Next Network Night - Sat 22nd Dec 7.30pm

Twas the night before, the night before, the night before Christmas

"Twas the night before the night before the night before Christmas (i.e the 22nd December), when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse....

Just kidding! On 22nd December we'll be having a very simple, very festive and very chilled out Network Night for everyone 18 and upwards. We'll be taking some time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to listen to Rick Hill as he shares some of his thoughts, to spend time catching up with one another on the build up to Christmas, and to enjoy a bit of festive food too. Following lots of feedback from November's Network Night, we're going to simplify the programme and leave plenty of time to catch up and chat with one another.

Note the new earlier start time - 7.30pm for Christmas refreshments and programme starts at 8pm. We are aiming to finish by 9.30pm! Do feel free to bring your mates along as well! The more the merrier!

We hope you can make it to Network Night on 22nd December - it will be a chance to relax, unwind, chill out and enjoy one another's company a couple of days before Christmas! If you have any ideas on what else you would like to see at this coming Network Night or another other Network Nights throughout the year, do let us know. See you on 22nd Dec!"

What's next at network?

It's been a while since our last post . . hope you are all ok and keeping well. Just need to update you on some stuff that is happening over the next few weeks in the run up to Christmas. . . . The next network night is Sat 22nd Dec - so do come and join us for a special celebration of Christmas and our speaker is going to be Rich Hill. We will have a NEW start time - we will be starting at 7.30 for tea/coffee and mince pies and the programme will be starting at 8pm. We are aiming to finish the evening by 9.45 at the latest . . so get your baby sitter booked and come on down . . . More information will follow later in the week!

Tim

Network Night on Sat night!

We are starting to get excited and looking forward to the second of our Network celebration nights. Dont forget to attend! Sat 10th Nov at 8pm in Muckamore Pres Church. We have a special guest speaker and it would be fantastic to have you with us!

As part of the night we will be talking about some future plans for network including a possible visit to Worship Central (London) in March and a possible network weekend in April 2008. The plans are being laid and we are going to be seeing if you are interested in this . . . . .

Look at the stuff below for more info . . .

See you there

Tim

Baa Baa Black Sheep

No we haven't gone mad!
The next network night takes place on Sat 10th Nov at 8pm
Come and join us!

Tim

Second bible studies

Hi there folks,
Apologies that the second bible study group is only going up now - I had a few problems with the web site and then have been ill for a while and unable to fix all the issues. I think most of them are now fixed and things are back on track!

There is a special page set aside for all the things that you can download about network. You can get to it here!

I hope that your group is going well and that you have started to look for opportunities for getting other people involved and into your group!

Mark or I will be visiting each of the groups over the next few weeks to hear how things are going!

All the best and look out for more information about the next network night!
Tim

That's My King

This is the video that Mark used at the end of his talk on Sat night! Click here to watch it again!

Looking back to the first network night!

Hi folks
I hope that you had a good night with us on Saturday! It was a good way to kick off the first of our network nights. If you would like to see the powerpoint, some pictures or a wee video that I have put together from the night then click here .

The next network night is Sat 10th November - so plan to be there from 8pm!

I hope that you have been contacted by your small group leader by now to arrange your first meeting. If not, give me a ring or drop me an email at tmanson@thinkgeography.org.uk .

Also - why now check out the virtual network and book group blogs to the right of this to see what this is all about!

If you would prefer a copy of the first bible study in a word document format you can get this in the network resource page using the link on the right!

Let me know how things are going
Tim

The First Small Group Bible Study

Network Small Group Planning Sheet

Date: Sunday 30th September onwards (SG1)

Title: Ten Commandments – No 1 and No 2!

This is a guide line for your study and conversation – you do not need to use or answer every question – otherwise you might be there for a few nights! Pick out the points that are most relevant to you and your group!

Welcome
20 mins
Coffee and Tea
Icebreaker activity: The things in my life
1. Give each person a blank sheet and ask them to draw though bubbles to illustrate each of the ‘important’ things that are in their life right now
2. Get each person to share at least one thing and say why that is important to them
Or Question ‘Who are the most committed members of any religion that you have ever met? Why?


