SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE WEEK FOUR

MOUNTAIN-MOVING PRAYER: FAITH & BOLDNESS

OPENING | 15-20 MIN

I . Deepening Connections A. Think of a group/place you feel you really belong. What about that place appeals to you and helps you to stay connected? What lessons does this offer for your small group or your connection with God? B. Review expectations and hopes for the group. Reflect on our prayer practice. What was your experience with Guided Meditation? How do you feel like you’ve grown in prayer over the last three weeks? I I . Sett le In: Create a moment of silence to settle in and offer an opening prayer.

Sample: Holy God, may we find just enough faith this week to plant in the crack of what breaks our heart. Give us the trust to know that this is all you ask. Amen.

GROUP DISCUSSION | 20 MIN

It is not essential to cover all of these questions. Conversation and exploration around prayer are more highly valued.

I . Two Streams of Prayer If Mystical Prayer is focused on drawing closer to God and Prophetic Prayer is focused on carrying our burdens to God. How do the two relate? Which stream of prayer has been primary in your life? Why?

II . The Mountain & The Mustard Seed A. When you hear the words of Matt. 17:20 what are your first thoughts/questions? B. Jesus deliberately contrasts the size of the mustard seed and the mountain. How is this contrast encouraging? How is it challenging? C. Describe a time in your life when all you felt you had was a seed-sized faith. How did that help you through? III . Effects of Prayer A. How does prophetic prayer connect us to one another and our world? B. When we pray for a mountain to move what effect does this have? How does our vision change? What breaks your heart that you pray for? C. How is prayer a means of letting go? (Think about trust/control). How would acknowledging the spiritual reality of life impact the way you live?

PRAYER PRACTICE | 25 MIN Intercessory Prayer

Each week we engage in a prayer practice to stretch our experience. Our hope over this series is that you might discover one or two practices to continue using to help you encounter God. This week we’ve combined our practice with part of the wrap-up. Times have been adjusted accordingly. This week we explore Intercessory Prayer (praying on behalf of others) in 2 parts. Read through all of the instructions and ask one person to lead the prayer by naming each group to be prayed for.

Part I Step One: Prepare. Below is a list of areas for which we’ll pray. The person leading will name the first area and then leave space (30-45 seconds) for the group to name aloud a person, place, etc. in that area they would lift up in prayer. Not stories, just names. Once the group has finished with one area the leader will then move to the next one. Everyone take a few breaths. Step Two: Pray. Lord Jesus, we pause now to pray by lifting up:

• our family & friends • those who lead us • those who have authority • our enemies • those who suffer • any we have not named

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers. Keep us open to how our seed of faith might be used by you to be the answer to prayer for someone else. Amen.

Continued»»»

Step Three: Listen. Take a moment to reflect on praying this way with your group. What impacted you? What made you uncomfortable or what questions did praying this way raise?

Part II (Group Prayer Requests)

Step One: Prepare. For your closing prayer time we’re going to stretch you to pray out loud for one another. There are 2 ways you might do this: 1) Share requests with the whole group and

then invite each person to pray out loud for the person to their left. (A sample prayer is below which you are welcome to use.)

2) Partner up and share prayer requests with one other person and take turns praying for one another (Sample prayer still applies).

*Recognize that this is a huge risk for some people even to speak in a group. Love and respect is key. Step Two: Pray. Share one to two things for which you are personally praying and a place for which your heart breaks. After everyone has had a chance to speak these out loud, then pray for the other person using these or your own words. Sample: Lord, I give you thanks for ________ and that s/he is a part of our group. I ask that you hear _______’s requests and that your Spirit is felt in each and every situation. Continue to speak to them through the places that break their heart. May we each know enough faith for you to use us in the broken places of our world. Amen.

To extend the Practice: Take this list home and try this again lifting up your own names aloud. You might also use these categories in a journal or to help yourself pray for those whom you may not usually include in your prayers. How does lifting up these names affect your feelings or attention towards them? What might God be trying to say to you? What do you find is breaking your heart that might also break God’s heart?

WRAP-UP/ANNOUNCEMENTS | 10 MIN

I . Announcements – Serving together – We’l l be gathering ideas this week. At our celebration dinner we’d like to invite a couple of groups to share what they did to serve. We hope your plans are in place and would love to hear how you’ve helped to make a difference! Next Steps – Is next week your last? We’re encouraging groups to consider joining us for another four to five weeks beginning April 10, since Easter is so early this year. We’ll also be forming new groups if some want to continue and others are not able to. We’ll ask about your plans next week. Celebration Dinner - Thur. , March 24 From 6 to 7PM (prior to the Maundy Thursday Worship Service) we’ll gather to celebrate the last five weeks and talk about next steps. This is a pitch-in with each group contributing. We’ll be working with hosts to confirm whether your group is coming so that we can assign food items to share next week.

Continue the prayer practice for the week – We’ll ask how that went when we gather next time.

Questions or Comments? Contact: Rev. Eric Burton-Krieger

Pastor of Adult Discipleship bke@stlukesumc.com

317-846-3404