Questions about Prayer

Text: Colossians 4:2-4, Luke 18:1-8, Hebrews 13:20-21
Sermon: Rev. Matt Kennedy

1.  (Lead-In) What are your expectations regarding prayer toward God?

2.  (Lead-In) What is the evidence of answered prayer?  Is it always what we expect?

3.  (Lead-In) How do feelings and emotions aide us during our prayer times?  How can they also mislead us?

4. (Luke 18:1-8) God values and encourages consistency in our prayer requests.  What are some prayers you have consistency prayed about?  Have any of them come to partial or complete fruition?

5. (Col 4:2) What are some of the challenges people have during prayer?  What prevents us from praying consistently and regularly?

6. (Heb 13:20-21) What does God equip us with in order to continue doing His good work (even when we sometimes don’t want to)?

7.  (Col 4:2) Paul calls us to be watchful for threats to our faith.  What are some of those threats?

8.  (Col 4:2) How can individual sin turn into church-wide (or corporate) sin?  How do we stop our sin from “infecting” others?

9.  (Col 4:2) An attitude of thanksgiving in prayer yields many spiritual benefits.  Name and discuss a few of them.

Questions for Parenting: Part 2

Texts: Colossians 3:20-21, Ephesians 6:1-4, Hebrews 12:6-11, Deuteronomy 11:18-19

Sermon: Rev. Matt Kennedy

1. [Lead-In] Disciplining children is similar to when you first decide to live like a Christian.  Share your trials of when you first committed your life to Christ.

2. [Lead-In] Why will children who fail to respect their parents also refuse to respect other authority figures, adults and teachers?

3. [Heb. 12:5-11] Saying yes or always agreeing with your child can be addictive and unhealthy for the entire family over time. What might be some of the consequences of this?

4. [Eph. 6:1-2] Paul commands two rules for the children: Obey your parents and honor them.  Give some examples in what obeying and honoring parents looks like or doesn't look like.

5. [Eph. 6:1-4] We love God because He loved us first... and He showed us what that love looks like.  How does this love work in parenting?

6. [Eph. 6:1-4] Is it okay for parents to admit their wrongs to children?

7. [Deut. 11:18-19] How should parents work Jesus into everyday situations (including discipline)?

8. [App] How do we teach children to take the focus off themselves and onto Jesus?

9. [App] How should parents discipline their children without provoking anger?