Page 9 - Contact Winter 2015

Small Groups “ I’m Niall and this is my frst year in an Ignite small group - which I’m really excited about. This year, with Lisa and Stuart, we’re going to be learning more about God in a fun, settled and easy-going manner. It’s also good that there is no pressure and it’s so relaxed, as we read the Bible, pray and have lots of fun and food! Niall Pogue (Year 8) I help to lead the Year 9 (second year in old money) small group in Ignite. We have an amazing group of young people in High Kirk and to be able to help lead them is an amazing opportunity. We meet one Sunday evening a month. In tried and tested small group fashion, we start of with food and good old fashioned banter, whether that be games, sitting chatting, or telling “yo-momma” jokes with a former assistant minister in the Oasis (a crazy night, you had to be there). Then we move on to the real reason we have these evenings, talking about God. Last I’m Amy! I’m year 11 and my small group leaders are Naomi and Cliford. In year we had asked the guys to send in any questions they might have about small groups we have a lot of good craic and we all get on very well. We are their faith and we were blown away with some of the conversations we going to be studying either a book or character of the Bible this year. I enjoy were able to have with them. We covered topics such as faith, creation vs being able to open up with everyone there as we get on as a group so well evolution and what it means to be a Christian. and I hope that we would strengthen our friendships and our relationships with God throughout the year ahead! This year we are hoping to work through set bible studies, in the hope that Amy Turner (Year 11) the young people in our group, as well as us as leaders, will be able to go deeper in our faith. Even though our group is young, we believe that God I’m Kirsten! I am in the group for year 12 to year 14 (obviously the best!). has big plans for us all and we are buzzing to fnd out what those plans are. We have a really close group and this year we have the fab Andrew and Adam Pogue (Leads Year 9) Katherine Dickson as our leaders! We are all very excited for the year ahead, to get to see what God is planning to do with us and in us. I just hope that throughout the year that we won’t lose focus (especially with their new In Small Groups, the frst thing we would do when we arrive would be chatting for the frst 10-15 minutes. Then we would be asked, “Who wants baby daughter!) throughout our small groups since we only get to meet food?” and we eat for 10-15 minutes. After this, we would play a game like once a month. I would love to see everyone become more self-confdent, Pictionary or a quiz, which would last for about 20 minutes. After we have especially in their faith, whether it is from doing a talk or sharing something done that we would have a discussion about a passage from the Bible and we’ve been learning, or even fnding courage to pray with someone they Philip McCartney would picture for us what would be happening, in this wouldn’t normally talk to or pray with. Also, I dream that one day my small passage, at the time. We would take the story deeper to fnd out what really group will accept me that I am the only Dunclug member… tough times! happens because most people would just read it, but not carefully. We would Kirsten Collins (Year 12) talk about this for 20-30 minutes. At the end, we would then pray as a group and would leave it open for anybody to pray and then Philip or Sylvia would 1 Thessalonians 5:11 instructs us to “encourage one another and build each end in prayer. other up”. As Andrew and I embark on a new year of leading the 5th - U6th small group, we are really looking forward to applying and living out this I enjoy chatting to my friends at small groups so I can catch up on what they verse with our group. The 5th - U6ths are a brilliant mix of guys and girls, all have been doing. I also like doing the games because we have such a laugh uniquely gifted and each one bringing their diverse joy-flled personalities to and a really good time and I also like the Bible study session at the end, the night. This year in small group we are excited to journey together in life, because it helps me stay fully focused on God. explore God’s word, share lots of laughter, serve others, prayerfully support one another, whilst having lots of fun! As we look forward to the year ahead My hopes for small groups this year is that everyone who takes part (including we are praying expectantly as a group for each one of us to encounter even myself) will either have a stronger faith in God or come to have faith in God. more of our living God and to be open to all that He has in store for us It would also be great to see more people going to small groups, our group (individually and as a group). Andrew and I are blessed to learn and receive already has quite a few, but it would be nice to see new faces at small groups. so much from the young people and love spending this time together with Finally it would be great to see people who are more confdent about saying them. If you are between 5th - U6th then please do come along; we’d love they are a follower of Jesus - this is one thing I am hoping to develop myself to welcome you in! this year in small groups. Katherine Dickson (Leads Years 12 to 14) Philip Montgomery (Year 10) “