COURAGEOUS PRAYER
1. What does courage look like?
Last week, we explored courageous conversations, having the courage to speak honestly, share our faith and engage with people about the things that matter. This week, we’re turning our attention to courageous prayer.
When we think of courage, we often picture someone doing something bold, facing danger or standing up for what is right. But perhaps some of the most courageous things we do happen quietly, in the presence of God.
Opening question:
Do you think courage means not being afraid, or doing something faithful even when you are afraid?
2. SEARCH ME: The courage to be known by God
Read Psalm 139:1–6 and 23–24.
Notice what David does not pray. He doesn’t just ask God to examine his enemies, fix his circumstances or show him what everyone else needs to change. He invites God to examine him. That is a courageous prayer.
Discuss together:
3. STRENGTHEN ME: The courage to trust God with our fears
Read 2 Timothy 1:6–8.
Paul writes to Timothy, a younger leader facing challenges in his ministry. Paul encourages him to fan into flame the gift God has given him and reminds him:
Notice the three things Paul brings together:
* Power: God’s strength to do what we cannot manage through our own determination alone.
* Love: The motivation to act for the good of others, rather than simply to protect ourselves or prove ourselves.
* Self-discipline: The ability to respond wisely and faithfully, rather than being ruled by our immediate feelings.
Discuss together:
4. SEND ME: The courage to participate in God’s work
Read Acts 4:23–31.
Peter and John have been threatened by the authorities because they have been speaking about Jesus. When they return to their fellow believers, the community gathers to pray.
Discuss together:
5. Search me. Strengthen me. Send me.
Look back over Psalm 139:23–24.
We are not simply asking God to reveal our shortcomings. We are inviting the God who knows us completely and loves us faithfully to lead us into a new way of living. And as we allow God to work within us, we become more ready to participate in what he is doing around us.
A challenge for the week
Each day this week, take a few moments to pray:
Search me. What do you want to change in me?
Strengthen me. Where do I need your courage today?
Send me. What is one faithful step I can take?
Last week, we explored courageous conversations, having the courage to speak honestly, share our faith and engage with people about the things that matter. This week, we’re turning our attention to courageous prayer.
When we think of courage, we often picture someone doing something bold, facing danger or standing up for what is right. But perhaps some of the most courageous things we do happen quietly, in the presence of God.
Opening question:
Do you think courage means not being afraid, or doing something faithful even when you are afraid?
2. SEARCH ME: The courage to be known by God
Read Psalm 139:1–6 and 23–24.
Notice what David does not pray. He doesn’t just ask God to examine his enemies, fix his circumstances or show him what everyone else needs to change. He invites God to examine him. That is a courageous prayer.
Discuss together:
- What stands out to you about David’s prayer? Is there anything surprising about it?
- Why can it be easier to pray for God to change our circumstances or other people than to ask him to change us?
- What is the difference between feeling condemned by our shortcomings and allowing God to show us where we need to grow?
- What might it look like for God to lead you into a new way of living in one area of your life?
3. STRENGTHEN ME: The courage to trust God with our fears
Read 2 Timothy 1:6–8.
Paul writes to Timothy, a younger leader facing challenges in his ministry. Paul encourages him to fan into flame the gift God has given him and reminds him:
Notice the three things Paul brings together:
* Power: God’s strength to do what we cannot manage through our own determination alone.
* Love: The motivation to act for the good of others, rather than simply to protect ourselves or prove ourselves.
* Self-discipline: The ability to respond wisely and faithfully, rather than being ruled by our immediate feelings.
Discuss together:
- What is the difference between being fearless and being courageous?
- Which of the three qualities in 2 Timothy 1:7 power, love or self-discipline, do you most need when facing something difficult? Why?
- Have you ever experienced a time when you were afraid but found the courage to do something you believed was right? What helped you?
- How might your prayers change if, instead of asking only for a difficult situation to go away, you also asked God to strengthen you to respond faithfully?
4. SEND ME: The courage to participate in God’s work
Read Acts 4:23–31.
Peter and John have been threatened by the authorities because they have been speaking about Jesus. When they return to their fellow believers, the community gathers to pray.