Worship
20 mins
The things of life grow strangely dim in His light
1. Ask each person to spend a few minutes in silent prayer to thank God for many of the blessings and ‘things’ that He has given to us already. (use the sheet from the icebreaker as a guide)
2. end this with a prayer together
3. then get group to listen and reflect on the words of a worship song from a Cd etc that speaks of putting Jesus at the centre of our lives (possibly Heart of worship by Matt Redman
4. Finally, lead the group in starting to consider what other gods they might have in their life right now. What things might be taking the place of God? What things maybe have more importance than worship, church attendance and speaking up for what you believe in?




Word
40 mins
No 1 and 2 - No other gods and No images!

Read Deut 5 v 1 – 21 these help to explain some of God’s most basic rules for living. These are living rules, God’s standards for living. Jesus in Matt 5 v 20 issues a challenge that we need to keep and uphold the commandments – yet, unlike the way the Pharisees live – creating a relationship with God is always the most important thing.

Number 1!
1. Read Deut 5 v 7 again – Why do you think God starts his most basic rules with this statement? Does God feel threatened? Is He insecure? Does He feel unsafe? Is he vulnerable that we might prefer another God to Him?

Well – yes, He is. He knows what we are like.

2. What is it that makes us want to replace God with other things?

3. What other things might we have made into our gods – what are the things that get in the way of our true worship for and love for God?

4. Do we worship the wrong thing? Can we worship sin?

Read Isaiah 40 v 18 – 31

5. Who or what do we compare God to?

6. How is God superior to either our idols or our achievements? (look at v 28 - 31)

God shows us his might through his total sovereignty but also through his Grace - he brought the Israelites out of slavery, out of Egypt and gave them a place they could have had and did not deserve. God expects nothing less than first place.


Number 2!
1. Read Deut 5 v 8-10 again - was God being a bit sensitive with this rule? Why does He not want us to accept idols and images of Him?

2. Why do you think that God emphasises his jealous nature for our love and attention?

3. By making an image of God – do we try and fit Him into our own stereotypical world view of what He looks like? Why do we feel a need to KNOW what God looks like? Why is it hard to accept God as a spiritual rather than merely a physical presence?

4. R T Kendall wrote ‘Accepting God just as he is – loving God just as he is’ - what do you think this means?

5. What idols/ man-made things are around today that people worship in the place of God?

6. Read Romans 1 v 25 - do we serve created things in our lives today?

7. Rob Bell in the book ‘Velvet Elvis’ writes about how the mystery of God is fundamental to understanding God he writes “The Christian faith is mysterious to the core. It is about things and beings that ultimatley cant be put into words. Language fails . .The mystery is the truth.”

How is God a mystery to you? Does that frighten you or strengthen you? Does it bring more questions that it answers?

8. Hebrews 11 v 1 helps us comprehend the mystery – we must apply our faith. This is the root core of the Christian’s faith. ‘Faith Is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’ Faith cannot be based on what we see and then take action . . . that is not faith - why can having faith in God be so hard?

9. God demands his place. God clearly shows that his jealously for our worship has consequences. How does this vengeful, wrathful God make you feel? Is it easier to believe in/ love a God like this? (Interestingly David Murrow argues that a God that punishes is more interesting to men than women – is that the case with you?)

10. Yet God does not want to punish us – he wants to show us His mercy. If we live God’s way we get mercy and Grace – is this a fair deal?

11. Is your faith too small? Is your image of God too small, too restricted? Have you stuck God into a restrictive box in your mind about what He can and can’t do – is this a true image of the living God?


Witness
10 mins
For network to be useful and vibrant within the church it is really important that we all encourage others to join up for small group bible study. Whether we bring people with us to our small group or we direct them to Tim or Mark to be fitted into a like-minded group . . . does not really matter.
· Think of one or two people that are in your immediate friendship group – pray for them and then make a decision to ask them to come to a small group or the Network night on 10th November at 8pm.
· Spend a few minutes to pray for these people and for courage that we would see our faith as something worth sharing with others.


Planning
1. Please make sure that everyone is aware of the next Network night at 8pm on 10th November in the church. Make sure that everyone has contact details for everyone in the group
2. Make sure that you have agreed the time and the venue for the next group meeting.
3. Maybe ask one other group member to take a lead in one part of the evening.
4. Try to see if you can email, text or phone all the people in your group to see how they are over the next few weeks.

network small groups an introduction!

