Sep 2, 20214 min read

#429 - MEET AND PRAY WITH GREAT EXPECTATION - (2/9/21)

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series I’m taking a different approach to these devotionals. I want to us work harder at searching the scriptures for ourselves. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily’ method below to help us with this. It’s well worth the hard work involved!

TODAY’S TEXT

Today we have a number of texts that help us to reflect on the power of meeting together to pray.

‘So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.’ (Acts 12:5)

‘Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.’ (Acts12:7)

‘When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.’ (Acts 12:12)

I’ve included my reflections on today’s text below. However, I encourage you to pray and spend time reflecting (writing can be helpful) using the 5 questions below before reading my thoughts.

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

MY REFLECTIONS

1. †GOSPEL

We are able to pray and are assured of God’s presence and protection because of the gospel. No prison is too impregnable for the love of God to reach us. The gospel tells us that we can approach God with freedom and confidence in our time of need or when we are concerned for others.

2. UP

God listens and responds to prayer. We do not understand why God allows His saints to be put into prison, but we must understand that in such times of trial, He wants us to pray together.

3. IN

Will we allow this narrative to inspire faith to pray with our church family? I urge you not to wait for trials before you gather to pray! True faith prays! The author of to the Hebrews writes,

‘Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’

4. OUT

The enemy will try, but he cannot derail God’s mission. The progress of the Kingdom can look vulnerable at times, but God is over all powers that oppose Him. Later in this chapter (Acts 12) we read of an angel putting Herod - who imprisoned Peter- to death! Later in the chapter we read,

‘The word of God continued to spread and flourish.’ (Acts 12:24)

5. DO? - Here are a few examples of application that I’ve come up with:

Will you gather to pray with the church in exception of what God will do?

Do we pray for those who are experiencing trouble in their lives?

HEAR - Pray about how the Holy Spirit might want you to respond.

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series we are going to take a different approach to learning from the Bible together. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily Method’ together (Gospel, Up, In, Out, Do) - you will have to do all the work!

1. Icebreaker - How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week? (During this LEARNING TO HEAR series, we are seeking to develop a culture of listening to God out of His word)

2. Select a text of scripture. (You could use the text from Sunday’s message or something of your choice.)

3. Read and recall. (Read the text and ask each person in the group to put it into their own words.)

4. Please go through these questions together:

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray and share (if it’s appropriate) about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

5. SIV - Finally, it would be helpful to talk and pray about how we are doing in regard to Serve, Invest and Invite. Do you have any encouraging stories or any plans in this regard? How do you want to pray in regard to our mission?

#429 - MEET AND PRAY WITH GREAT EXPECTATION - (2/9/21)

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series I’m taking a different approach to these devotionals. I want to us work harder at searching the scriptures for ourselves. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily’ method below to help us with this. It’s well worth the hard work involved!

TODAY’S TEXT

Today we have a number of texts that help us to reflect on the power of meeting together to pray.

I’ve included my reflections on today’s text below. However, I encourage you to pray and spend time reflecting (writing can be helpful) using the 5 questions below before reading my thoughts.

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

MY REFLECTIONS

1. †GOSPEL

We are able to pray and are assured of God’s presence and protection because of the gospel. No prison is too impregnable for the love of God to reach us. The gospel tells us that we can approach God with freedom and confidence in our time of need or when we are concerned for others.

2. UP

God listens and responds to prayer. We do not understand why God allows His saints to be put into prison, but we must understand that in such times of trial, He wants us to pray together.

3. IN

Will we allow this narrative to inspire faith to pray with our church family? I urge you not to wait for trials before you gather to pray! True faith prays! The author of to the Hebrews writes,

4. OUT

The enemy will try, but he cannot derail God’s mission. The progress of the Kingdom can look vulnerable at times, but God is over all powers that oppose Him. Later in this chapter (Acts 12) we read of an angel putting Herod - who imprisoned Peter- to death! Later in the chapter we read,

5. DO? - Here are a few examples of application that I’ve come up with:

Will you gather to pray with the church in exception of what God will do?

Do we pray for those who are experiencing trouble in their lives?

HEAR - Pray about how the Holy Spirit might want you to respond.

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series we are going to take a different approach to learning from the Bible together. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily Method’ together (Gospel, Up, In, Out, Do) - you will have to do all the work!

1. Icebreaker - How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week? (During this LEARNING TO HEAR series, we are seeking to develop a culture of listening to God out of His word)

2. Select a text of scripture. (You could use the text from Sunday’s message or something of your choice.)

3. Read and recall. (Read the text and ask each person in the group to put it into their own words.)

4. Please go through these questions together:

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray and share (if it’s appropriate) about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

5. SIV - Finally, it would be helpful to talk and pray about how we are doing in regard to Serve, Invest and Invite. Do you have any encouraging stories or any plans in this regard? How do you want to pray in regard to our mission?

Recent Posts

Comentarios