Discuss together:
- What do you notice about their prayer in Acts 4? What do they ask God for?
- Why might they have asked for boldness rather than simply asking God to protect them from opposition?
- Where might fear, comfort or concern about what other people think be keeping us from doing something we believe is right?
- What could it look like for us to become a community that helps one another take courageous steps of faith?
5. Search me. Strengthen me. Send me.
Look back over Psalm 139:23–24.
We are not simply asking God to reveal our shortcomings. We are inviting the God who knows us completely and loves us faithfully to lead us into a new way of living. And as we allow God to work within us, we become more ready to participate in what he is doing around us.
A challenge for the week
Each day this week, take a few moments to pray:
Search me. What do you want to change in me?
Strengthen me. Where do I need your courage today?
Send me. What is one faithful step I can take?
COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS
1. WHAT MAKES TALKING ABOUT FAITH HARD?
2. READ JOHN 4:27–30
The woman has just had an extraordinary conversation with Jesus. He knows her story, speaks into the deeper places of her life and then reveals himself to her as the Messiah. And then she does something remarkably simple. She goes back to her community.
DISCUSS
PERSONAL REFLECTION
If someone asked you: “Why do you follow Jesus?” What would you say?
3. READ JOHN 4:31–38
While the woman is talking to the town, Jesus is talking to his disciples. He tells them: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” The disciples can see a Samaritan town. Jesus sees people whom God is already drawing towards himself
DISCUSS
4. READ JOHN 4:39–42
DISCUSS
According to verses 39–42, what part does the woman's testimony play?
Discuss this statement:
“Success isn't whether someone becomes a Christian at the end of the conversation. Success might be faithfully having the conversation.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
5 COURAGEOUS CHALLENGE
Think of one person. Ask yourself: Who might Jesus be inviting me to have a courageous conversation with?
Then consider: What could your next step be?
It might be:
PRAY - Begin regularly praying for them.
ASK - Ask a question that opens a deeper conversation.
SHARE -Tell them something about what Jesus has meant in your own life.
INVITE -Invite them to church, Alpha, Life to Share, Christmas at New Community, or another place where they can explore faith.
- When was the last time you had a conversation about faith with someone who doesn't follow Jesus?
- What made the conversation easy or difficult?
- What makes talking about Jesus feel risky?
- What are you personally most afraid might happen if you talked openly about Jesus with someone who doesn't share your faith?
2. READ JOHN 4:27–30
The woman has just had an extraordinary conversation with Jesus. He knows her story, speaks into the deeper places of her life and then reveals himself to her as the Messiah. And then she does something remarkably simple. She goes back to her community.
DISCUSS
- What do you notice about the way the woman talks about Jesus?
- What doesn't she do?
- Why do you think personal testimony can sometimes be more powerful than trying to win an argument?
- What is the difference between telling someone what they should believe and telling them what you have discovered about Jesus?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
If someone asked you: “Why do you follow Jesus?” What would you say?
3. READ JOHN 4:31–38
While the woman is talking to the town, Jesus is talking to his disciples. He tells them: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” The disciples can see a Samaritan town. Jesus sees people whom God is already drawing towards himself
DISCUSS
- What might Jesus be trying to teach his disciples here?
- What might it mean for us to “open our eyes” to people around us?
- Have you ever discovered that someone was much more open to talking about faith than you expected?
- How would our conversations change if we believed God was already at work before we arrived?
4. READ JOHN 4:39–42
DISCUSS
According to verses 39–42, what part does the woman's testimony play?
- What happens that is beyond her control?
- What does this teach us about our responsibility when we talk to someone about Jesus?
Discuss this statement:
“Success isn't whether someone becomes a Christian at the end of the conversation. Success might be faithfully having the conversation.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
5 COURAGEOUS CHALLENGE
Think of one person. Ask yourself: Who might Jesus be inviting me to have a courageous conversation with?
Then consider: What could your next step be?
It might be:
PRAY - Begin regularly praying for them.
ASK - Ask a question that opens a deeper conversation.
SHARE -Tell them something about what Jesus has meant in your own life.
INVITE -Invite them to church, Alpha, Life to Share, Christmas at New Community, or another place where they can explore faith.