Small Group Outline
Thursday, October 19, 2000
Snack & Chat
Opening Prayer
Group Stuff
Refer to wheel…
What kinds of ways are there to "talk to God"? Are those the only ways?
Revisit ministry. Pastor Appreciation Month
Worship
What do you do with the way your life has played out (if you’ve had some really dark times) or with the way other people’s lives have turned out? What do you do with tragedies like the Holocaust? Or children who are starving, neglected, or abused? In the book it says that the bad stuff going on, "often suggest(s) that the real script of the play we’re all living is is ‘God is indifferent’ rather than ‘God is love’ (p 50). Have you ever felt that way? Is it "ok" to express thoughts like these?
Many godly men and women have had serious doubts about God. The reality is that we probably all have doubts. We just may not let the questions get close enough to the surface to come out. (David 1 Sam 13:14) or Job Job 1:1, 3)
Usually in our worship, we focus on saying the words that we "want" to believe and hope we believe deep down inside. Tonight, let’s turn our hearts to God in worship with different words… words of confusion, fear, anger, and pain.
Round-Robin Reading from Psalms
Sacred Romance (The Wildness of God)
Read, refer, and/or discuss the book of Job. Summarize the story.
"What do you make of the behind-the-scenes story of Job, where God and Satan essentially battle it out through the life of this unsuspecting man? Do you like it?" (W 71)
"After admitting his outrage and anxiety over how God treated Job, Brent confessed that what he really wanted to do was ‘ask for a much smaller part in the play than Job had; or possibly even a role in a more off-Broadway producation that I could help direct. You know, somethingk like God Helps Brent Pursue Money, Wealth, and Fame While Living a Quiet Life" (p. 54) Can you relate?’ (W 75)
If you could write a storyline for your life similar to what Brent suggests, (a really honest gut-level, not at all spiritual plot) what would it be for you? What would be the theme? What kind of characters would the story have? What would the title be?
Job 1:5; 3:23 Why was Job so carefully observant?
Household gods: A+B=C Mobster illustration from the book.
Have you ever known anyone who thought that way? Have you ever thought something similar?
Why do people think this way?
Eliphaz’ statement (paraphrased on p. 52)
Prayer
Written out prayer from (W 51) Have someone read.
Housekeeping
Application / reflection card
Snacks next week?