DIGGING DEEPER
1 Peter 2:21
One Final Thought. Imitate Jesus. 1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. This week we’re learning how to be more like Jesus. Because we just concluded our series on the Lord’s Prayer, we’re going to focus on prayer too. We’ll also spend time learning how God uses our prayer life to make us more in the image of Jesus.
Share Your Story • Who is someone you’ve wanted to follow the footsteps of? • Have you ever reminded someone of another person? WATCH THE VIDEO
NorthlandChurch.net/TheKingdomPrayer Afterward have someone read the discussion questions in the “Hear God’s Story” section and start the conversation.
Hear God’s Story and Create a New Story READ 1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-10 (MSG) Read the passages together, and then discuss the following questions. • What inspired the Thessalonians’ work, labor and endurance (vv. 2-3)? • What happens when people are faithful in imitating Christ with their lives (vv. 7-8)? • How can you tell when someone is sent with the Gospel from God? • Verse 8 says their community’s practice of faith proclaims the message and the gospel. How does the practice of faith, hope and love share the gospel of Jesus? • Who is someone whose faith in Christ has been an inspiration to you?
Find Your Story in God’s Story
If you feel God is nudging you to go deeper, take some time between now and our next discussion to dig into His Word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session’s theme on your own, jotting your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. Want to go deeper? Select a few verses and try paraphrasing them: writing them in your own words. If you like, share them with the group the next time you meet. The apostle Paul often started his letter in the Bible with a reminder that he was praying for the communities he was writing to — communities he’d been a part of and spent time with. As you follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who also prayed throughout His ministry, how can you be praying for your communities? READ MATTHEW 6:5-13 •W hat are the daily needs your community should be looking to God and praying for? •W hich people and communities do you need to forgive? What “debts” (or “sins” or “trespasses”) do you need to look to God for forgiveness for? •W hat do you think God’s will is “on earth as it is in heaven” for you (v. 10)? For your community? READ ACTS 2:42-47 •T his passage describes the life of the first church in the weeks after Christ died, was resurrected and ascended to Heaven. They were living in a time of great upheaval, culturally, politically and spiritually. What were the central behaviors that the church devoted themselves to (v. 42)? •W hat happened to the church as they faithfully imitated the nature of Christ as a community? •W hat do you think that first church community prayed for? Whom do you think they prayed for? •W hom — and what — is your community praying for now? What prayers have you seen God answer?
• What are the idols in your life that you turned from? • What is the suffering you see within your community? Within the broader world you’re a part of? • How can your community bring the message of the gospel — the Good News of Jesus — to the people around you? Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests.
Looking for more questions and reflections so you can keep digging deeper? There’s even more to this week’s study available on Northland’s apps or at NorthlandChurch.net/Studies.
Welcome Let’s worship God together!
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