Sermon Discussion Guides
How to pray sermon series Guides
Sermon Guide 2/22
Discussion Questions:
1) In vv. 18–25, what “present sufferings” and “future glory” feel most real in your life right now? How does Paul compare them?
2) Paul says creation is “groaning” (vv. 19–22). Where do you see that groaning in the world around you, and how does it shape the way you pray or act?
3) What does it mean to you to “wait…with patience” (vv. 23–25)? What’s the difference between passive waiting and hopeful waiting?
4) In vv. 26–27, how does the Holy Spirit help us when we feel weak or don’t know what to pray? When have you experienced that kind of help?
5) In vv. 28–30, what stands out to you about God’s initiative (foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified)? How does that affect your sense of security or purpose?
**Application (this week):**
Choose one area of “groaning” (personal pain, family stress, or a broken place in your community). Spend 5 minutes a day naming it honestly to God, then ask the Spirit to “intercede” when you don’t have words. Write down one small, concrete act of hope you can do in response (encouragement text, apology, serving someone, or a step toward healing).
1) In vv. 18–25, what “present sufferings” and “future glory” feel most real in your life right now? How does Paul compare them?
2) Paul says creation is “groaning” (vv. 19–22). Where do you see that groaning in the world around you, and how does it shape the way you pray or act?
3) What does it mean to you to “wait…with patience” (vv. 23–25)? What’s the difference between passive waiting and hopeful waiting?
4) In vv. 26–27, how does the Holy Spirit help us when we feel weak or don’t know what to pray? When have you experienced that kind of help?
5) In vv. 28–30, what stands out to you about God’s initiative (foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified)? How does that affect your sense of security or purpose?
**Application (this week):**
Choose one area of “groaning” (personal pain, family stress, or a broken place in your community). Spend 5 minutes a day naming it honestly to God, then ask the Spirit to “intercede” when you don’t have words. Write down one small, concrete act of hope you can do in response (encouragement text, apology, serving someone, or a step toward healing).
Sermon Guide 2/15
1 Timothy 2:1–6 & James 5:13–18 — Discussion Questions
1. In both passages, prayer is presented as a first response, not a last resort. What tends to keep you from praying “first,” and what helps you actually do it?
2. 1 Timothy 2:1 lists different kinds of prayer (supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings). Which of these comes most naturally to you—and which do you avoid?
3. Paul specifically calls out praying for “kings and all who are in high positions.” Who are the “high positions” people in your world (local, workplace, school, community), and what would it look like to pray for them sincerely?
4. James connects prayer with real-life situations: suffering, cheerfulness, sickness, and sin. Which of those four feels most relevant to you right now, and why?
5. James 5 emphasizes confession and praying for one another. What makes that kind of honesty hard in Christian community—and what would make it safer and more normal?
Application (One Step for This Week)
Pick one person in authority (government, school, workplace, church, or community) and pray for them once a day for 6 days—including one specific request for their character/wisdom and one specific request for the people they serve. Then share with the group next time: What changed in your attitude, anxiety, or compassion as you prayed?
1. In both passages, prayer is presented as a first response, not a last resort. What tends to keep you from praying “first,” and what helps you actually do it?
2. 1 Timothy 2:1 lists different kinds of prayer (supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings). Which of these comes most naturally to you—and which do you avoid?
3. Paul specifically calls out praying for “kings and all who are in high positions.” Who are the “high positions” people in your world (local, workplace, school, community), and what would it look like to pray for them sincerely?
4. James connects prayer with real-life situations: suffering, cheerfulness, sickness, and sin. Which of those four feels most relevant to you right now, and why?
5. James 5 emphasizes confession and praying for one another. What makes that kind of honesty hard in Christian community—and what would make it safer and more normal?
Application (One Step for This Week)
Pick one person in authority (government, school, workplace, church, or community) and pray for them once a day for 6 days—including one specific request for their character/wisdom and one specific request for the people they serve. Then share with the group next time: What changed in your attitude, anxiety, or compassion as you prayed?
Sermon Guide 2/8
Discussion Questions:
-Read 1 Samuel 3:1-11 and reflect on these questions personally or with a group.
1. Samuel mistakes God’s voice for Eli’s at first—what does that teach us about learning to recognize God’s voice today?
2. Eli helps Samuel respond to God even though the message will be hard for Eli. What does that say about spiritual mentorship and humility?
3. God calls Samuel by name repeatedly. What do you think is the significance of God calling personally, not generally?
4. Samuel says, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” What would it look like to pray (and live) with that kind of openness this week?
5. What’s one specific step you can take this week to create more “listening space” for God (less noise, more attention), and how will you follow through?
-Read 1 Samuel 3:1-11 and reflect on these questions personally or with a group.
1. Samuel mistakes God’s voice for Eli’s at first—what does that teach us about learning to recognize God’s voice today?
2. Eli helps Samuel respond to God even though the message will be hard for Eli. What does that say about spiritual mentorship and humility?
3. God calls Samuel by name repeatedly. What do you think is the significance of God calling personally, not generally?
4. Samuel says, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” What would it look like to pray (and live) with that kind of openness this week?
5. What’s one specific step you can take this week to create more “listening space” for God (less noise, more attention), and how will you follow through?
Sermon Guide 2/1
1. What holds people back in their prayer life?
2. Why do people hesitate to bring everything to God in prayer?
3. Describe how prayer and faith are related.
4. What are the 'big' things we ought to be praying for right now?
5. What are the 'little' things we ought to be praying for every day?
6. Every day this week pray for each of your neighbors, especially those who are not in church.
2. Why do people hesitate to bring everything to God in prayer?
3. Describe how prayer and faith are related.
4. What are the 'big' things we ought to be praying for right now?
5. What are the 'little' things we ought to be praying for every day?
6. Every day this week pray for each of your neighbors, especially those who are not in church.
Sermon Guide 1/18
1. How does the 'Lord's Prayer' guide us in our prayer life?
2. What are your current struggles or successes in developing a prayer life?
3. Walk through the Lord's prayer and note each of the sections, which is natural for you, and which is challenging for you? Why?
4. Describe a time when the Lord's Prayer was particularly helpful for you.
5. Pray the Lord's Prayer through three times, first time very quickly, then slow down the next time through, then very slowly and intentionally the third time. On the third time through, pause a minute or more in silence after each section.
2. What are your current struggles or successes in developing a prayer life?
3. Walk through the Lord's prayer and note each of the sections, which is natural for you, and which is challenging for you? Why?
4. Describe a time when the Lord's Prayer was particularly helpful for you.
5. Pray the Lord's Prayer through three times, first time very quickly, then slow down the next time through, then very slowly and intentionally the third time. On the third time through, pause a minute or more in silence after each section.
Sermon Guide 1/11
1. What keeps people from having a meaningful prayer life?
2. What are the benefits to praying regularly?
3. In your own words answer the question, "Why Pray?"
4. What will you do this week to make prayer a priority?
2. What are the benefits to praying regularly?
3. In your own words answer the question, "Why Pray?"
4. What will you do this week to make prayer a priority?