Breaking Ground
What was the last thing that you really wanted for a long time? Did you ever receive it? If so, how did that make you feel?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Why by diving into the question: “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?”
Begin by reflecting on your own experiences with prayer & unanswered prayers.
How were you originally taught to think about prayer? What was it? How were you supposed to do it? What was its purpose?
Based on what you were originally taught, what did it mean when God didn’t answer your prayers or those of other people? What ideas or feelings were created by a prayer going unanswered?
Next, read Matthew 6:5-13. Here, Jesus teaches his disciples how they should pray.
What does Jesus instruct his disciples to focus on in prayer? What does Jesus tell them not to focus on? What does this reveal about the purpose of prayer?
In this week’s sermon, Pastor Mike explored the idea that prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind or our circumstances. Instead, prayer is about letting God change us by entering into contact with God, aligning ourselves with God’s will, & letting God transform us into a conduit of heaven crashing into earth.
How does this understanding of prayer change the way we think about it? How might it change the way we practice prayer & what we ask for in prayer?
How would this understanding of prayer impact the way we think about the moments where our prayers go unanswered? How could it help us respond to such moments in a more redemptive, compassionate way?
How is your current prayer practice changing you? If it isn’t, what do you need to change about the way you practice prayer? What’s one prayer practice you could adapt this fall to help you experience Christlike transformation?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- What does prayer mean to you? How often do you pray? What does this look like?
- Can you identify an example of prayer changing you for the better? If so, how did it do so?
- Where do you currently feel like you need to change to become more like Jesus? How could prayer help you do so?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, September 27th: Join us next week as we continue answering YOUR questions in our Why series!
* Please see mye3.org for details.