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Message Discussion Questions
From March 26, 2023
Getting Started
What is one thing you are thankful for this week and what is one thing we can pray for you this week?
Remind each other of our simple expectations for meeting together.
Do you think it matters how often, where, and when you pray? Why or why not? How have you interpreted Paul’s command to “pray always, or pray without ceasing?”
Why is it that we often use our calendars, “to-do” lists, to make sure we don’t miss important dates, meetings, or people—but it is difficult to do something similar with prayer?
Quick reactions from the message
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
What idea, context, Scripture do you think could have been expanded on, or included in the message?
Why is (1 Thessalonians 16-18) often referred to as the “impossible commands”?
Of the three ways Dave suggested that we can strive to obey these commands—which one do you currently do, which one may you want to “work” on?
- Pray wherever and whenever you can.
- Spend time each day in God’s word and prayer
- Develop a “practice” for prayer.
Of the three prayer practices, which one did/would you pick—or, if different, you currently do and would suggest to others?
- HEART – Honor God, Examine your life, Ask for help, Request for others, Thank God
- Prayer Cards — seejesus.net/training/prayer-card-course
- Guided Prayer using the Lord’s Prayer
Explore the passage (1 Thessalonians 5:12-23)
How does God want us to regard church leaders/elders? (5:12-13)
How does God want us to treat each other? (5:13-15)
What attitudes represent God’s will for us? (5:16-18)
How should we pray? (5:17)
When should we give thanks? (5:18)
What is God’s will for us? (5:16-18)
How should we show respect for the Holy Spirit’s presence in us? (5:19-22)
What does God want to happen inside us? (5:23)
For what reason can we depend on God? (5:24)
What kind of affection did Paul have for the Thessalonian Christians? (5:26)
Who was to hear the contents of this letter? (5:27)
Questions to help us understand the significance of the text
Considering this is Paul’s final advice and greetings to the Thessalonian Christians…
1. How are the things Paul advises, commands, recommends related to each other? How are they different?
How can you show respect for the leaders/elders at church?
What can we do to live in peace with everyone in the church?
What happens when you pay back evil to a person who has done wrong to you?
Considering that Paul and Jesus weren’t always happy, or praying when they were doing things like teaching etc…
What does it mean to pray continually? To give thanks in all circumstances? Always be joyful?
Why is it essential that we ground these 3 commands in verse 18?
In what way can you strive to obey these commands?
What is the value of striving, choosing to obey God in these ways, as opposed to the opposite?
How can prayer relate to our joy and thanksgiving?
In what way can we stifle the Holy Spirit? (in us and to those around us)?
Apply the Passage
What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From March 19, 2023
Getting Started
How do you typically react when you are busy or distracted and you encounter someone who needs your help?
What is something you have prayed for regularly or are still praying for that has not been answered yet?
Quick reactions from the message
• Why do you think Jesus responded to the woman in Matthew 15 the way He did?
• What did Jesus mean when He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel”? (Rom. 15:8)
• Do you tend to persist in prayer until you see a result or simply stop praying about something after a few times?
• In what ways does our persistence in prayer develop a deeper relationship with God and display His character?
• What are some things we can learn about prayer when we look at the example of this woman in Matthew 15? (the woman knew who Jesus was, had humility, and was persistent)
Explore the passage (Matthew 6:5-15)
• Where did Jesus travel and why is this significant? (Mt. 15:21)
• What was Jesus’ response to the woman’s request? Why is this unique? (Mt. 15:23)
• What did the disciples urge Jesus to do? (Mt. 21:24)
• How did the woman respond to Jesus’ statements regarding her request? (Mt.15:25,27)
• How does her response demonstrate her great faith? (Mt. 15:27-28)
• How does the faith of this woman compare to the faith of the Pharisees? (Mt. 15:1-6)
Apply the Passage
• The woman sought Jesus out on her own initiative (15:22). When you find yourself in need, do you immediately pursue Jesus? What need has God recently brought into your life that has led you to seek Jesus?
• What keeps most people (and possibly you) from praying on a regular basis? What are some specific ways we can encourage/challenge one another to overcome those challenges?
• Is there anyone or anything you need to keep persevering in prayer for? How can we pray with you?
