Here's an idea that you might like to use for your Small Group (or Cluster) Worship time over the next couple of weeks, as we get deeper into Proverbs and the 'Making Life Work' book.

TURN OVER AN OLD LEAF
Go and grab some just-fallen leaves that are colourful and have plenty of veins. They are great for holding as a focus for Worship & Prayer. Write the names of your Small Group members onto tags (or on the leaves if you can) and attach. Make sure you include everyone who has been a part of your group for the last couple of years, and also include partners & spouses who don't come, and children too if you wish. 

WORSHIP
This can be on your own, or together. And don't think it has to be done quietly, or meditatively (although it obviously can be). Have fun together as you Worship!

 - Pick a leaf up and have a time of giving thanks for God's creation.
 - Think of as many sentences that exalt God beginning with 'You are.....'. Do the same with Jesus and the Holy Spirit as the focus.
 - The veins of your leaf are intricate and intertwining. Praise God for the depth of His understanding of our world and lives. Give thanks for your Group and your network of relationships. Extend this to the whole Church family. 
 - Get some hand cream, and (with a nod to the famous TV advert) rub the cream into your leaf. As it becomes more and more flexible and smooth, praise God for how He has the ability to do this to you - ironing out creases, letting wisdom sink deep into your nature, and smoothing away the roughness of pride and indifference.

"Let justice and praise become my embrace, to love You from the inside out...." ('A Thousand Times I've Failed')
  

PRAYER
Pray For Each Other
- Pick up a leaf and pray for the person named on it. Pray for what you hope they will receive and learn from your meeting. Remember to spend some time letting God speak to you about them!! Sometimes we don't know what to pray for, and that is when the Holy Spirit is able to step in - pictures, words, thoughts, bible verses, etc. Prayer is as much about you listening, as it is about you talking!

Making A Change (You might find this more applicable to do at the end of your learning time.)
- Some of our teaching series encourages us to make small changes to how we 'think and do' - employing wisdom in areas we perhaps previously have not. Now as you turn your leaf over in your hand, pray for God's help to recognise changes you may need to make, and strength and courage to make them. Tell your group, or share with a friend, and ask them to help you with this. This is a really important step, as you invite others to share your challenges in community with you.

CHECK BACK!
Ok - here's the really important bit! It's really easy to forget what we've prayed for, and not remember to thank God when He answers our prayers.....:

 - Write down what you prayed in a notebook (or on a note on your Iphone!).
 - Make a commitment to pray for someone whose leaf you picked up. Maybe take the leaf home and stick it on your fridge or noticeboard. Or put it in your lunchbox for work, or set up an annoying reminder on your phone. Go on! Be persistent!
 - When you come together as a group next week, talk about whether you feel God has answered your prayers of the previous week. Continue this process over the next few weeks and talk openly together about whether you feel your prayers are being answered.