Connect 20-25 minutes
Connect with your group about life in the past week, then discuss these questions.
What are some reasons that we praise God? When is it easy to do? When is it difficult to do?
Reflecting on Action Steps from Last Week:
For groups that did it, talk about your first five minutes with the Lord’s Prayer. What was it like? What did you discover?
If your group decided to watch the A&Q video, spend a few minutes talking about the names of God: Elohim, El Shaddai, El Elyon, Abba, Immanuel
What name(s) do you use to address God in prayer? How do these names impact your prayer life?
If your group decided to try journaling your prayers, talk about your experience with this. What did you think about doing this daily? Was it helpful or challenging for you?
Learn 5-7 minutes
You will watch a short clip of the message from this series to set up your group discussion. The full version of the message is also available
online to reference before or after your group meeting.
Discuss 20-30 minutes
- How did you sum up last weekend’s message in a sentence? Give time for each person to share and see how your takeaways were similar or different.
- How are you participating in hallowing or making God's name great?
- What name of God are you clinging to right now?
- What steps can you take to pray to God in a more intentional way this week?
- Read 1 Samuel 2:2 & Proverbs 18:10. What does it mean to trust God through all circumstances?
- Read Isaiah 42:8. What idols do you find yourself chasing after and worshipping? What steps can you take to remove those idols off “the throne” of your life?
Pray 10-15 minutes
Ask for prayer requests and then close your time together with this prayer:
Good Father,
You have many names that point us to Your care, majesty, power, holiness, and love. Thank You that You speak to us and show us who You are. We are grateful that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to live among us.
Please meet each of us where we are this week. Help us slow down, listen, pray, worship, and be reminded of who You are.
We praise You because, as it says in 1 Samuel 2:2, “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God.”
In Your holy name, amen.
Action Steps 5-10 minutes
Between now and next week, here are some suggestions for action steps.
Attend the Weekend Service: If you could sum up the message in one sentence, what would it be? (Write this and any other takeaways in the Pray Like This notebook and bring it with you to group.)
If you and your group want to go deeper, here are some additional action steps. With your group, select one of these to commit to this week:
Prayer Practice: In the book Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas talks about different ways we connect with God. This week, go to a park, a nature trail, your favorite beautiful outside spot, or your front porch. In that setting, remind yourself of the power of God’s name as Creator. Read Nehemiah 9:6. Take a few minutes. Close your eyes. Listen to the sounds. Notice the unique scents. When you are ready, open your eyes, take note of what you see. Say a prayer of gratitude to specifically God our Creator.
God's Kingdom: Before you go to service, consider what comes to your mind when you hear phrases like “the kingdom of God” or “God’s kingdom.” Make a list that describes what God’s kingdom is like. (You can jot down your ideas in your Pray Like This notebook.)
Names of God Resource: Go to "Session Resources" above and look at the list of the names of God. Each day, pick one that stands out to you and use it when you pray. Spend some time reflecting on what this name tells us about God.