Storyboard: The Parable of the Arrogant Astronaut

Meeting guide 1

PREPARATION:
www.whatsfordinner.net
www.mysteryphotos.com

'If we are the body'
www.youtube.com

NOTES FOR ADAPTING

FOR YOUNGER GROUPS
For more lively activity, lengthen the ‘Timing is everything’ game and leave out ‘Mission
Statement’.

FOR OLDER GROUPS
Let two groups do ‘Not what it says’, and two do ‘Checklist’, simultaneously – then report back to
everyone what they’ve discovered. This allows extra time for whole-group discussion. Instead of
the ‘Timing’ game, show this clip www.youtube.com.

FOR UNCHURCHED YOUNG PEOPLE
The topic is difficult for uncommitted young people, but approach it from the angle ‘Here’s what
this church is trying to be…’ and ‘If you did become a Christian, you wouldn’t just be sitting
around singing hymns…’ Communicate the excitement of risky, radical, other-directed living. Be
prepared for the objection ‘Why can’t Christians just let people alone to believe whatever they
want?’ Instead of ‘Big Idea’ questions, discuss: How would it change my life, practically, if I had
these priorities? How would our group look if it became a mission-centred community? Where
would we go first? What would be our key activities?

FOR CHURCHED YOUNG PEOPLE
Before studying Acts, it might be worth listening to their ‘church’ experiences which have shaped their expectations. Be prepared for the question: if that’s what the church is for, why are many churches so unlike this?

Meeting Guide 2

NOTES FOR ADAPTING

FOR YOUNGER GROUPS
Invite people from the church to be interviewed about ways they have seen God transforming
lives. Ask group to draw a simple map of their neighbourhood from memory to see which
parts feature most in their thoughts.

FOR OLDER GROUPS
Do a community profile of your local area. Use helpful websites such as www.infed.org,
www.upmystreet.com, www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk, www.statistics.gov.uk

FOR UNCHURCHED YOUNG PEOPLE
Focus on the reaction of the crowd. What things made them interested in Jesus? Also focus
on the last paragraph describing the early church. If you knew of a community that acted like
this how would that make you feel?

FOR CHURCHED YOUNG PEOPLE
Find examples of God transforming groups and communities to inspire your group. Some examples can be found at www.faithworks.info. Encourage people to prayer walk the neighbourhood in groups.

Meeting Guide 3

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

Jesus first followers do good www.youtube.com

Jesus followers doing good in 2011 www.youtube.com.

NOTES FOR ADAPTING

FOR YOUNGER GROUPS
Use Where’s Wally pictures from the Internet to introduce the idea of looking closely to see something. When attempting to perceive God’s voice we need to look closely at situations and listen carefully for his wisdom from his Spirit and word.

FOR OLDER GROUPS
Give each group member a Bible and turn through the pages together remembering God’s intervention through history to intervene and bring healing to his people.

FOR UNCHURCHED YOUNG PEOPLE
Watch and discuss a healing caught on video – ‘God made my leg grow’ and the newspaper report. See
www.youtube.com and www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham

FOR CHURCHED YOUNG PEOPLE
Look at the stories of healing resulting from prayer being offered on the streets around the UK. See ‘Is this the God you know?’

www.eauk.org
www.winhealing.org.uk
www.healingonthestreets.co.uk
out-there.org