Reviewing

REVIEWING

CONNECT - for mid-week/Home League groups

Worship Session - Special Days

The new year - this time of year can be exciting, with amazing opportunities - and a little bit scary!

Summary

Share a time when God has been faithful
Play an observational quiz
God's promise - that he will never leave us or forsake us

Ask members to bring objects that remind them of an occasion when they recall God being especially been good or faithful to them
Cut card into bookmark sizes and provide pens / felt tips/ craft materials
Prepare to show the video clips ‘Reviewing the situation’ and ‘You hold it all together’
Fill a bag with everyday objects; you may also wish to provide pens and paper
Print question sheets for each member and provide pens
You may wish to provide a prize(s) for the quiz

Additional resources

‘Reviewing the situation’ quiz

BOOKMARKS

Give each member a bookmark-shaped card and encourage them to create their own bookmark including the text ‘Be strong and courageous’ from Joshua 1:6.

QUIZ

Do an observational quiz. Play the video of the song ‘Reviewing the situation’ from the 1968 musical Oliver! and encourage members to watch closely!

Hand out the quiz questions, to be answered by individuals or in teams.

Afterwards play the clip again, pausing at the appropriate times to give the answers; the answer sheet has a guide to times. You could give a prize to the winner … or the member most engaged in the quiz!

Alternatively you could play a clip from a favourite movie (2-3 mins) and prepare your own question sheet.

MEMORY GAME

Pull out your everyday objects from your bag one at a time for a few seconds each. Then see how many can be recalled by the group. Alternatively give time for each person to write down or note on their mobile how many things they can remember.

You may wish to integrate this activity with the Bible reading/thought. Members may have brought along objects that remind them of an occasion when God has been especially good or faithful to them in the past. Ask them to share with the group the story behind the object.

For example:

A hospital bracelet or a medical appointment card (surviving illness or surgery)
An award or certificate (God-given ability or support of God through others)
A wedding ring or gift (God provided a good partner or has helped on your journey of life together

Joshua 1:1–6 NIV

We are at the beginning of a new year, and this brings us the opportunity to learn from the past by reviewing the year that has gone before. We can learn much from our successes but often we learn much more from our mistakes.

When it comes to our faith in God, we can take great comfort from the promise that God has given each one of us – that he will never leave us or forsake us.

The truth is, we do not enter the future alone – God is with us! Neither do we step into the unknown empty-handed; we have the confidence our faith in God gives us.

When Moses died, it was the end of an era for the Israelites. It was time for a new leader to take on his mantle and lead the children of Israel into the promised land.

Joshua, Moses’ assistant, became the new leader and was probably a bit scared at the prospect and fearful of what the future may hold. But God spoke to him and told him not to be afraid. God told Joshua that as he had been with Moses, so he would be with him. This was not only the promise of God’s presence but also the promise of his power.

God had been faithful to Moses and the children of Israel in some scary and difficult days. He had always proved to be more than equal to any challenge. He had rescued them time and time again. He had been patient and generous in so many ways. The message to Joshua was to remember this and draw strength and confidence from the promise that this same God would be just the same for him as he stepped into his unknown future.

You may wish to let people share their stories of God’s goodness and faithfulness at this point … and after each story say these words,

‘As God has been with (name) so he will be with you!’

As we look back and see how good and faithful God has been over this past year, let it be a means of strength and courage as we step out into our own unknown.

We may not know the future, but we can know and so trust the one who holds the future!