Acts 4:23-31 | Shaken Prayer

W25_WK8_MAR9

Life Group Guide QUESTIONS

SERMON OUTLINE:

FOUR CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PRAYER

1.   “When they heard this, they ___________ their voices ______________ in prayer to God.”

Acts 4:24

2.   Peter and John immediately __________ their _________________ on God - __________________!

A God-first ___________________ changes ___________________.

3.   They ____________ the _____________________.

Psalm 2:1

4.   They ________ with their _______________.

Acts 4:7b

TAKING IT HOME

1.   Commit to being a person of ____________

2.   Take time to remind yourself of the _____________________ of God in your life.

3.   Pray the ___________________

4.  Share your __________ with God!

LIFE GROUP GUIDE:

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

1.        Who would win in an arm wrestle, you or the person to your left?

2.        If you had to switch careers or change paths, what would you like to do next?

QUICK REVIEW

1.        Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

2.        Pastor Marcel said this weekend, “When we focus on God first, and who He is, we come to grips with the reality that He has the power, authority, love, and compassion to take our pain and turn it around for His good and for His glory.” Share a time when you have experienced this in your life.

TRIADS

READ Acts 4:23-31

1.  What does this passage say about the character of God?

2.  What does this passage say about fallen humanity and the world we are in?

3.  Where does this passage specifically expose sin or unbelief in my own life? How does it specifically call me to change my thinking, redirect my affections, replace behaviors, and trust in my Savior?

DIGGING DEEPER

1.        READ Acts 4:24.  The prayer opens addressing God as “Sovereign Lord.”  What are they saying about their place in their relationship with God? Why is this significant?

a.        How do you address the Lord in your prayers? How does that affect what you pray?

2.        READ Acts 4:26-28, Revelation 17:14.  The theological concept of “already and not yet,” refers to the tension between God’s kingdom being already present, but not yet fully realized.  This means that today, we’ll still experience evil and opposition.  How can we stay strong through today’s troubles?

a.        READ John 16:33.  Commentator Ajith Fernando writes, “When we gaze at our Sovereign God, we need only to glance at our problems.”  Why do we so easily gaze at ourselves, and only glance at God?

b.        How can we help each other keep our gaze upon God?

3.        REVIEW Acts 4:24-30.  Through the whole prayer, their focus on Jesus is unwavering; they are also not asking for wisdom, protection, or favor with authorities.  What are they asking for?

a.        READ Philippians 4:6.  How might your week ahead look different if you prayed for the same things?

TAKING IT HOME

READ Matthew 6:7-8, John 15:7.  In the Acts 4 prayer, there is a considerable difference between the number of words focused upon the Lord and upon their own needs and requests.  How are we left challenged to grow in our prayer life?

PERSONAL REFLECTION

READ Luke 18:9-14.  Luke records Jesus telling a parable that considers two rather different approaches to prayer.  What do you notice about the differences between the prayers prayed? between the characters praying? and between their postures? Why is one man justified, and the other not? What do you notice about Jesus’ comments about the prayers? How might you be challenged to make your prayer life less difficult?