Eco Disciples Video Series

A Six-Part Creation Care Journey

Welcome to Eco Disciples. This series exists to help churches, youth groups and home groups, explore what the Bible says about caring for our planet, and how our faith calls us to take environmental action right here in Aotearoa.

Below you will find all six episodes of Eco Disciples, each with integrated discussion questions to help facilitate meaningful conversations. If you're planning to use the series in a small group, church, or for personal study, you can also request a copy of the full Discussion Guide PDF using the link below.

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If you would rather be outside than watching videos on a screen, then you can listen to the podcast version of Eco Disciples!

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If you've used Eco Disciples in multiple settings or with different groups, feel free to submit a separate response for each use.

Episode 1: Why Does Creation Matter to God?

Group Discussion Guide

  • Can you name a place in God’s Creation which fills you with awe and helps you feel close to God?

  • Genesis 1–2: God declares all of Creation to be “very good.” What motivates people to care for Creation today? Do you think the motivation is usually positive (love, gratitude, joy) or negative (fear, guilt, pressure)?

    Genesis 2:15: In the Creation story, humanity is placed in the garden “to work it and take care of it” (ngaki and tiaki). How have you seen this happen in the church and in the community?

    Psalm 19 & Romans 1: These passages describe Creation as revealing God’s glory and divine nature. In what ways does Creation help us understand who God is? How have you personally experienced God through the natural world?

  • For you personally: What resonated from the video for you? Where do you feel called to be involved and active with Creation Care?

    For the church: How does your church express its commitment to Creation care, in worship, and in action?

    For all creation: What is happening already in your community that cares for the local environment? How could you and your church be involved?

Next Steps

 

Episode 2: What Went Wrong — and Why It Still Matters

Group Discussion Guide

  • When you look at environmental issues in Aotearoa, which ones impact you most?

    Where do you see brokenness in the relationships between people, land, and God?

  • Genesis 3: How does mistrust of God affect relationships — with God, with one another, and with the land?

    Romans 8: What does it mean that creation "groans"?

    Colossians 1: This passage points to the reconciliation between us and God, people, and all of Creation. What stands out to you about the idea that restoration includes all of creation, not just people and God?

  • For you personally: Creation Care is often talked about as a task, but in this episode we talk about being "in relationship" with Creation. What changes for you when you think about creation as something you’re in relationship with, rather than something to manage or fix?

    For the church: How can the church acknowledge historic and current disconnection from whenua? What might honouring the wisdom from mana whenua look like where your church is and where you live?

    For all creation: God is committed to restoring relationships between us and God, people, and all of Creation. What practical actions help rebuild relationships with the land in your local area?

Next Steps

 

Episode 3: Jesus and the Good News for All Creation

Group Discussion Guide

  • What’s your garden like at home? Do you enjoy gardening, or do you tend to avoid it?

    When you think of gardens in the Bible, which stories stand out to you the most and why?

  • John 1: John tells us that all things were made through Christ. What difference does it make to imagine the Creator later walking and praying in the Garden of Gethsemane?

    Luke 4: How do you feel about the image of Jesus as a Gardener, cultivating restoration, untangling weeds, or bringing life where things need growth?

    Colossians 1: Christ is described as being the reconciler of ALL things. When you think of the contrast between Adam in Eden (rejecting God’s way) and Jesus in Gethsemane (embracing it), how does this shape your understanding of what "reconciliation" includes?

    Revelation 21: The Bible ends not in a return to the first garden, but in a renewed creation where God dwells with humanity. What signs of "new creation" do you see around you, however small?

  • For you personally: How does seeing Jesus as the restorer of ALL creation change or deepen your daily walk as a disciple?

    For the church: What specific practices might help your church join Jesus in renewing and keeping care of creation?

    For all creation: What would "good news" look like practically for the land, waterways, or ecosystems immediately surrounding your church building?

