Lesson Three Discussion Guide Group & Individual Use (click more)
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time you have provided for us to come together to hear from you and have fellowship in your Word and to learn and apply your Word to our hearts. We need you, Lord. We need your grace all the time. We praise you for your goodness and your love and mercy. Please open our hearts to you and to one another and lead our discussion. Help us not to fear, but to put all of our hope in Christ. Help us to remember there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. May you be glorified in all our thoughts and words and deeds. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I. LECTURE
Will someone share how the Lord used the lecture to speak to your heart? Did anyone have any questions or concerns about the lecture? If you ever have a question or something is unclear, please let us know. We want to serve you in any way we can!
II. PLEASE READ THE MAIN POINT FROM THIS WEEK’S HOMEWORK
Prayer is the open door into the private chambers of our heavenly Father. In Christ we have been given direct access to God on High. Until we are in heaven, we must not cease to pray. There is nothing of any value that we are able to obtain without Him and there is nothing that we need that He will not provide.
We develop this relationship of utter dependence on the Lord by spending time alone with Him daily. We must leave the temporal world of sin continually through prayer. It is through humble adoration, confession, and thanksgiving that we draw near to God. We must take our eyes off of ourselves long enough to see Him so that we may know Him in order to reflect Him. And we must listen to Him. If we don’t listen to Him in everything, we are not likely to hear Him in anything.
III. QUESTIONS FROM THE HOMEWORK
Go through the homework, occasionally calling on women. Read scriptures aloud. After asking a question, remember to allow a brief period of quiet “wait-time” to give women a chance to think before answering. After pausing, if no one shares, go ahead with your answer, rephrase question, and/or move on.
DAY ONE
1. Read Hebrews 4:15-16 . It is by spending time alone with the Lord and through humble adoration, confession, and thanksgiving that we develop a genuine, intimate relationship with Him. In what areas is your prayer life strong? In what areas is it hindered or in need of change?
2. Laurie writes that “Prayer is the open door into the private chambers of our heavenly Father. It is the true passage-way to intimate communion with Christ.” Prayer enables us to really know God and hear Him; it changes lives. Where are you putting your trust? Are you listening to God and obeying? Why or why not?
DAY TWO
3. How did Psalm 32 help you this week?
DAY THREE
4. Read Psalm 66:1-4. When we praise the Lord, our eyes are lifted off self, our mind is focused on the Lord, our cares and burdens are diminished, our knowledge of Him grows, our vision is corrected, our thinking is transformed, and our faith is nurtured. Are you praising the Lord throughout your day? Why or why not?
5. What are your thoughts and attitudes really like? How does your focus affect what you do and say?
DAY FOUR
6. Read Psalm 38:1-3. Confession is an amazing and abundant provision from the Lord. When we confess, we are forgiven, released from bondage, healed from pain and old thinking is replaced with godly ways of thinking. We are transformed. What did the Lord show you that you need to address? Will someone share what you are avoiding?
7. Does anyone have an example of how the Lord has transformed an area of your life through confession?
DAY FIVE
8. Read Psalm 107:1-3. We know we are to rejoice in the Lord always and be thankful in all circumstances. Would someone please share what they wrote recalling 3 or 4 instances when the Lord brought you through difficulty or rescued or protected you?
IV. PLEASE RECITE YOUR SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES TOGETHER
V. TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART TIME
We will now focus on taking God’s truth to our hearts and bringing it to life. James 5:16a states; “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” And 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
Please turn to the Taking the Truth to Heart and Bringing it to Life page on Day Six. We will each have 3 minutes so that everyone will have a chance to share. Please record one another’s confessions on the Taking the Truth to Heart Guide on the following page so that you can pray for each other throughout the week. Leaders, please set the example by going first.
VI. PLEASE CLOSE IN PRAYER
