2. Paint the images of the text before your inner eyes as vividly as possible

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1 Smallgroup Program ICF Zurich, Sunday, 10 th May 2015 The BIBLE The Poetry of the Bible ICE BREAKER BIBLE QUIZ: How many Psalms are there in the Bible? Who is thought to be the author of most Psalms? Which is the longest Psalm? Which word is used most in Psalm 119? Which Psalm does the song "By the Rivers of Babylon" refer to? Which Psalm is quoted most in the New Testament? THE BIBLE 26/04/15 The Power of the Bible 03/05/15 The Stories of the Bible 10/05/15 The Poetry of the Bible 17/05/15 Guest Speaker Mike Pilavachi 24/05/15 The Prophecy of the Bible 31/05/15 The letters of the Bible 07/06/15 Stories after the Bible Also watch the weekly small group video message of the Smallgroup Blog. SUMMARY OF THE MESSAGE Definition: Poetry = composition, work of art PSALM 139:5-6 You have closed me in from behind and in front. And You have laid Your hand upon me. All You know is too great for me. It is too much for me to understand! (New Life Version) 1. God speaks to your heart through poetry The 5 classic poetic books: Psalms, Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Job PSALM 1:6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (New International Version) PROVERBS 23:29-35 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. They hit me, you will say, but I m not hurt! They beat me, but I don t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink? (New International Version) 2. Paint the images of the text before your inner eyes as vividly as possible PSALM 74:13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. (New International Version) PSALM 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! (New International Version)

2 PSALM 18:29-30 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. (New International Version) 3. Come to God with your feelings PSALMS OF VENGEANCE ARE DECLARATIONS TO GOD OF A RENUNCIATION OF VENGEANCE Psalm 58:6-10 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions! Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short. May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns whether they be green or dry the wicked will be swept away. The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. (New International Version) REFLECTION / SHARING Today we will become a level more honest and leave behind the religious veil of speaking well. Speak about your personal Psalms of Vengeance and let go of your emotions! The following questions can help to bring out the Psalms of Vengeance What have you not been able to understand for a long time? What do you find unfair? What issue has personally made you sick for a long time? What has been burdening you for years which you would like to bring to God unfiltered? Which promise do you think does not apply to your life yet? Why? ACTION STEPS Now each person can take time to write down the mentioned topics on the attached page my Psalms of Vengeance. Be courageous with the choice of words. God understands each person as no one else can and he also knows our personal thoughts. PRAYER For the prayer of the personal Psalm of Vengeance it makes most sense to do this in pairs. Take turns pouring out your hearts to God and by doing this open up your emotions to him. Then take time to listen to God.

3 Smallgroup program ICF Zurich HEARTBEAT for Smallgroup leaders THE BIBLE Finally the time has once again come for us to focus on God s word in the coming 7 weeks. Use this opportunity and encourage the whole Smallgroup to bring along their personal Bibles. We will often read in it and encourage each other to regularly discover new treasures from God s word. Best wishes, Your Smallgroup team Preparation: Test your goals: (1) The goal of the small group work is to help people strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus and live in real fellowship with one another. (2) Which people in my small group do I encourage to be leaders? Which opportunities to practice do I provide for them? (3) Which goal do I set for the small group meeting? Apply these three values to your small group: Community, experiencing God, multiplication (internal and external growth). Consider how these three values are put into practice in the next small group meeting. Pray for your small group: - Pray for your members and their concerns. - Pray that each has an encounter with God and that you may all achieve your goals together. - Consciously submit yourself under God s leadership so that the evening may take place according to his will. Plan your small group meeting: - Consider what you will delegate (administration, hospitality/food, prayer, worship, input ). - Everybody should be informed where and when the meeting is taking place. Communication is a matter of leadership! Count on God s presence: For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 Auflösungen vom BIBEL-QUIZ: How many Psalms are there in the Bible? 150 Who is thought to be the author of most Psalms? King David Which is the longest Psalm? Psalm 119 Which word is used most in Psalm 119? decrees Which Psalm does the song "By the Rivers of Babylon" refer to? Psalm 137 Which Psalm is quoted most in the New Testament? Psalm 110

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