Next Steps

 

Episode 4: The Church has a Mission

Group Discussion Guide

  • What daily habits or routines do you have which reflect your care for God’s Creation?

    Can you think of someone whose lifestyle or choices inspire you toward simplicity, justice, or care for Creation?

  • Matthew 6: Jesus speaks about treasure, trust, and freedom from worry. How might these teachings reshape the way we live on the earth, what we buy, value, or pursue?

    Micah 6:8: “Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.” What are three actions that embody these ways of discipleship that reflect care for all of God’s creation?

    James 2:14–17: Faith and works belong together. What are some ways that you could worship in God’s creation, while actively caring for God’s creation?

    Galatians 5: Which fruit of the Spirit (e.g., gentleness, self-control) most challenges or encourages you as you consider caring for Creation?

  • For you personally: Where do your current habits align with an eco-disciple life? Where do they clash (e.g., consumption, waste, travel choices, pace of life)? What one change feels both meaningful and possible?

    For the church: Caring for God’s Creation is one of the Five Marks of Mission. How do you see the wider church in Aotearoa stepping into this calling today?

    For all creation: If your youth group or church lived out eco-discipleship more intentionally, what tangible difference might it make to the whenua, waterways, and neighbourhood around you?

Next Steps

 

Episode 5: Is There Hope?

Group Discussion Guide

  • Where have you seen a church community or youth group practice creation care or ecological restoration exceptionally well?

  • Acts 2:42–47: The early church shared life, resources, and daily practices. What is special and powerful about shared rhythms and shared environmental practices for a community or group?

    Jeremiah 29:4–7: God calls the people in exile to “seek the peace and prosperity” of the place where they live. Who do you know in your local community who intentionally does this for your local environment?

    1 Peter 4:8–10: We are called to use our gifts to serve others. How might the unique technical, artistic, or practical gifts in your church contribute directly to caring for creation?

    Hebrews 10:23–25: How can encouraging one another actively strengthen your church’s commitment to hope-filled, practical creation care when eco-anxiety hits?

  • For you personally: What specific gifts, interests, or vocational passions do you possess that could contribute to caring for Creation?

    For the church: What could your congregation do together that individuals cannot do alone? Which area feels most energising: worship, buildings, land, waste, hospitality, or local community partnerships?

    For all creation: Where are the biggest ecological challenges and opportunities right outside the back doors of your neighborhood?

Next Steps

 

Episode 6: Planting Seeds of Hope

Group Discussion Guide

  • When you look at the overall state of the planet or hear about climate disruption, what emotions primary arise in you — hope, grief, frustration, or determination?

  • Psalm 13: How does biblical lament help us face, process, and engage with modern environmental harm truthfully without losing heart?

    Lamentations 3:19–26: In the midst of devastation, the writer remembers God’s faithfulness. How can we hold the tension of both grief and hope as we engage with local creation care?

    Romans 5:1–5: Paul describes hope that grows directly through perseverance. What does “perseverance” look like for long-term ecological restoration projects in your region?

    Revelation 22:1–5: What stands out to you in the visions of a renewed creation? How is biblical, embodied hope fundamentally different from passive, wishful thinking?

  • For you personally: Where do you feel the weight of lament in relation to the environment? What gives you grounded hope when the news cycle feels heavy?

    For the church: How can your church or youth ministry intentionally nurture true, resilient hope for young people facing ecological anxiety?

    For all creation: After finishing this series, what has shifted in your understanding of why and how we should care for God's creation as an act of standard Christian discipleship?

Next Steps

Eco Disciples was written and presented by James Beck with production support from the amazing team at A Rocha. Eco Disciples was filmed, and produced by Joel Tempero with production support from James Beck. Drone footage created by Stephen Procter - check out his book! Music provided by Marcus Burton & Cameron Finlay. Ngā mihi ki te A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand Team and The Eco Church Team. Eco Disciples is a resource created by A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand with support from The Wilberforce Foundation.