It may be that this group is unusual in that it includes Maisie (woof), a dog. Do others ? However, it probably helps to 'break the ice' when people are arriving, just before 8.00 pm. Maisie certainly enjoys the occasions.

Our group's core activity is to understand the Bible's story and teaching, either directly or by discussing recent Sunday sermons. We've been lucky in finding a series of booklets which take us through various parts of the Bible, posing questions which highlight background features or alternative viewpoints. As we always find plenty of parallels in our own experiences, the rate of progress is 'steady'. Having previously engaged ourselves with St. John's Gospel, the book of Daniel, the 10 Commandments and the Acts of the Apostles we have more recently been going through Stephen Eyre's thought-provoking studies in his booklet entitled 'Christian Beliefs'.

Our meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and thus are normally fortnightly. However, longer months and main holidays provide breaks in the sequence so that our rhythm of meetings never seems like a chore, even though people seem to find it hard to leave at 10pm. For many the insights keep burning throughout the week!

Is it easy to join an established group of around a dozen members such as this? We would hope so, but really the only way anyone can know is by giving it a try. Please ring (Church Office, weekday mornings, Knutsford 652251) to confirm directions. We will welcome your company and, particularly, your fresh and unique perspective on the subject matter. Need we say that younger members' viewpoints would be particularly appreciated...

We should firstly say that we feel exceptionally fortunate in our circumstances here in Knutsford, both in the material sense and in our Christian comradeship and opportunities: so there is a clear expression of praise, wonder and thankfulness within our meetings.

Our discussions enable us greatly to reinforce and amplify the insights we obtain from the weekly challenges and explanations planted in the Sunday sermons. As descibed in the first article our main activity is the study of selected Bible passages from which, using an associated set of questions, we attempt to tease out the underlying truths. We fully share our burgeoning insights, our difficulties and, sometimes, our deep personal concerns. Needless to say, it is not always so serious because we always find the time as well to 'catch up' with each other socially.

We have recently gained much benefit from reviewing the powerful inputs

• What do we see when we look at ourselves?
• Continued care and nurture in faith,trust and witness.

So it is interesting to note that these link directly to two significant roles of our group, namely - providing an opportunity to share our individual thoughts and actions in our daily lives, and putting them in the frame for review; and providing a secure base of fellowship to support and stimulate our growths as Christians.

The following illustrate just a few of the issues we have grappled with and brought under the spotlight in this way: we feel sure that many readers will recognise them from their own questioning too:

Is Jesus the only way to God/heaven?

• What about loving family members who are not believers?
• What about devout Muslims, Jews, etc.?
• We feel that it is not for us to judge - in the final day it is Jesus who judges - but we have a responsibility to ensure both our own conformity with Christian teachings and also that others

have the chance to see very clearly that this is what we are aiming for, and why.

• God's 'Word' was gifted to us through the teachings, life and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. As Christians we should strive to maximise our understanding of that gift so as to be better able to share it with non-Christians.
• In practice such sharing is not easy - unembellished and simple personal testimonies communicate with conviction - have we got an attention-grabbing, two-minutes' version ready?
• Most importantly we should strive to demonstrate God's 'Word' through our everyday living as resolute practitioners of Christian morality and as unfailing channels of God's love.

How does real communication emerge?

• Words and actions must be consistent - base-line is 'love in action' - "walk the talk" - be natural, not superior or 'odd'.
• Learn to listen effectively so as to be quick to understand and slow to judge - genuinely recognise and value people's attributes - get into the other person's world, seek the common

ground and encourage discussion of their concerns and points of view.

• Recognise and bring out the similarities between Christian churches rather than their differences.
• Keep the message simple, practical and related to real life in today's society - focus firstly on the essential elements of God's message from the Bible before entering discussion on how this is presented and manifested, or not, in specific churches.
• Continually ask ourselves, "What would Jesus have done in this situation?"

How should we pray?

• Praise and thanksgiving are important components.
• Should we ask for miracles? Do we give the problem to God or rather seek to resolve it with God's help? Should we ask for specific resolutions or should we simply place the problem before God?
• It is important to maintain prayer channel regularly open (like dealing with e-mails - the PC must be switched on and connected if the two-way communication channels are to work).
• We feel comfortable, and privileged, that we have the chance to see God, through Jesus, as the ultimate friend in whom, via prayer, we can confide absolutely anything: so our prayer can be spontaneous and a natural part of our everyday lives.

Our excerpts from Proverbs were concerned with money.

• We nodded with agreement to read that we must work diligently otherwise there wouldn't be any money to worry about in any case! (12:11)
• We were reassured to note that those who work hard will be able to fill their houses with beautiful things, to provide for their families and even for their 'servant girls'! (27: 27)
• We were challenged by the words 'When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back' (19: 17).

We were reminded that many, or most, of us have an exceptionally privileged view on this subject. How can we possibly respond to this situation other than with gratitude and a generous heart?

We closed with prayers and exchanged cards carrying our individual needs for prayer, to keep close during the week to come.

'I ask you, Lord, to let me have two things before I die: keep me from lying, and let me be neither rich nor poor. So give me only as much food as I need. If I have more, I might say that I do not need you. But if I am poor, I might steal and bring disgrace on my God.'

Chris

[Foot-note - The meetings of the House Groups tend to follow a fortnightly cycle, covering weeks 1-4 in each month. Where a third meeting opportunity falls within a particular month - i.e. the 'fifth' week - there would normally not be a meeting. This creates the space, therefore, for joint get-togethers ... Back]