Message: Prayer of Connection
Week of July 19, 2009

Thematic Focus
Discover what God has done to help you with your insecurities.

Main Points
Four reasons we can connect with God:
·  He is a Caring Father.
    - Psalm 103:13
    - 1 Peter 5:7
·  He is a Consistent Father.
    - James 1:17
    - 2 Timothy 2:13
    - Romans 11:29
·  He is a Close Father.
    - Psalm 145:18
    - Matthew 7:11
    - Psalm 34:18
·  He is a Competent Father.
    - Luke 1:37
    - Ephesians 3:20

Summary Points
· God sent Jesus to make a personal connection with us.
· We become members of God's family through Jesus.

Scriptural Lens:
Galations 3:26 (NIV)
"You are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your personal reflection and/or discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence with you.

Opening Reflection
Identify what would be considered characteristics of a loving father.

Scriptural Focus
Take time to read the suggested Scriptures.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to reflect further:

1. How would you describe God's caring for his children in Psalm 103:13?
2. How does depending on God's consistency differ from depending on people or things?
3. How does a guarantee influence your decision to buy something? Why?
4. What area of your life needs the consistency that God offers to us?
5. Describe the difference between having loved ones close and far away.
6. How can knowing nothing is too big for God impact our view of problems?
7. Jesus is our bridge to God. How do people attempt to connect with God, or portray faith, without him?
8. What keeps people from trusting God for answers? What keeps you from fully trusting in him?

Adjusting Focus
It matters to God that we are connected to one another. Take time to reflect upon your life and those you are connected to.

God is a caring father to us, how can you show more concern and care for others? In your family? Our community? Among people in the church?

God gives to us consistent love. How consistent are you in showing love to others?

God desires to be close to us. How close are you to Him? What could you do to draw spiritually closer?

Who in your life do you need to get close to? How might God desire to help you?

How can you worship God more this week in ways that show you trust him not to let you down?

Maintaining Focus
How is God's Spirit prompting you to grow on the faith journey? A step I will take to pursue a healthy life:

____________________________________________

Closing Prayer
Take time at the close of your time together to pray for God’s assistance in the journey. Depending on how comfortable group members feel, here are some ways you could pray:

· Write out a personal prayer.
· Have the group facilitator or a designated member of the group pray.
· Have members of the group get into a smaller group to pray for one another.
· Have several members of the group pray aloud and then conclude.

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