OVERVIEW OF SCRIPTURE
Prior to group, get a better understanding of the overall biblical text with these resources.
Main Scripture: Matthew 6:9–10
Introduction to Matthew: Click here for a brief summary on the Gospel of Matthew.
KNOW
Allow these questions to help you better understand what Scripture says contextually.
READ AND FOCUS ON MATTHEW 6:9
When Jesus prays, He begins by addressing His Father in heaven. Jesus came, in part, to make it possible for mankind to be in relationship with God the Father through faith. There is no evidence of anyone before Jesus using this term (“Father”) to address God. This reference to God as “Father” also separates Christian prayer from many other faiths: to begin a prayer with the equivalent of “Our Father in heaven” is almost unthinkable for non-Christians.
- Have you ever considered that we can only have one of two spiritual fathers? Compare one option in John 1:12-13 to the other option spoken of in John 8:44.
- Why is it important to note that there is no in-between?
Throughout the Bible (the Old Testament specifically) God is given many names based on His attributes, telling us both who He is and what He is like. Their significance lies in what they reveal about His character.
- Do you view God’s name as precious (Psalm 9:10)? As powerful (Psalm 20:7)? As something to be revered and hallowed (Psalm 34:3)? Do you include this in your prayer time?
READ AND FOCUS ON MATTHEW 6:10
Although God is completely sovereign, Satan has temporarily been given power over the earth (1 John 5:19 & 2 Corinthians 4:4). Yet, as believers, even though we currently reside in a kingdom that is not ruled by God, we have nothing to fear (Colossians 1:13, and 1 John 4:4).
- What does Jesus Himself tell us about this kingdom? Reference John 18:36, Luke 4:43, Matthew 24:14, and Luke 17:20-30.
- When Jesus prays “Thy kingdom come,” what exactly is He praying for?
- Why should we pray the same?
- Do you have an intense desire and anticipation for the arrival of God’s coming kingdom?
Jesus is praying for the coming of God’s kingdom and the fulfillment of His will, in all places and all times.
- Have you ever had a difficult time comprehending the balance between presenting our requests to God and asking that His will be done in our lives?
- Has this “paradox” ever caused you to cease praying because you figured that God’s will is too strong to resist, so why even bother with your requests? Why is this method of thinking faulty? What does God tell us to do? Reference Philippians 4:6, Luke 18:1, James 5:16, Matthew 7:7, and Psalm 18:6.
- What example does Jesus provide for us in His own fervent and desperate plea? Read Matthew 26:39, 42 and discuss with your group.
Before we are perfected in heaven, we will remain sinful humans and thus our own desires will never completely coincide with our holy God’s.
- Still, as we seek to follow in Jesus’ footsteps while also presenting our personal requests to God, how can we best align ourselves with His kingdom? Reference John 15:7-11 and Romans 12:2.
GROW
These questions are geared towards application of Scripture and Sunday’s message.
In Verses 9-10, we see a model of how to pray to God with reverence and honor, seeking His will.
- Reflect on your own prayer life, compare the similarities and differences between how Jesus teaches us to pray with how you pray?
- What are some helpful habits you’ve incorporated to keep you communing with God daily?
For some, bringing up the subject of a perfect heavenly Father can be difficult especially when compared to our imperfect earthly father.
- What are the ideal/desirable qualities of an earthly father and how does God encompass all of these traits?
- How can our experiences, good or bad, with our earthly fathers impact the way we see God as our heavenly father?
- Why is it so important not to allow these experiences to alter the truth of who God actually is?
- Do you truly view God as your “father?”
- What do 1 John 3:1-2 and Romans 8:15-17 tell us about this special relationship that we have with God?
Jesus begins his prayer by praising God and recognizing His name as supremely holy.
- Do you begin your prayers in such a way, or do you dive right into your personal needs and requests?
- Why is it important to open up our conversations with the Lord in this manner and how does it properly align our mindset for time with God?
- How would your prayers change if they began with recognizing and submitting as opposed to asking?
One might rightly wonder why God wants us to pray that His will would be done, as if He were not able to accomplish it Himself. God is more than able to do His will without our prayer or cooperation; yet He invites the participation of our prayers, our heart, and our actions in seeing His will be done on earth as it is in heaven
- Understanding that God already knows our needs and desires, have you ever considered that one very important purpose of prayer is to submit our will to God, not to impose our will on God?
- How does viewing prayer in such a way change how you will approach it in the future?
Praying “Your will be done” is often an extremely difficult thing to do.
- Does saying these words frighten you?
- What can we remind ourselves of when we are afraid to trust God? Reference Psalm 18:30, Isaiah 25:1, and Deuteronomy 7:9.
Each one of us has experienced unanswered prayer(s).
- Has an unanswered prayer ever caused you to question your faith?
- Review and discuss with your group what we learned about this week regarding how our response to unanswered prayer reveals our view of God.
GO
Take a next step and put your faith into action!
Reflecting on today’s message and looking forward to the week ahead…
- Who or what can you be interceding for this week?
- If you don’t have a healthy prayer life, what is preventing you from having one?
- What can you do to begin consistent communication and relationship with God?
- Do you truly want God’s kingdom and agenda to be your priority? Why or why not? If not, what is keeping you from fully submitting to this?
PRAYER
Pray for one another and bring your requests to God.
Northwest Prayer Highlight: Pray for:
- Those impacted by the recent hurricanes in the south.
- Interested in helping? See how you can help here.
Prayer Team:
Interested in praying with and for others. Learn more by reaching out to us through prayer@nwbible.org.
Small Group Prayer Requests: Take some time to gather prayer requests from the group. Have someone write these down to see how God moves and answers prayer.