Hi folks,
On Saturday night we will be launching the network small groups - all of you who have signed up or registered interst in a group will be hopefully ready to start from Sunday 30th September onwards. We hope that groups will meet within 2 weeks and will meet every 2 weeks on a regular basis from that point onwards. If you have any problems with your group - let me know as soon as possibel and we will try to get a move sorted!
Come on Saturday night from 8pm to find out who else is in your group and prepare yourself for the journey ahead!
All the best
Tim

Network night - This Saturday

Network really gets started this week! On Sat 29th September, 8pm to late, at the church - NETWORK NIGHT - a chance for all those in their late teens, twenties and thirties to get together, learn and worship God in a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere.

This is the first in a series of nights that we hope to have to celebrate together and get to know each other a whole lot better!

If you need any more information please email me at

tmanson@thinkgeography.org.uk

Network small groups

Hi folks

In case you are wondering we are hoping to start the network small groups next week (starting the week beginning 1st October). Apologies for the delay but we have been waiting for people to send back forms so that we would know where to put you!

I will run throught the groups on Saturday at the network night - just in case I get more responses in the meantime and hopefully you will be able to get together with your SG leader very soon and get things off to a start.

I will publish the first of the Bible Study meeting agendas on line later in the week - so you can do your homework and get ready, if you wish!

Where is the love?

I stumbled across a blog written by someone who used to go to TLC when I was the leader there a few years ago. On the top hand side of the page she wrote (thanks Claire!)

"I like the idea of loving people just to love them, not to get them to come to church."

I have been thinking a lot about this recently and I think that some people maybe have a slight misconception about what network is all about. I really dont know what you think network is - maybe some sort of thing for the young people - but really, if you want a vibrant, alive relationship with God or you are looking to see what Jesus can do for you - then network is for you. I dont care what age you are - as along as you are committed to being a friend to someone and opening you mind to what God can do for you!

We want to set up a loving community - not to build up the numbers in the church or even to give you something to hold on to in the church - we want to build a community of believers, of people pointing in the same direction and helping each other through lifes struggles.

I dont know about you - but I am pretty fed up having to believe, find God and love God on my own. I am fed up just telling people I'm fine - when I'm really not. I'm fed up pretending that every day I feel exactly the same. I'm fed up pretending that God is ALWAYS near me. I'm fed up pretending that the faces I smile at on a Sunday morning are my friends . . . when they dont know a thing about me. I dont want you to come to network to do church. I want you to come to network to see love. So, if you come . . . . bring it on!

Join the network NOW!

Well, September is just a few days away now and that means that you really need to start thinking about network. Network is a new thing for people in Muckamore Presbyterian Church. It is an opportunity for people aged 18+ to get together around God's word in small groups. I know this is not really the most revolutionary thing in the world for a church to be providing but it is something that is really needed in ours at the minute. We want to try and build the community - build friendships and relationships amongst people.

The other part of network involves a network night - which we hope will turn into a special night of celebration for people to get together, learn and worship God. We aim to hold this about every 4 - 6 weeks or so.

If you want to join the network follow the links on the posts below - you can download a questionnaire and either email it back to me or print it out and give it to me in church.

We are hoping to start network in the week beginning 17th Sept - so please try and get your questionnaire back to me as soon as possible so that we can start to put the groups together!

Next week in church we will leave a little card and a copy of the questionnaire in the pews - so you really have no excuse!

tmanson@thinkgeography.org.uk

BBQ leftovers

Thanks to everyone who made it down to the BBQ last night - we hope you had a good time! It was a good evening and we hope you had enough to eat! If you weren't there - dont worry - we will be giving out more stuff and telling you more about network in the next few weeks and hope to start network properly in early September!

You can watch the presentation and fill in an application form on this page!

You can see a few pictures of the night by clicking on the photo gallery here as well. Enjoy!

Tim

How to join the network?

We hope you enjoy the BBQ - for those of you who are wanting to do an online version of the questionnaire you can open and save the one in the network resource area or you can email me at tmanson@thinkgeography.org.uk and I will send you a copy.

If you have any questions - let me know - we will really start advertising for network again in late August so keep your eyes open for further information.

Thanks

Tim

Welcome to network!

Network is a new opportunity for the Young adults of Muckamore to grow in their faith.

Are you 18 - 39?
Have you ever wanted something else?
Something specially designed for you?
Something that would address the issues that face you, every day?
Something that would bring you closer to God?
Something that would help you make new friendships?

Network is coming in September 2007

To find out more join us for a BBQ on Friday 22nd June at 8pm in the church!