Life Group Discussion Guides

"Sin, Doubt, and Words That Hinder Prayer"

Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Prayer: Knowing and Experiencing God Sermon Series
“ Sin, Doubt, and Words That Hinder Prayer” by Pastor Tony
Choose the best question(s) for your group

September 23, 2018
Questions:  Contact Pastor Ric, 

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon. 

Texts:  James 1:2-8; Mark 9:17-29; Luke 18:9-17

Prayer defined:  Conversation between God and man.

1. What are some of the qualities God desires in his followers as they pray through challenging times? How do continued trials help us develop them?
   
   
2. How do these qualities help us when we pray? What one specific quality is essential to prayer - if the prayer is unanswered does it mean we don’t have it? (James 1:6-8)
   
   
3. According to the passage in Mark, explain the frustration of Jesus with the man’s question using the word “If”.  (Mark 9:22-24). What was the man’s admitted struggle?  How does his admission help us?
   
   
4. Discuss some strategies that might be utilized in showing God’s faithfulness to your Oikos when it comes to prayer?
   
   
5. How do you think God decides how he answers our prayers? What values does he use in deciding his response to our petitions? What do our words (which show our heart) have to do with this?

“Does Prayer Make a Difference With a Sovereign God?” by Pastor Tony

Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Prayer:  Knowing and Experiencing God Sermon Series
Does Prayer Make a Difference With a Sovereign God? by Pastor Tony
Choose the best question(s) for your group

September 16, 2018
Questions:  Contact Pastor Ric, 

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon. 

Texts:  Ephesians 1:3-23; Genesis 50:19-21; Philippians 4:4-9

1. How do we reconcile the fact that God is both sovereign (He does as he wills) and personal (We are to be responsible), OR how do my prayers make any difference? (To look at the other scripture references Tony listed in his sermon, go to Sermons under the Resources menu on our LEFC website.)
   
   
2. I have heard a few of my friends (some who are not yet followers of Jesus) ask for prayer for those experiencing Hurricane Florence this past week. How could we use tragic events like this to engage our Oikos in important conversations about prayer?
   
   
3. When it seems that God is not answering, not listening, not loving, how should we respond? (Remember Genesis 50:20) Talk about some ways we can help one another through our Life Group relationships when we struggle with unanswered prayer.
   
   
4. What are our lives like without much prayer? What are we missing out on?  How does prayer help us become more mature disciples of Jesus?
   
   
5. Can prayer change the mind of God or move his heart? (i.e. Hezekiah). Should we be careful how we pray?