Sample Event Plan 1: Half-Day Workshop

Some groups might like to start with a half-day workshop, including one Scripture Discussion module and one real-world Case Study.

Total duration of this event: approx. 3.5 hours.

Suggested event plan:

  • Welcome (5 minutes)

  • Introductions or icebreaker (15 minutes)

  • Exploration of a violent-sounding scriptural text using a Scripture Discussion Guide (60 minutes)

  • Break (20 minutes)

  • Discussion of a real-world case study about scripture and violence using a Case Study Discussion Guide (60 minutes)

  • Open conversation about the issues (30 minutes)

  • Wrap-up and future plans (10 minutes)

Sample Event Plan 2: Scripture Discussion Series

Some groups might enjoy a series of 3-6 scripture discussion sessions, focusing on a different passage each time.

Total duration of each event in the series: 1-2 hours.

Suggested event plan:

  • Welcome (5 minutes)

  • Introductions or icebreaker (10-15 minutes)

  • Slideshow or other teaser to the scripture topic (5 minutes)

  • Small group discussion of the scriptural text, using a Scripture Discussion Guide (45 minutes)

  • Sharing insights and questions as a large group (20 minutes)

  • Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Sample Event Plan 3: Mix-and-Match Series

You could also organize a mix-and-match series of events, including some scripture discussion sessions, and some real-world case study sessions.

Total duration of each event in the series: 1-2 hours.

Suggested event plan:

  • Welcome (5 minutes)

  • Introductions or icebreaker (10-15 minutes)

  • Slideshow or other teaser to the topic (5 minutes)

  • Small group discussion, using a Scripture or Case Study Discussion Guide (45 minutes)

  • Sharing insights and questions as a large group (20 minutes)

  • Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Sample Event Plan 4: Scripture and Violence Book Chapter

Some groups might enjoy reading chapters of the book Scripture and Violence together and discussing them. Discussion guides for each chapter are available here.

Total duration of each event in the series: 1 hour.

Suggested event plan:

  • Welcome (5 minutes)