Message Discussion Questions
From March 12, 2023
Getting Started
What is one thing you are thankful for this week and what is one thing we can pray for you this week?
Remind each other of our simple expectations for meeting together .
What has been the difference in how you pray when you were a child, teen and how you pray now? In what way is it different and why?
Quick reactions from the message
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
What idea, context, Scripture do you think could have been expanded on, or included in the message?
In Matthew 6:5-15 Jesus gives us two negative examples of our motives/rewards to pray, then gives us the example for us to emulate in prayer. He uses the example of the Pharisees who pray performatively in public to be seen, and the example of the Gentiles at prayer who go on and on with formulaic prayers to get “god” to move.
Why are these bad examples? In what ways can we be “guilty” of similar patterns? Why does it matter?
In what way are we too pray? What pattern does Jesus set out for us to pray? Why does it matter?
Explore the passage (Matthew 6:5-15)
According to Jesus, what wrong motivation prompts some individuals to pray? (6:5)
What name did Jesus call people who pray for show? Why? (6:5)
Where do hypocrites prefer to do their praying? (6:5)
What type of reward will religious performance bring? (6:5)
How did Jesus command His followers to pray? (6:6)
Where did Jesus suggest we talk to God? (6:6)
What is rewarded in prayer? (6:6)
What did Jesus have to say about repetitive prayers? (6:7)
What insights or facts about God are revealed in this passage? (6:6, 8, 9)
To whom did Jesus tell us to pray? (6:9)
What should be our attitude toward God? (6:9)
What should be our attitude toward God’s kingdom and will? (6:10)
What should be our attitude toward life’s necessities? (6:11)
What should be our attitude toward those who have wronged us? (6:12)
What should be our attitude toward temptation? (6:13)
Why is it crucial for us to forgive those who wrong us? (6:14-15)
Questions to help us understand the significance of the passage
If God knows what we need before we ask, why should we pray?
If Jesus commands us to pray in secret, what is the value of public prayer? Why can we often be uncomfortable praying “publicly”?
Jesus taught us to pray…
First, we pray to God and for the glory of God (vv. 9-10)
Second, we pray for our deepest needs (vv 11-12)
Third, we pray for help in our greatest spiritual battle (v. 13)
Discuss what Jesus means in teaching us how to pray in the way he describes.
If you were to begin praying this way, what would change, be different in how you pray?
How does “The Lord’s Prayer” teach us about our expectations, and reward of prayer? How is it different from the Pharisees and Gentiles? What would it mean for you?
What sins or offenses by others do we find especially difficult to forgive? Why is this connected to prayer?
APPLY THE PASSAGE
What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From March 5, 2023
Getting Started
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call or a knock on the door from someone who needed help? What were the circumstances?
When are the times that you are most likely to pray? Are these times a routine practice for you?
Questions from the message
Share about a time in your life when you persevered and were persistent. How did things turn out?
Steve used the word “shameless” to describe how we should pray. What does this mean and can you think of any examples?
How might God being the perfect father affect how he responds to your prayers? What would cause him to say “yes”? “No”? “Wait”? or “Maybe”?
What are some things you tend to not pray for because you view them as not important?
What keeps you from persevering in prayer?
Explore the passage (Luke 11: 13-15)
• Most people lived in one-room houses, and slept with their families all in the same room. Why would this situation be bothersome? (vs. 7-8)
• Why does the requesting man get what he’s asking for? (vs 8)
• What will we receive if we keep on seeking, asking and knocking? (vs. 9-10)
• Jesus uses the analogy of a father and son. How would you describe a relationship between a father and son if the son is afraid to ask his father for things? (vs. 11-12)
• According to this passage, why should we feel comfortable boldly asking God for our requests? (vs. 13)
• According to v.13, what does God always give when asked for?
• According to James, why do we not receive what we pray for sometimes? (James 4:2-3)
APPLY THE PASSAGE
• What are the benefits of a persistent prayer life?
• What keeps most people (and possibly you) from praying on a regular basis? What are some specific ways
we can encourage/challenge one another to overcome those challenges?
• How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From February 26, 2023
Getting Started
What is one thing you are thankful for this week and what is one thing we can pray for you this week?
