{"id":88134,"date":"2020-04-19T09:24:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-19T13:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discovergrace.com\/?p=88134"},"modified":"2023-09-19T16:52:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T20:52:52","slug":"monday-moments-sermon-notes-and-discussion-4-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/discovergrace.com\/monday-moments-sermon-notes-and-discussion-4-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Monday Moments: Sermon Notes and Discussion 4\/19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite everything that\u2019s come our way in the past several weeks, we have remained united as one Grace family in Christ Jesus. The gospel is advancing, the Church is enduring, and moment by moment we are \u201cstanding firm in the Lord\u201d (Philippians 4:1). Hallelujah! There are some things even a pandemic cannot shake.<\/p>\n

For more on \u201cstanding firm in the Lord,\u201d view our latest online worship experience.<\/a><\/p>\n

Personal Devotional<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we consider prayer this week, let\u2019s meditate on Jesus\u2019 teaching on prayer in Matthew 6:5-13<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read Matthew 6:5-8<\/strong><\/p>\n

What two behaviors should we avoid when praying? What\u2019s the motivation behind these behaviors?<\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 teaching in verse 6 does not mean believers should always pray in secret. See Matthew 18:20. Clearly, there is value in praying with others. Why, then, do you think Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray \u201cin secret\u201d? What attitude(s) was He encouraging?<\/p>\n

Read Matthew 6:9-13<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is undoubtedly the most famous prayer in the Bible. Let\u2019s take the remainder of our time to follow Jesus\u2019 example line by line.<\/p>\n


\nOur Father in Heaven.<\/em> What are the implications of the reality that God is in Heaven? Psalm 103:19 says, \u201cThe Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.\u201d Pause and acknowledge the sovereign rule of God.<\/p>\n

Hallowed be Your name. <\/em>List some attributes of God, out loud or on paper. If you enjoy creative challenges, list one attribute or name for God using every letter of the alphabet. Praise Him for who He is.<\/p>\n

Your Kingdom come.<\/em> Confess that in your sin and humanity, you do not value God\u2019s Kingdom supremely. Pray for the advancement of His Kingdom\u2014for salvation, spiritual revival, and restoration.<\/p>\n

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.<\/em> Surrender your desires regarding the future. Consider writing each of your hopes on a sheet of paper and relinquishing them to God one by one. Use a marker to boldly write \u201cYour will be done\u201d over the entire sheet of paper.<\/p>\n

Give us this day our daily bread. <\/em>Share your concerns with God. Unburden your soul, listing every fear and need. Ask Him to provide for you, believing He is a generous Father.<\/p>\n

And forgive us our debts.<\/em> Confess the sin that has bubbled to the surface in this season\u2014your public sin against others and your private sin against Him. Claim His forgiveness in Jesus name!<\/p>\n

As we also have forgiven our debtors.<\/em> Ask God to grant you a gracious and forgiving heart. Ask Him to reveal to you anyone against whom you\u2019ve hardened your heart, and to help you forgive them. If He brings someone specific to mind, consider reaching out to reconcile with them.<\/p>\n

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.<\/em> Pray for deliverance corporately and individually. Pray that we would be delivered physically from this virus, and spiritually from temptation.<\/p>\n

\n

Grace Communities: Sermon Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Philippians 4 opens with conflict between two women. Where are you experiencing the most conflict in this season? At home? Among friends or coworkers? Internally?<\/p>\n

In verse 2, Paul urges these women to overcome their conflict by being \u201cof one mind in the Lord.\u201d Most people aim to be \u201cof one mind\u201d in their closest relationships, but describe how two people could be \u201cof one mind\u201d without being \u201cof one mind in the Lord\u201d?<\/p>\n

Pastor Mike shared a diagram to illustrate the importance of going to God in prayer first, before resolving conflict. How might this approach revolutionize your relationships with others in this season?<\/p>\n

One of the ways to stand firm through this season is to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks. What are you thankful for lately? This week, what has given you cause to rejoice?<\/p>\n

In talking about the Vine and branches in John 15, Pastor Mike said, \u201cIf you want to be rooted and anchored, you need to realize that from the Vine comes all the strength, nourishment, and life.\u201d What hinders you from abiding in God in this season? Have you found any practical strategies for overcoming these hindrances and abiding in God daily?<\/p>\n

\n

GraceStudents 5th\/6th Grade<\/strong>
\nWord of the Week\u2014Abide<\/em>
\nThe word \u201cabide\u201d can mean a few different things, but in the Bible it usually means to \u201cremain or stay.\u201d Where would you most like to abide?<\/p>\n