Discussion question for October 20, 2023.

Conflict in the Middle East is not new, but the recent escalation has gotten the attention of the world.  What is your emotional reaction to the news?  How have you been prompted to pray?  What wisdom or perspective do you offer in any conversation about this?  How does your message change when speaking to a mature believer compared to an unbelieving person?  What do you believe about OT and NT prophecies regarding Israel?  How does that impact your current faith journey?

Discussion question for October 13, 2023.

We have established the truth that prayer is about building relationship with God.  When are you tempted to operate without prayer?  What circumstances act as a barrier to you?  How can you anticipate times of separation, and what symptoms do you experience when you drift from God?  What are your go-to strategies for returning to a prayer relationship?  How can you encourage another person to pressing in and experience the fullness of God through prayer?

Discussion question for October 6, 2023.

Elijah prayed seven times for rain and Paul asked three times for healing.  How do you know you should persist in prayer?  How do your prayers change when you don’t see any change?  How do you change in those circumstances?  What causes you to feel hopeless, or resigned, or disappointed?  How should you pray when those temptations come?  What is the appropriate heart attitude for effective prayer?  What sustains you when things seem to get worse instead of better?  How has unanswered prayer caused you to mature spiritually?

Discussion question for September 29, 2023.

We know that the Creator of the universe has all power and authority, and He can do whatever He wants to do.  What Biblical support is there to the idea that God waits for participation?  How would your prayer life change if you knew He was waiting to be invited to do miraculous things?  What would you need to know before boldly asking Him for the impossible?  What changes would you like to see in the world around you?  When do you take time for intercession?  How is your relationship with God affected by your prayer life?

Discussion question for September 22, 2023.

Romans 8:32 says that God gave His Son and then wonders what “all things” He could also give.  How do you respond to the truth that He gave His Son for you?  What more could you ask for?  How can you claim the fullness of the promise in this verse?  What response is appropriate?  How does this verse build your faith-confidence?  What attitudes or emotional responses are called for by this word?  How does this verse help you trust the Lord?  How does it move your relationship with Him to a deeper level?  What testimonies can you share about the “all things” He has already given you?

Discussion question for September 15, 2023.

Proverbs 13:12 says that hope deferred makes the heart sick while James 5:7-11 says to wait patiently.  What have you hoped for that is making your heart ache?  How do you know what to keep hoping for or when to let a desire go?  How does Psalm 37:7 help you understand when to wait patiently?  What encouragement do you take from Lamentations 3:25-26?  How does the level of your desire change over time?  What do you think about the faithful saints who hoped without ever seeing the result (Hebrews 11:13 and 39)?  How would you encourage a person younger in the faith to hold on to hope?  What dream or hope are you still reminding God about?

Discussion question for September 8, 2023.

God is a provider of blessings, as described in Ezekiel 34:26.  How do you identify blessings from God?  What is your response to these blessings?  Who does God send His blessing on, and why?  What experience have you had with being blessed?  What conditions might cause blessings to dry up?  How do you respond when you receive the blessings of the Lord?  What would you say to someone who recognizes that you are blessed and wonders how it might happen to them?

Discussion question for September 1, 2023.

Jesus said He is “gentle and lowly in heart” as He invites us to come to Him (Matt 11:28-29).  How does He demonstrate His gentleness?  What does it mean to be lowly in heart?  How should you think to emulate the humility of Jesus?  What traits are evident in Moses, who was described as being the most humble man?  How can you guard your heart to remain humble?  How does shame or pride interrupt humility?  How does your humility influence your ability to love God and others?

Discussion question for August 25, 2023.  Note: no meeting on August 18.

The Lord convicted the church of Ephesus for being busy with good things but for having lost their love.  When did you realize you had fallen in love with the Lord?  How do you act because of this loving relationship?  What could cause you to lose this first love?  How do you keep the passion alive in your relationship with God?  How do you keep it alive in your relationships with others?  What does sacrifice have to do with love?  What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of a deeper walk with God?

Discussion question for August 11, 2023.

God invites us to participate in His work, and our part is to accept the invitation.  What has been your experience with divine appointments?  How do you know you are being invited into something special?  What patterns have you experienced in these circumstances that prepare you to be ready?  Share an example of a divine appointment you accepted.  How do you feel when God invites you into something for the first time?  What has helped you grow in the faith for obedience?