TODAY:

Acts 4:23-31 | Powerful Prayer

BIG IDEA:

Prayer reminds us that Jesus’ purpose is bigger than our problems

SCRIPTURES:

Acts 4:23-31, Psalm 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: How do you tend to respond to difficult circumstances & why?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple

who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational

mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from

just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Read Acts 4:23-31. How important is a deep belief & conviction of God’s

sovereignty for your daily life?

Q: They called God “Lord” (Master) in v24 & 29, while referring to themselves

as “slaves” in v29. Why is complete surrender to God so important & why is

it a really good thing for us?

Q: How can you grow the same heart of worship in the face of adversity that

Jesus’ followers had?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: v24 says they “raised their voices together” (with 1 mind/heart/passion)

How can prayer unify us together more as a church & as the Church?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: How can we ask God to “stretch out His hand” & miraculously reveal

Himself to our community & world?

ACTION STEPS:

1) Praise God this week & remind yourselfthat He is bigger & more powerful

than anything you’re facing.

2) Identify 1 challenge, surrender it to God & ask Him to use it.

3) Use a passage of Scripture as prayer.

QUOTES:

“Prayer should be the Christian’s natural first reaction to a problem in God’s world.”

(Acts For You)

“Communication isthe lifeblood of any relationship – including with God!”

“Are our prayers more about our comfort being maintained or enhanced than they

are about asking that God’s greater glory be displayed?” (Christ-Centered Exposition)

“Jesus’ followers didn’t plant ‘spa’ churches, they started training centers.

Discipleship & evangelism weren’tspectatorsportsto be consumed, everyone was a

participant. Churches weren’t luxury cruises, they were lifeboats & if they know

Jesusthey were the Coastguard!”