Small Group Meeting notes - 1st May 2001 Encouragement and healing Welcome Worship Word Prepare one or two people to share a particularly exciting time with God, perhaps a Christian or family holiday where they were inspired to serve God with renewed vigour. Read John 21v1-17 Feeling let down by Jesus? * How do you think the disciples were feeling before they saw Jesus? Spend some time remembering the costly 3 years of sacrificial service they had dedicated to Jesus, describe a few miracles as they saw them, then the events remembered over the Easter period. * Why were they fishing? How successful were they at fishing? Ask someone to describe a situation in which they have been let down by Jesus. * How did Jesus meet them in their situation and feelings? Why? * Has he ever done this to you? * What should our response be when Jesus meets us when we are feeling like this? NOTES: When we think we have been let down by Jesus, or we think we are failing in what we are doing Jesus comes to us and asks us to obey him ("try the other side of the boat"). Sometimes we are doing the right thing (almost) and getting nowhere, Jesus re-focuses us on his way of doing things and it begins to work better. Letting Jesus down Read John 18v15-18, 25-27, provide a bit of background context to the story. * How do you think Peter is feeling on the beach (warming himself beside another charcoal fire)? Ask someone to describe a situation in which they have let Jesus down * How does Jesus heal Peter's guilt and shame (inner hurt)? * How can we help each other receive this type of healing? NOTES: Sometimes we know that we have let Jesus down, and the guilt and shame stay deep down inside us. Perhaps a recurring sin that you seem never to be able to shift, or a grudge against someone that you cannot forgive, or a life decision that has been in disobedience to Jesus. Sometimes we have not asked for forgiveness, sometimes we have but we do not really believe Jesus has forgiven us. Jesus wants to deal with this guilt and shame, we can help each other receive forgiveness through confessing our sins and blessing each other (being accountable to each other). Witness Divide the group into pairs (preferably into your prayer partners who pray together weekly - if you have not set these up yet pray and ask Jesus to show you if now is a good time to start them). Ask each other the following questions: * What image of Jesus do you find helpful when you think of God coming to you to help you (Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, The rock, Living Water, Bread of Life, etc)? * What is the significance of this image to you? * Where would Jesus be in this image in relation to you (in front, behind, beside, above below, etc.)? One at a time say the following prayer, inserting the appropriate words. After one person has said the prayer, the other person should pray for the first one, preferably, but not necessarily, out load. "Lord, right now I need you to come to me as (the Prince of Peace), and to be (facing me)" * Every member in ministry - Every member feeling they have a ministry and role key to revival. * Every member growing - Every person taking responsibility for their personal holiness and growth in their walk with Christ.