Connect20-25 minutes
Connect with your group about life in the past week, then discuss these questions.
What were your thoughts about what the kingdom of God is before watching the message and what about now? How did your ideas grow or change?
Reflecting on Action Steps from Last Week:
If applicable, talk about your prayer experience with nature. Where did you go? What did you notice? How did you feel in connection with our Creator? Reflect on your experience with your group.
If you decided to use the Names of God resource, which name(s) did you choose and why? Did you notice any difference in your prayers when you addressed God in this way?
Learn5-7 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.
Discuss20-30 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.
- Have you ever found yourself praying in any of the ways described in this clip?
- How might your prayers change if you really believe that God is a loving Father Who wants to hear what's on your heart?
- Read Mark 4:30-32. What does this passage teach you about the kingdom of God?
- What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God to better trust and obey Him?
Pray10-15 minutes
Ask for prayer requests and then close your time together with this prayer:
Good Father,
Thank You for sending Jesus to show us a new way of living. We are grateful that You, Jesus, love so well. You showed us what it means to cross divides, cross the street, welcome a stranger, love the outcast, and care for the poor, even if it makes us uncomfortable.
Help us see like You see and love like You love. Help us slow down, listen, pray, worship, and through that, lead us to serve someone this week. Speak to our hearts and minds.
Help us value the kingdom like the parables in Mark 4:30-32, so we will do whatever is necessary to take part in the kingdom of heaven. Give us the strength, courage, and wisdom in what You call us to.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Action Steps5-10 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: Bringing God’s kingdom to earth involves us expressing love and serving others. Read Matthew 5:1-10 and then spend some time in prayer asking God to show you who in your life you could serve this week. Did God bring anyone to mind? Serving them could look like a text or a phone call, helping with a yard project, or prayer. Consider ways for your group to serve together.
Watch a Clip: Watch this
short clip from Pete Greig about asking for prayer. Reflect on asking God for small and large things. What would be your parking space prayer?