Small Group Guide: The Prayer of Jabez and 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Key Takeaways:
1. The church exists to lead people to know God, find freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference.
2. Prayer and fasting are crucial for spiritual growth and achieving God's vision for the church.
3. The Prayer of Jabez provides a pattern for effective prayer: blessing, influence, presence, and protection.
4. Setting a time, place, and plan for prayer helps establish a lifestyle of prayer.
Discussion Questions:
1. What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?
2. The pastor mentioned four reasons why the church exists. Which of these resonates most with you personally? How have you seen this play out in your own life or in the church?
3. What has been your experience with prayer and fasting? Have you ever participated in an extended period of prayer and fasting before?
4. The sermon discussed the Prayer of Jabez. Which aspect of this prayer (blessing, influence, presence, or protection) do you find most challenging or intriguing? Why?
5. How do you typically approach prayer in your daily life? Do you have a set time, place, or pattern?
6. The pastor emphasized praying for blessing to be a blessing to others. How might this perspective change the way you pray?
7. What areas of influence do you believe God might be calling you to expand? How can you pray specifically about this?
8. How do you recognize and rely on God's presence in your daily life? Can you share an example?
9. In what areas of your life do you feel you need God's protection the most right now?
10. The sermon concluded with quotes about the importance of prayer. Which quote resonated with you most and why?
Practical Applications:
1. Commit to participating in the 21 days of prayer and fasting. Decide on what you will fast from and how you will increase your prayer time.
2. Create a prayer space in your home or identify a specific place where you can pray regularly.
3. Use the Prayer of Jabez as a model for your prayers this week. Write down specific requests for blessing, influence, presence, and protection.
4. Set a daily alarm on your phone to remind you to pray at a specific time each day.
5. Choose one area of potential influence in your life (e.g., workplace, neighborhood, family) and pray specifically for God to expand your impact there.
6. Share with the group next week how applying these prayer principles has affected your spiritual life and daily experiences.
7. Consider joining one of the church's corporate prayer times during the 21-day period.
8. Reflect on how you can be more intentional about praying for the church's vision and goals, such as reaching the "96%" in your community who don't attend church.
Key Takeaways:
1. The church exists to lead people to know God, find freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference.
2. Prayer and fasting are crucial for spiritual growth and achieving God's vision for the church.
3. The Prayer of Jabez provides a pattern for effective prayer: blessing, influence, presence, and protection.
4. Setting a time, place, and plan for prayer helps establish a lifestyle of prayer.
Discussion Questions:
1. What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?
2. The pastor mentioned four reasons why the church exists. Which of these resonates most with you personally? How have you seen this play out in your own life or in the church?
3. What has been your experience with prayer and fasting? Have you ever participated in an extended period of prayer and fasting before?
4. The sermon discussed the Prayer of Jabez. Which aspect of this prayer (blessing, influence, presence, or protection) do you find most challenging or intriguing? Why?
5. How do you typically approach prayer in your daily life? Do you have a set time, place, or pattern?
6. The pastor emphasized praying for blessing to be a blessing to others. How might this perspective change the way you pray?
7. What areas of influence do you believe God might be calling you to expand? How can you pray specifically about this?
8. How do you recognize and rely on God's presence in your daily life? Can you share an example?
9. In what areas of your life do you feel you need God's protection the most right now?
10. The sermon concluded with quotes about the importance of prayer. Which quote resonated with you most and why?
Practical Applications:
1. Commit to participating in the 21 days of prayer and fasting. Decide on what you will fast from and how you will increase your prayer time.
2. Create a prayer space in your home or identify a specific place where you can pray regularly.
3. Use the Prayer of Jabez as a model for your prayers this week. Write down specific requests for blessing, influence, presence, and protection.
4. Set a daily alarm on your phone to remind you to pray at a specific time each day.
5. Choose one area of potential influence in your life (e.g., workplace, neighborhood, family) and pray specifically for God to expand your impact there.
6. Share with the group next week how applying these prayer principles has affected your spiritual life and daily experiences.
7. Consider joining one of the church's corporate prayer times during the 21-day period.
8. Reflect on how you can be more intentional about praying for the church's vision and goals, such as reaching the "96%" in your community who don't attend church.