Have everyone in your group bring a brown-bag meal. Provide the guidelines that each meal must include a main dish (like a sandwich or a burger), a side dish (like carrot sticks, a fruit cup, or fries), a dessert (a cookie or a pudding cup perhaps?) and a beverage. Other items can be included if anyone wants -- but each bag should have at least these basics.

When everyone arrives put a number on each bag, then write corresponding numbers on slips of paper and put them in a cup. Have everyone draw a number and claim the brown bag meal that goes with that number. While you enjoy the meals others have brought, discuss:

• Do you like surprises? Why or why not?

• Besides the contents of the bag you ended up with, what’s the most surprising thing that’s happened this week?

• How do you think God might use surprises in your life?