Discussion question for June 3, 2016.

James 5 says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective, and uses Elijah as an example of one that engages in fervent prayer.  What do you understand fervent prayer to mean?  When have you seen it modeled?  How does God respond to this kind of prayer?  What effect does it have on your relationship with Him and others?

Discussion question for May 27, 2016.

Prayer changes me, and prayer changes the world around me.  Based on that truth, what would you like to see changed regarding prayer in your home?  What is your most effective method to pray with your wife?  How do you model prayer to others under your influence?  How has prayer settled differences in your family?  When do you pray together?

Discussion question for May 20, 2016.

Paul exhorts us to pray for all people, especially leaders, in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.  What do you expect to happen when you pray?  How can you create a culture of prayer? What about rulers and authorities that defy God?  How do you distinguish between “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings”?  When do you pray?

Discussion question for May 13, 2016.

A recent poll indicates that voters are more motivated by dislike of the other side than by support of their party’s presumed nominee.  How should one respond when it feels like a choice between the lesser of two evils?  Is it possible to cast a vote against something?  What affect does this have on your interest or involvement in the political system?  What are you likely to do about it?

Discussion question for May 6, 2016.

There is a saying that “you are what you eat.”  What is your current conviction about diet?  What benefits have you experienced from carefully managing what you eat?  How do you understand the dietary laws of the Old Testament regarding their applicability for today?  What temptations do you face when it comes to food?  What strategies do you use to keep your life consistent with your convictions?

Discussion question for April 29, 2016.

We have all experienced the realization that we slipped into the pit or gone off the rails, and then chose to reach up to God for help.  What can you do to avoid the pit in the first place?  How can you know that things are slipping before the full weight of the consequences manifest?  What are your personal signs and indicators that you watch?  What are the hidden tells you can ask a loved one to watch on your behalf?  What strategy are you willing to use to keep yourself from trouble?

Discussion question for April 22, 2016.

We agreed last week that the subconscious is an accurate measure of ones character.  Matthew 12:35 says that what we treasure (good or bad) comes out of our heart in word and deed.  How do you redeem the false beliefs of your past?  What strategies can you employ to increase good treasures in your heart?  What is the best way to discover underlying beliefs?  Describe your process for taking thoughts captive to make them obedient to Christ.

Discussion question for April 15, 2016.

We are to give an account for the choices we make, including every word spoken (Matthew 12:36-37).  What about choices we make without thinking about them?  Where do we draw the line between intentional and unintentional acts? What does this say about how we are to manage our character?  How can the subconscious be changed?

Discussion question for April 8, 2016.

There is a battle for the mind, and the enemy regularly attempts to plant misinformation and deceptions into our thinking.  How do you guard against that?  How do you keep bad thoughts from creeping in?  What is the difference between innocence and purity?  What is your best strategy for thinking on the things listed in Philippians 4:8?

Discussion question for April 1, 2016.

Life is made interesting by conflict and challenge.  There are four possible responses: a) flee from it, b) fight it, c) forget it, or d) face it.  Which of these four are you most likely to choose?  What does that say about your temperament?  What does it say about your faith?  Which do you believe to be the best overall response, and why?  What would have to change for you to choose to respond to hard things in the most effective way?