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May 16, 2010

STRESSBUSTERS – The Prayer Of Connection

GETTING TO KNOW YOU….

1. As we approach our ‘Summer Break’ from Courage Crossing, what/how will you ‘fill the space’ in your life during the Summer Months? How will you plan to ‘take up the slack’ spiritually?

2. This Week as Pastor Dave Spoke On The Prayer Of Connection he touched on how our relationship with our Earthly/Human father can affect how we view our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. What are your memories of your human father? How do you think of him/remember him?

DIGGING DEEPER….

1. God Is A Caring Father
a. Read Psalm 139:1-6
The Psalmist speaks of God’s ability to intimately know us… our heart… our actions… our life. How does this fact impact God’s Ability to care about and for you? What are the areas in your life that you are struggling to carry that you need to turn over to Him?

Read I Peter 5:7. How can we practice this in a practical manner in life?
Collaboratively Make An Exhaustive List Of All Of The Things In Life God Cares About?

2. God Is A Consistent Father
a. Faithfulness is an attribute/quality of God’s life.
‘Even if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown Himself.’ 2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV)

‘..God will never go back on His promises.’ Romans 11:29 (LB)

‘My God is changeless in His love for me. He is caring and He is consistent.’ Psalm 59:10

*How many areas can you list where God has been faithful to you? List as many areas as you can and spend some time rejoicing in prayer either individually or together.

3. God Is A Close Father
a. What does it mean to you when you hear that God is ‘Close’?

b. Dave Listed Facts About What It Means to have a God who is close.
(1) He is never too busy for me… Psalm 145:18
(2) He loves to meet my needs Matthew 7:11
(3) He is sympathetic to my hurts Psalm 34:18

*How do these facts impact what/how you feel about God’s closeness?

4. God Is A Competent Father
a. One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 3:20; ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think…’
1) Share some things where you have seen or experienced God ‘doing exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think..’
2) What are some areas you are now aware of that need to be placed in the hands of your Competent Heavenly Father, trusting that He will ‘do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.’

TAKING IT HOME

The Lord’s Prayer begins: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’ Truly, God’s name is Hallowed…and one of the chief reasons is because he is a Caring, Consistent, Close and Competent Father. This evening and as you go home, reach out to Him in a season of serious prayer… Praying for all of the issues that have been touched in this lesson… and, Thanking God for who and what He is….