2015: Be Expectant!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
Ephesians 3:20

Let’s Be Expectant of all that God is saying and doing in the world: we have lots to anticipate! What is it that you imagine God can do in GB in your part of the world? What do you want to ask of Him confident that He will respond? In order to help you engage with the theme of expectation throughout the year, we have devised a range of resources which you can dip into. They are split into four sections:

Reflect
Explore
Worship framework
Creative ideas for worship

Reflect

These reflections have been written by a number Girls’ Brigade friends and office bearers from around the world. You may use them in range of ways: for personal reflection, as articles in your GB publications, on your websites, as devotional thoughts for your conferences, meetings and activities, as monthly Bible studies with a group of other GB leaders , as a series of worship themes at a retreat or leadership training event – or in any other way you choose.

The power of love

Whatever a girl’s background or upbringing, all we can ever hope for them is they know love, writes team leader Sally Claydon.

Strength & Essence of Woman

Ponderings about what Paul Dunn’s painting “The Strength and Essence of Women” can say to us as women today.

Lessons from a relay race

Ruth Gilson takes inspiration from the life of Timothy and relay races to learn about empowering others.

Fear not!

By Helen Hoskins

Let me share with you the testimony of one of our GB Centre students. I shall call her Glorious (not her real name).

Expect the unexpected

By Alison Margetts

Anna didn’t care nor worry what the world saw, she spent her time in the temple worshiping her Lord and expecting to see great things. Anna was aware that one day the promised Messiah would come.

Expect greater things

By Ruth Gilson - Executive Director

I wonder if William Carey knew that his faith, his expectancy of God, his discipleship would lead to a world-wide movement where women and men today are involved in life-giving mission?

Don’t settle for unfulfilled life

By Ruth Chikasa

It’s easy to settle for living an unfilled life, because we don’t raise our expectancy of ourselves or of God, so I encourage you – expect great things to happen in your life.

Don’t be discouraged

By Charlotte Hendy

Despite all of the times God has shown up in our lives, we still become so easily discouraged. I feel a bit like the Israelites who, after being freed from slavery and the awful regime of the Pharaoh, stand in the desert and doubt that God will provide them with food.

Courage and comfort zones

By Mrs Tay Poh Imm

We will all face challenges and tough decisions everyday of our lives. Alone, we are weak and uncertain, but if we wait and listen expectantly to God’s voice, He will always be faithful to guide us according to His will

Chosen by God

By Priscilla Penny

God’s choosing of us is not based on anything we have done, because we were chosen by Him even before the world was made. And we were chosen not just to be saved, but to be completely clean before him, because of the blood of Jesus.

Beauty for ashes

By Hazelann Hannaway Borleand

When we embrace the joy of being Expectant we too can see the DIAMONDS in every girl crossing our path and introduce them to Christ who is waiting to give them ‘beauty for ashes.’

Explore

These questions are designed to help national boards, executive committees and local groups focus on the strategic responses that need to be made as we engage with God’s promise to give and give and give again. There are three key questions to be used as you see fit throughout the year.

Focus

At ICGB we were challenged to ‘keep the main thing’ of Girls’ Brigade the ‘main thing’. We recognised that there are often other issues on our agendas and in our GB diaries that crowd in and become more important or distract our time, energy and prayers away from our main purpose.

An open door

At ICGB 2014 we were challenged to see that one third of the world had never heard the name of Jesus, and another third may have heard but have not engaged with Him.

Worship Framework

This will give you the shape of a worship event which you can use as suits your area and young people.

Some may wish to use it on the International Day of Prayer in conjunction with the Prayer Wave Material. Others may choose to use this as a focus at their national or fellowship conferences or celebrations. The framework offers options, suggestions and ideas regarding readings, worship songs, prayers and talks from which you may select and adapt to create something relevant to your need.

Worship for Theme of Expectancy

An example order of service with ideas for songs, prayers and reflections which you can adapt for groups of all ages.

Creative ideas for worship

In this section you will find a range of creative worship ideas from around the world for use with leaders, children and young women.

Watch and Wait

By Girls' Brigade New Zealand

Sometimes when things take a long time to happen, we get tired and bored of waiting and watching for it. When we pray to God we need to wait and watch to see Him answer our prayers.

Timebomb

By Girls Brigade International

Every time we come to worship we should have that same sense of EXPECTANCY and anticipation that God will be there and something good will happen.

The Second Coming of Christ

By Girls' Brigade Africa

This event is yet to happen and although the prospect of the scene may fill us with awe, it should not fill us with fear. It is the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise to His followers, that He will return to take us home

The desires of your heart

By Girls' Brigade England and Wales

If this is God’s promise to us (and it is) what is it that we are EXPECTING Him to give us? If we don’t know what it is we expect we won’t know when He has done His thing! Encourage everyone to think what the desire of their heart is. What do they want from God?

2015 Theme: Be Expectant!