Small Group Ministry: May 2011 ~ Strength

“Strength does not come from physical capacity.  It comes from an indomitable will.” ~Mahatma Gandhi 

“Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands – and then eat just one of those pieces.” ~ Judith Viorst

“I count life just a stuff, To try the soul’s strength on.” ~ Robert Browning

“There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.” ~ Booker T Washington

“The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.” ~ Max Lerner, Journalist and Educator

“I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~ Christopher Reeve

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”~ Eleanor Roosevelt

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reading

“At some point we all need strength.  Even if you’ve led a fortunate life, there will inevitably be a time when you’re called to face adversity.  Accidents, broken relationships, disease and death are all part of life. 

Inner strength acts as armour to hardship.  While it’s arguably one of life’s most important qualities, we don’t seem to spend much time thinking about what strength is, or how we might foster it in ourselves.  In most cases, we simply find ourselves thrown into deep water and, given no other choice we sink or swim.

Strength is possible in the most difficult circumstances.  For example, Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, graduated from college to become a well-known writer and lecturer.  Nelson Mandela overcame the oppression of apartheid to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.  However, what these stories of strength don’t tell us is where that strength came from.  Is it something we’re born with?  Is it something we learn?  How do we find and foster our own strength?” ~ Claire Buckis, “Inner Strength: The Power of You”

Questions for Reflection

1. What has been a major challenge in your life and how did you find the strength to face it?
2. Where do you feel your strength comes from? Is it learned, are we born with it?   Do you believe it comes from outside, such as a higher energy or power than yourself?
3. How do we find and foster our own strength?

Song

Lean on Me, 1021, Singing the Journey


We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on
~ Bill Withers

Closing Words

“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness.  Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.  Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” ~  August Wilson

SPIRTUAL EXERCISES

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~ Harriet Tubman

“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.” ~  Vincent Van Gogh

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.  It empties today of its strength.”  ~  Corrie Ten Boom

This month we are exploring our strength.  Please consider one of these Spiritual Exercises to share with the group.

1) Bring a picture of something that represents Strength to you and reflect on it.

2) Is there someone in your life who is going through a challenging time?  Could this person benefit from additional strength?  If so, reach out to him/her and try to help ease their burden.