The Cupid Shuffle and SHIPS!


Good  Day Blog Followers!

Today, we had the honor of sharing with the women of Ridgeways Baptist Church (RBC). We were invited by the leadership team to introduce and kick-off their cross-generational Mentorship Ministry.  We were humbled by the invitation.
Scripture Reference:  One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty works.  Psalm 145:4, ESV

Ken-Ya Believe we used the Cupid Shuffle to teach the women about relationSHIPS, discipleSHIP and mentorSHIP?  Well, that's exactly what we did.  We decided that the best way to discuss mentoring is to present the greatest mentor ever known to man (Jesus Christ) and His most dominant characteristic, that being love. (love, represented by cupid's arrow).
Scripture Reference:  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:24, ESV; If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  1 Corinthians 13:1, ESV

By nature, people of African descent love to dance so we chose Cupid's Shuffle as an object lesson to model the SHIPS (discipleSHIP, mentorSHIP and relationSHIP)!  We demonstrated the steps, without the music, along with several volunteers.  Once the small group was comfortable with the steps we queued the music and invited the rest of the ladies to join us on the dance floor (dance grass).  It was awesome to see women of all ages, dancing, laughing, bumping into one another and adding their own steps.
Scripture Reference:  And David danced before the Lord with all His might.  2 Samuel 6:14, ESV

DiscipleSHIP - The ladies that volunteered to learn the steps FIRST were charged with the task of assisting the other women with getting the steps right, once the music began.  As the dancing continued we observed the larger group searching for ladies who had already mastered the steps.  Four ladies were selected to move to the front in order to assist those who were still struggling.  The ladies who were struggling now had a living, breathing and tangible example to follow.  They could ask clarifying questions, at any time, with the confidence of being steered in the right direction.  Such is the case with discipleship.  As Christ Followers, we are charged with the task of studying, learning and living out the word of God in our daily lives, for others to see.  As others observe our walk with Christ, as well as our  interactions with others it causes them to wonder and inquire about the source which sets us apart.
Scripture References: So that people may see and know, may consider and understand; that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.  Isaiah 41:20, ESV.  You are the salt of the earth. Matt. 5:13, ESV

MentorSHIP - "Mentoring is a multi-faceted process that is based upon a relationship that opens our lives as mentors to the person that we are mentoring or vice versa.  This relationship draws them into our world where we intentionally teach and equip them to in turn make disciples.  The people we mentor ought to be the primary focus of our ministry, with the programs and crowds as secondary focus.  Always, the mentorship must point to God and His power, not to any accomplishments or wisdom of the mentor.  But, all of this is worthless without passion for the person.  Remember, it's not what we've done that matters as much in the end as who we've brought." The Mentorship Handbook: A Guide for SLA Chapters and Divisions to Establish Mentorship Programs.  
Scripture Reference:  Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.  Proverbs 27:17, ESV

RelationSHIP - At the beginning of the day, none of the ladies knew how to do the Cupid Shuffle so the playing field was level.  Each lady began the day as a beginner and a learner, which created the opportunity to develop new relationships, as well as the reinforcement of old friendships.  With each step, confidence and comfortability levels increased.  When one of the ladies missed a step, other women provided support and encouragement, without condemnation and/or judgement.  As a result, the ladies were able to laugh AT themselves, laugh WITH one another and the dancing continued.
Scripture References:  And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  2 Tim. 2:2, ESV

There was one communal goal which was to learn the steps quickly, to become "one" synchronized body and to have fun.  One love, one body!  Mission accomplished!  Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!  Psalm 133:1, ESV

Cupid and Ships!





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