Remind each other of our simple expectations for meeting together.
What tends to corrode, or chips away at your desire to pray most? Why? What have others learned in their walk with God that has helped them to pray?
QUICK REACTIONS FROM THE MESSAGE
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
What idea, context, Scripture do you think could have been expanded on, or included in the message?
In what way can disappointment or a moment where you desperately needed to see God move or speak, but He did not, affect your prayer life?
Dave said that children serve as examples in three ways in how we learn to deepen our life with God in prayer.
They aren’t preoccupied with the business of life, they aren’t preoccupied with self-promotion and they are open to learning new things.
How can adopting these attitudes motivate us towards prayer/spending time with God regardless of the “results” of prayer”?
Explore the passage (Mark 10:13-16; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 10:21)
Mark 10:13-16
How did the disciples react to this situation? (10:13)
What about Jesus surprised the disciples in this situation? (10:13-16)
How did Jesus respond to the disciples sending the children away? (10:14)
What do Jesus’ actions tell us (10:14)
What unique connection do children have to the kingdom of God? (10:14)
What can we learn from children about the kingdom of God? (10:15)
How did Jesus want people to respond to Him? (10:15)
Read the two other passages in which Jesus references children as spiritual examples in how we approach God…
Mark 9:33-37 and Luke 10:21
How are these passages similar and how are they different? Consider the different context that precedes these passages.
Understanding the Significance
What is the difference between being child-like and childish? Why is this an important distinction in understanding the example of children Jesus gives us?
How can our disappointments, discouragements, and cynicism affect how we approach God in prayer? (How do young children respond?)
Given these examples by Jesus, what would be the purpose of deepening your relationship with God by spending time with Him in prayer?
In what way can you adopt a more “child-like” approach to God in prayer? How would this help inform you when you don’t see God move, answer or respond to your prayers?
APPLY THE PASSAGE
What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage?
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From February 5, 2023
Getting Started
What is something you learned early in life that you continue to live out to this day? It could be as simple as a habit or hobby. Or something a little deeper and more meaningful.
QUICK REACTIONS FROM THE MESSAGE
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
What idea, context, Scripture do you think could have been expanded on, or included in the message?
It’s not how you start, but how you finish that is important. Dave suggested three ways from 2 Timothy 4:1-6 that we can finish the life of faith well. 1. Walk with God with the future in mind. 2. Prioritize what is important in the present and 3. Keep the end in mind.
Questions: Which of these is most important to you to finish well? What priority or priorities come to mind for you in running the race of faith? Reference, verse 2 for the priorities Paul calls Timothy to pay attention, for what God may be calling you to prioritize.
How can we, even as Christians want to hear what we want to hear? To gather teaching around our own desires and preferences and avoid hearing God?
Explore the passage (2 Timothy 4:1-8)
• Who will Jesus Christ judge? (4:1)
• For what did Paul want Timothy to be prepared (4:2)
• What time did Paul say was coming? (4:3)
• What will people one day do with the truth? (4:4)
• What did Paul instruct Timothy to do? (4:5)
• Why was Paul ready for his impending death? (4:6)
• What had Paul done? (4:7)
• What was in store for Paul (4:8)
• Who will God award a crown of righteousness? (4:8)
Understanding the Significance
What would you say you are known for in your work, friendships, church, neighborhood, family etc…?
Why is it good news that Jesus is our “Judge”?
In what way do you long for and look forward to His appearing? How can this help us focus on our calling in the present?
What was Timothy to prioritize in his calling? What kinds of things (gifts, talents, treasure) do you think God is calling you to prioritize in the present?
What do you consider “sound doctrine”? Why is it important that we prioritize this in our lives in order to finish well the race of faith?
What did it mean that Paul was pouring himself out as a drink offering? Why is sacrifice such an important element of living out our faith?
What does it look like for you and I to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith?
What is the crown of righteousness that Paul says is in store for him? Considering that we are justified by faith in Christ alone, what would the crown of righteousness be for us who follow Christ? (Don’t be afraid to google, or look up what the crown of righteousness may be).
APPLY THE PASSAGE
What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage? How can you be more discerning? Is there something or someone that you need to “stay away from”?
