Knocking on Heaven’s Door: Knocking Down Heaven’s Door!
Matthew 7:7-11
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Discuss how resolutions made last week in “growing more like Jesus” worked themselves out— what did God do in and through you (Phil 2:13)? Celebrate those together!
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Read:
Review: Remind the group of the focus of this series:
o This series takes us deeper into our walk with God through focusing on prayer— not only talking to God, but listening!
o This week’s message dealt with the role of persistent prayer in our walk with God..
Read the passage together: Matt 7:7-11
Reflect:
The Scripture uses the term “wrestling” in prayer to describe passionate, persistent prayer. Talk about a time that you felt you were wrestling with God in prayer. What did you learn about God, yourself, your situation?
Matthew 7:7-11 says that if earthly fathers know how to give good gifts, our heavenly Father surpasses this! Discuss the following questions:
o In Jesus story, giving good, not harmful gifts, seems instinctive. Why do “evil” fathers give good gifts to their children?
o Hebrews 10:19-22 and Romans 8:15 talk about “boldness” in coming to God as Father (like Johnny Kennedy in the Oval office!). What is the difference between child-like boldness and arrogant presumption in our relationship with God?
Read Matt 26:36-46. Discuss this passage.
o What is it about persistence in prayer that “…aligns our will with God’s will”? How does that happen?
o Jesus started the prayer with “if it is possible, take this cup…” and finished with, “Not My will but Yours be done.” Are these two things incompatible? Why or why not?
Read Col 4:12. Discuss this passage
o Scott made the point that for Epaphras, these were “people, not just prayer requests”. What’s the difference?
o Epaphras lived what he prayed (trusting God in his own sickness) even as he “wrestled in prayer” for the Philippian church. Is it possible to pray earnestly for God’s sustaining grace in others when we are not ready to entrust ourselves to His will? Why or why not?
Read Acts 12:12-17. Discuss the passage
o Put yourself in the shoes of the church praying for Peters release and talk about why they did not believe it when Rhoda said, “Guess who just showed up!”
o What role did faith have in the prayers of this church? Unpack your answer.
Respond:
o Pastor Scott challenged us with the characteristics of passionate, persistent prayer: Empathy, Extra time, Persistence, community and willingness to sacrifice.
Spend some time sharing an area where you are “wrestling with God in prayer” then break out into groups of 3 to bring these things to the Lord in passionate, ‘wrestling’ prayer.
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