I doubt the first disciples knew everything they were getting into when they left their fishing nets to follow him. But surely they, like many of us, knew enough about the beauty that flowed from Jesus’ life in order to follow Jesus with hopes of becoming like him.
They, like us, surely longed to live in truth and freedom like Jesus lived in truth and freedom.
They, like us, surely desired to love God and neighbor like Jesus loved God and neighbor.
They, like us, surely dreamed of making a difference in the world like Jesus made a difference in the world.
But did they–do we?!–understand that none of those other things are possible until they learned to pray like Jesus prayed?
This week, we will read from the third chapter of Luke’s Gospel and begin seeing what it means to pray like Jesus.
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See It Be It Video Audio Notes (download pdf) Notes (digital) iTunesSEE IT // BE IT
(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)
Title: Prayer is There // Scripture: Luke 3:21-22
ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.
SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
What is the most effective and impactful thing you could do this year? When people answer that question, many things come to mind. Living in a season of New Year resolutions, there are many things we have committed to do. However, one thing might not be on your list of resolutions- prayer. If you look at Jesus’ life and ministry, prayer was at the center of His most impactful work. That’s why this New Year we, at Grace Snellville, have decided to start our year with a series on Prayer— learning to pray the way Jesus prayed. This week Jon kicked off this series by calling our attention to the life and ministry of Jesus and the way it all was inaugurated through prayer.
In Luke 3, we see Jesus in the waters of baptism. In this passage we see as Jesus prays the heavens are opened and words are spoken—words that dramatically affect the way Jesus lived. The life of Eden is re-established as Jesus lived with an open heaven throughout His life. The doorway between God and man bursts open through Jesus’ life. Which leaves us with a question—If Jesus opened the door of heaven with God and man, are we living with that door open in our lives or have we closed it?
THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Prayer is there—God is willing and waiting to work in our lives and in our world .
SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes
Picture (What is the story saying?): Jon started his sermon this week by talking about the way many people have chosen words for their hopes and dreams this New Year—what word signifies what you are hoping or dreaming for most this year? Why did you choose this word? What’s your reaction to Jon saying our word this year at Grace is prayer? What place did we see in this week’s sermon that prayer had in Jesus’ life and ministry? How did prayer affect the way Jesus lived and worked?
Mirror (Where am I in the story?): What place does prayer have in your life? How would you rate your prayer life? Why? What struggles do you have with prayer? What successes have you had in your prayer life? What might it look like to center your life in prayer this year?
Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): This week, Jon talked about the way Jesus’ life and ministry was signified by an open heaven— in Christ, God rent the heavens and the space between God and man was re-established. What do you think it looks like to live with an open heaven? How does that change or challenge your view of prayer? What supernatural affect might that have on the way you live?
BE IT – Practice
Change UP // Prayer Partners
Jon encouraged us this week to spend a little time each day saying yes to God in prayer. Have your group divide up in groups of two and talk through a few things God might be inviting them to say, “Yes, Lord” to this week. Once the groups have had time to share, invite them to pray for one another in these things and to join together as prayer partners this week..
Change IN // Prayer Stories
Invite your group to share stories of answered prayers in their lives by asking them to name and give testimony to prayers they have seen answered. Use these testimonies as an opportunity to invite your group into a season of prayer together. Once people have shared their stories, invite the group to share prayer requests you can pray into together as a group.
Change OUT // Prayer Walk
Take a moment this week to go on a prayer walk. As you are outside walking and practice saying, “Yes, Lord” to God. Invite God to call your attention to places or things you see as you walk and can pray for in your life, your neighborhood, our city, and your work.
CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.