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From January 29, 2023
Getting Started
What is something you learned early in life that you continue to live out to this day? It could be as simple as a habit or hobby. Or something a little deeper and more meaningful.
QUICK REACTIONS FROM THE MESSAGE
Timothy learned much from spending time with Paul. Why is it helpful to look at the examples of other Christians who have faced persecution and hardship? Have you ever been encouraged by the testimony of another Christian who endured?
In your own words, what does it mean that scripture is God-breathed? How does this relate to Genesis 2:7?
Share about a time where you experienced God speaking to you in a very personal way through the Scriptures?
We’re told that Timothy learned the Scriptures from infancy (see also 2 Tim 1:5). Take a moment to reflect on how you’ve learned the Scriptures. Who are the people who taught you the Scriptures (and how to read them)?
Explore the passage (2 Timothy 3:10-17)
• How does Paul compare himself to false teachers? (vs. 10-11)
• What is the cost for pursuing godliness? (vs. 10-13)
• What does Paul mean in vs. 12? What if you are a Christian who is not experiencing persecution? (vs. 12)
• What does Paul tell Timothy to do in response to the false teachers? (vs. 14-15)
• What are the 4 ways that the bible equips us? (vs. 16)
• What is the goal and aim of reading scripture? (vs. 17)
APPLY THE PASSAGE
How would you help a person who said “I’ve tried to read the Bible before but I don’t get anything out of it”?
What are some helpful strategies you have learned and used the help equip you to read God’s Word for life change?
How can we pray for each other?
Message Discussion Questions
From January 22, 2023
Getting Started
What is one thing you are thankful for this week and what is one thing we can pray for you this week?
Remind each other of our simple expectations for meeting together
What does it mean or look like to be discerning as a Christian? Why is discernment crucial for us today as followers of Jesus?
QUICK REACTIONS FROM THE MESSAGE
How would you summarize/paraphrase the message in your own words?
What point/idea resonated most with you? Why?
What idea, context, Scripture do you think could have been expanded on, or included in the message?
In what way does 2 Tim 2:14-26 challenge and/or encourage you to handle conflict and controversy differently?
Dave highlighted two ways that we can become more discerning about those that may exercise spiritual influence. 1. Pay attention to what people do more than they say and 2. Do they advantage themselves, or take advantage of others.
- How do you see these grounded in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?
- What typical ways do we tend to think we are being discerning in our lives and with our faith?
- Why was this so important for Timothy to prepare for? How is it important in our day and age?
- In what way can you be more discerning?
Explore the passage (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
(Yes, these questions can seem silly, however, good discussion and interpretation of the Bible begins with having a proper understanding of the basic facts; who, what, when, and where in the text.) Work through this quickly, the answers are fairly obvious.
What did Paul call to our attention? (3:1)
What will people be like in the last days? (3:2)
What will people in the last days lack? (3:3)
What will people in the last days love instead of God? (3:4)
What should we do with the kind of people Paul described? (3:5)
How do false teachers exploit others? (3:6)
What controls the kind of false teachers Paul described? (3:6)
What are false teachers doing? (3:7)
Why do certain people oppose the truth? (3:8)
To what historical figures were these godless people compared? (3:8)
Why will false teachers not get very far? (3:9)
QUESTIONS THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEXT
What does it mean to live in the last days? How is this different from other “signs” that Jesus or Revelation give? Why does it matter?
Why are there people like the ones Paul described? What does it say about those who would lead others astray?
We all can struggle with some of the characteristics that Paul describes in vv 2-5, but considering this is written by Paul to Timothy to be aware and be more discerning about others who spiritually influence the believers. (which is part of our role as disciplers). Which characteristic or quality is most concerning to you and Why?
How can someone act religious and yet deny its power? Why is this important?
False teachers/religion is one that takes advantage of those who are disadvantaged. (vv 6-7). How is this contradictory to the gospel and Jesus? Why is this a good way for us to be more discerning to who and what influences us?
In what way will “false teachers” foolishness, motives and character matter? Why is this important for us to understand?
APPLY THE PASSAGE
What do we learn about God and about ourselves in this passage? How can you be more discerning? Is there something or someone that you need to “stay away from”?
How can we pray for each other?
