Secret Praying (Part 2)

FULL SERVICE: See SERMON ONLY below

SERMON ONLY:

Please click on link below to download and print Lifegroup questions.

Lifegroup Questions: Secret Praying (Part 2)

1. Read Matthew 6:5-15. What are some of your own observations?
2. Even though Luke 11:1-2 allows for this prayer to be recited, I say that according to Matthew, “this is the model of prayer to be followed not a memorized formula to be mimicked.” What does it mean for the prayer to be a “model” for our praying according to Jesus?
3. The praying of Pharisees was hypocritical, and the praying of the pagans was empty and mechanical. The praying of Christians must be real and authentic. How do you understand that?
4. I say that prayer has more got to do with what we believe about God and His glorious work, than just about anything else. What am I getting at?
5. Our Father who is in heaven…(v9b), led us to the statement that God is not the Father of all people in general. In fact, this is an exclusive prayer. Do you agree or disagree? Why, or why not?
6. Jesus expects His church to pray as a church, a called-out community. What is the difference between praying as Christians, and a praying church? Why would that be important?
7. When Christians pray, “we come as adopted sons and daughters with all the rights and privileges as His children.” How is that meant to encourage us to delight in coming to the Father through Jesus?
8. Matt 6:9-10 draws attention to His Name, Kingdom, and Will, as thinking rightly about God. How does Jesus intend those three related things do affect right thinking about God? 
9. In “Right Thinking about Ourselves,” Jesus again gives us three things to reorient our thinking about ourselves: (1) Give us this day our daily bread: Sustenance (2) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors: Forgiveness, (3) And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil: Deliverance. These things are daily realities, according to Jesus. Why are they not so much for us today? What has changed?
10. Lastly, I say, “In that life, true prayer is born.” If this prayer reveals and encourages an authentic life, what does the Holy Spirit have to change in us today, in our praying?