STUDY GUIDE "THE CHURCH TRULY PRAYED" - Lesson 2
January 14 & 15, 2012

Acts 4:12-14, 24-35

INTRODUCTION

Chances are, if God answered all the prayers you have prayed this past year, the only difference it would have made would be in your life and your family. And while that may be great for you and your family, could your prayers be bigger?  Braver?  Bolder?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do churches tend to focus on the “reached” or the “unreached”?

2.  Do most people who leave church and never return do so because of the way they were treated rather or because of theological differences?

3.  How can you ensure that you don’t become too insider-focused at the expense of becoming insensitive to outsiders?

4.  What is the boldest, biggest or bravest prayer you have ever prayed?  What happened as the result of that prayer?

5.  Read Acts 4.  What would your prayers have sounded like in response to threats from local authorities?

6.  Given the church’s response in verse 32-35, is there a connection between boldness and generosity?

WHAT’S NEXT?

God invites us to pray for many things. God invites us to pray for the daily aspects of our lives.  But if the early church provides us with a model for prayer, then God also invites us to pray, big, bravely, and boldly.   It seems that we are called to pray big, bold, God-honoring prayer.   It seems we should be praying prayers big enough they reflect a God who is big enough to answer big prayers.  How big is your God?   Pray this prayer… together.. or as an individual:

Enable me to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch our your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.

WHAT SHOULD WE CHANGE?

 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.
Acts 4:29-30

Lesson 3