Group Outreach
Last fall, at the school where I teach, the student council set up a booth in the lunchroom where students could pay a dollar to throw a whipped cream pie in someone's face. Those selected to be attacked were favorite teachers, the editor of the newspaper, popular football players, and a few other students. The fundraiser was a success because students wanted a chance to be connected and to share an experience with someone popular.
This month, consider giving several people a pie in the heart. Set aside an evening or weekend afternoon near Thanksgiving to make homemade pies. Decide ahead of time what kind of pies you will make and assign group members to bring the necessary ingredients. Determine a person, couple, or family that will receive each pie. Write the names on index cards and tape them to the counter or cupboard where they can be seen while baking. While making the pies, take time to pray for the recipients. When the pies are done, attach a card printed with Psalm 136 as a message of thanksgiving, and deliver them.
Psalm 136 (The Message)
Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits.
Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits.
Thank the Lord of all lords.
His love never quits.
Thank the miracle-working God, His love never quits.
The God whose skill formed the cosmos, His love never quits.
The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations, His love never quits.
The God who filled the skies with light, His love never quits.
The sun to watch over the day, His love never quits.
Moon and stars as guardians of the night, His love never quits.
The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, His love never quits.
And rescued Israel from Egypt's oppression, His love never quits.
Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand, His love never quits.
Split the Red Sea right in half, His love never quits.
Led Israel right through the middle, His love never quits.
Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea, His love never quits.
The God who marched his people through the desert, His love never quits.
Smashed huge kingdoms right and left, His love never quits.
Struck down the famous kings, His love never quits.
Struck Sihon the Amorite king, His love never quits.
Struck Og the Bashanite king, His love never quits.
Then distributed their land as booty, His love never quits.
Handed the land over to Israel.
His love never quits.
God remembered us when we were down, His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot, His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need.
His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all!
His love never quits!
Write the name of each pie recipient on an index card and give one card to each group member with a charge to pray for that person or couple until the end of the year.
Individual Outreach
Small group leaders, encourage your group members to:
- Sign up to be a financial sponsor for a resident addiction treatment center.
- Buy a subscription to a high school newspaper, and pray for the staff as you read it.
- Offer ten compliments in the coming week.
