Small Group Meeting notes - 29th May 2001
God is in control?


Welcome



Worship




Word

Tonight is a story telling evening, reading the story of Esther, as a novel.  It is a story of how God is in control and uses everyday people in quite challenging situations.

1.  Story telling (45 mins)
Read the book of Esther, in the style of a story.  You could ask one person to prepare and read it all, or split it into segments and ask different people to read each bit - be imaginative in how you choose to do this in your group.

Pause for reflection and thought and any immediate feedback and comments between each segment of the story, you choose how often you do this.  At each pause ask people to share what they are thinking.

You might like to add the following thoughts in these pauses:
* Esther was chosen to be a prostitute of the King
* This story happened in 488 BC, 30 years before the return of the Israelites from Babylon, Ezra and Nehemiah.
* King Xerxes had the power of life and death at his command, Esther could have been sentenced to death if she did something that did not please him.
* Queen Vashti disagreed with the King and was dismissed.

2.  Discussion (15 mins)
Identify the following 4 seasons of Esther's activities in the story:

Winter - A season when we seek God and grasp his purposes for us.
What was happening to Esther in her winter season?
What is it like when God leads you into a winter season?  How do you cope?

Spring - A season when God's vision for us is nurtured and prepared.
What was happening to Esther in her spring season?
What lessons can we learn from Esther about how to be patient during this time?

Summer - A season of activity doing the things God has prepared us for.
What was happening to Esther in her summer season?
How can you make sure that you are still following God during a summer season?

Autumn - A season of reaping the results of God's purpose for us.
What was happening to Esther in her Autumn season?


If you are struggling with your walk with God, ask him which season you are in and what the next steps might be.

Witness

In which "seasons" should we be willing to talk about our experiences to our friends?

The correct answer is all of them, at the right level of detail.  A life with God consists of all these experiences, not just the times when there is visible success, this is a powerful (balanced) witness of real life.





* Jesus at the Centre - Meeting with Jesus at core. Only Jesus changes people.
* 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.
* Multiplication - The spreading of the gospel and making disciples at the heart of groups.
* Sacrificial love - Jesus demonstrated love by sacrifice. His the challenge to all.
* Honesty - Honesty is the lifeblood of community and the doorway to Christian growth.