If you missed Sunday January 12th’s message, “The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father In Heaven”, you can watch or listen to it online by clicking here. In your Home Church, use as many or as few of these discussion questions as you need to in order to start a good conversation:
- Pray together to open things up, concluding with The Lord’s Prayer.
- Tonight’s discussion is about the first line (‘the address’ of the prayer), “Our Father in Heaven“. What does this line say to you about the nature and character God?
- What is the significance of the first word in this line, “Our“? Why do you think Jesus taught us to pray such a communal prayer? Does considering that God being our Father makes all Christians siblings change the way you view others, or the way you pray?
- How might your experience with your earthly father be impacting your ability to connect with God as Father (“Abba”, “Daddy”)?
- Jeff talked about three things that we receive from God as our Father: 1. A New Identity (Ephesians 1:4-5), 2. Safety & Security (Deuteronomy 31:6), and 3. Provision (James 1:17). Which of these three things speak to you and your story the most? Why? What are some things that could be added to this list?
- What makes the the phrase “in heaven” so confusing for some? What was Jesus actually saying by telling us to pray to “Our Father in Heaven.” (think “closer than the air that we breathe” + “sovereign over all”) What are the implications of this as we approach God in prayer? (see Psalm 139:13-16)
- In what areas of your relationship with God do you need to experience more of his fathering? What words or images come to mind when you think of God as your Father? How might praying The Lord’s Prayer daily + deeply change the way you see God (and the way you see yourself, and others)?
- Spend some time in prayer, thanking God our Father for being a good Father who is closer than the air that we breathe.
