As in Heaven | Participant Guide

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As In Heaven is a sermon series purposed to teach us the importance of prayer and how it changes YOUR WOLRD. Get ready! Through this series we believe that God is going to lead us into new experiences with Him.

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JESUS' ALGORITHM OF PRAYER

This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

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Read 1 PETER 5:7, PSALMS 18:6 & 103:13 aloud and discuss these questions in your group: 1) Describe a time when you had bad communication with someone. What was the result of the situation?

2) Prayer to God is good communication! In what ways might prayer help "unclutter" our hearts? Feel free to share experiences!

3) What are some ways that our parental relationships influence our view of God? 4) Pastor Nate said that, "Our Father (God) will discipline us & support us". In what ways have you felt God's discipline or support?

5) How would you rate the importance of prayer in a Christian's life? Why is prayer important to you?

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Take time to pray within your Connect Group.

"Prayer is learned by Praying"! Consider taking advantage of one of the Prayer Opportunities at your Location.

The next time you pray, remember the compassion and care God has for you.

Check out the following Scriptures to further growth on this topic: Scriptures: Psalms 55:16-17 Ephesians 3:14-19 2 Chronicles 16:9

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DOWNLOAD

...your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...

Matthew 6:10 (NIV)

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Read MATT. 6:33, LUKE 13:18-19, MATT. 26:37–39 aloud and discuss these questions in your group: 1) How would you describe the Kingdom of God to someone else? Why is it easy or difficult to describe the Kingdom of God? 2) How might someone take steps to "seek" the Kingdom of God? Why might seeking God's Kingdom be challenging?

3) What part of the Kingdom of God do you think is the most needed in our world?

4) Pastor Nate challenge us to, "pray for God's Kingdom and will to be done in our lives" What are some benefits to praying this way?

5) Have you ever felt tension between doing your will and doing God's will? How was the tension resolved?

What was the outcome of the moment?

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Take time to pray within your Connect Group.

"Prayer is learned by Praying"! Consider taking advantage of one of the Prayer Opportunities at your Location.

The next time you pray, remember the Kingdom of God and God's will for your life and for the world around you.

Check out the following Scriptures to further growth on this topic: Scriptures: Romans 12:2 Galatians 5:25 1 Peter 5:8-9

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FUEL FOR VISION

...Give us today our daily bread...

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

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Read PROV. 3:5-6, MATT. 6:31–34, JOHN 4:31-34 aloud and discuss these questions in your group: 1) How would you describe your ability to trust in the Lord? Why might it be easy or difficult to trust God this way?

2)Why does the Bible seem to discourage "depending on our own understand"?

3) What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “…So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today…”?

What sticks out to you?

4) Pastor Nate said, “Anxiety is carrying responsibility for something God can give us”. How might prayer help resolve the worries in our lives?

5) Jesus was fueled by doing God’s will (representing mission and vision for His life). How might prayer give us fuel for today’s mission?

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Take time to pray within your Connect Group.

"Prayer is learned by Praying"! Consider taking advantage of one of the Prayer Opportunities at your Location.

The next time you pray, reflect on what God's vision/mission may be for this season of your life.

Check out the following Scriptures to further growth on this topic: Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:7 Proverbs 127:1 Habakkuk 2:2

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THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

...And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors...

Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)

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Read ROM. 3:23-24, MATT. 6:14-15; 18:21-22 aloud and discuss these questions in your group: 1) In your upbringing, were you shown more forgiveness or punishment? How did your experience influence your adulthood?

2) In what ways are forgiveness and grace the same?

How are they different ?

3) Scripture teaches that there is a correlation between how much we forgive others and how much God forgives us. Is this surprising to you? Why is this teaching important?

4) What are some of the benefits of forgiveness ?

5) Despite the benefits, why might it still be challenging to forgive? Describe ways we can overcome these challenges?

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Take time to pray within your Connect Group.

"Prayer is learned by Praying"! Consider taking advantage of one of the Prayer Opportunities at your Location.

The next time you pray, reflect on God's forgiveness and consider other that you should forgive.

Check out the following Scriptures to further growth on this topic: Scriptures: Colossians 3:13 Mark 11:25 Matthew 18:23-35

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k F e i ve e W Sermon Guide

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Deal With It

Key Scripture ...The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed...

Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

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Discussion Questions Read 1 SAMUEL 1:1-28 aloud and discuss these questions in your group: 1) In the past year, what has brought you the most joy? what has caused the most grief?

2) What are the greatest challenges Hannah expirenced? Can you relate to the emotion she felt?

3) Pastor Jodi shared about lamenting prayer (turning towards God in faith and trusting God to respond). Can you describe a time when you expressed this kind of prayer to God? Why might this kind of prayer be important to express?

4) Why can it be hard to turn towards God during moments of disappointment and grief?

5) What does Hannah's life teach us about prayer and dealing with the challenges of life?

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Action Steps Take time to pray within your Connect Group.

"Prayer is learned by Praying"! Consider taking advantage of one of the Prayer Opportunities at your Location.

The next time you pray, reflect on the challenges you are expirencing and lament to God.

Going Further Check out the following Scriptures to further growth on this topic: Scriptures: James 2:3-4 1 Peter 5:6-7 Proverbs 3:5-6

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DELIVER ME

"...And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one..."

Matthew 6:13 (NKJV)

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Read MATT. 6:13, 1 COR. 10:13, & JAMES 1:14-15 aloud and discuss these questions in your group: 1) What does it look like to ask God to “lead us?” How does this help us avoid temptation?

2) Why do you think Jesus’ prayer included “deliver us from the evil one?” What does this look like?

3) What does the James passage of scripture say about temptation? How do you think temptation is different than sin?

4) Pastor Nate said, “temptation can come from the inside or from the outside.” How might evil in our culture contribute to our temptations?

5) How can you ask the Lord to lead you? What practical steps can you take this week to follow the Lord?

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Pray with your Connect Group.

Sign up for the summer online study “Strong for Battle” Read the book “Praying Circles Around Your Children” by Mark Batterson

Check out the following Scriptures to further growth on this topic: Scriptures: Hebrews 2:18 Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) Proverbs 22:6 2 Timothy 1:7

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TO GOD BE THE GLORY

"...For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen."

Matthew 6:13 (NKJV)

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Read JOHN 3:23-30 aloud and discuss these questions in your group: 1) Describe a time when you felt overlooked or not appreciated for your work. How did this conflict get resolved?

2) Do you think the disciples of John have a right to be upset? Why or Why not?

3) The disciples of John didn't find joy in the success of Jesus' ministry. Why is it important to find joy in the success of others? How might understanding this idea help our spiritual growth?

4) What part of John's answer stands out to you?

Why does it stand out?

5) What does John's response teach us about giving glory to God?

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Pray with your Connect Group.

Sign up for the summer online study “Strong for Battle” Take time to consider ways to give God glory and to find joy in the success of others.

Check out the following Scriptures to further growth on this topic: Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 29:11 John 3:31 – 36 Luke 14:11 Philippians 2:6-11

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