"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
God is FOR you, so ASK BOLDLY.
DISCUSSION:
Jeff talked about his tendency to try to give God an "out" when he hears his loved ones praying.
-Have you ever found yourself trying to prepare people to be disappointed when praying bold prayers?
-Have you ever prepared your own heart to be disappointed?
-Is it hard for you to believe that God is FOR you? If so, why do you think that is true for you?
It isn't as much about faith as it is about obedience.
Our side is to: Ask, Seek, Knock
God's side is to: Give, Find, Open
DISCUSSION:
-Have you ever tried to do God's part by trying to make things happen a certain way? If so, how did that go?
-What does it mean for you to ask, to seek and to knock?
-What does it mean to you that God will give, find and open?
"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:9-11
DISCUSSION:
-Is your perception of God one of Him being a good father?
-Is it hard for you to believe that he wants to give you good gifts?
There seems to be a pattern of:
The birth of the idea
The death of the idea
The resurrection of the idea
The ascension of the idea
DISCUSSION:
Have you ever:
-Experienced the death of a dream?
-Asked for something and not received it?
-Sought for something and not found it?
-Knocked and the door wasn't opened?
-What does it mean for you personally to continue to ask, to seek and to knock right where you are today?
-What things are you asking for, seeking Him about, and what doors are you knocking on?
Bold prayers honor God and God honors bold prayers.
Mark Batterson