September 18, 2022

Companions for the Journey: Growing in Prayer Together

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Growing in Prayer Together

Message Outline

1 Timothy 2:1–7 (NIV)

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

As spiritual friends, we encourage each other to...


1. Pray in every way for everyone, especially those in authority…

petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people

  • Petitions: requests, pleas, begging with a sense of urgency
  • Prayers: speak to God, refers to a place of prayer
  • Intercession: to speak/pray on someone else’s behalf
  • Thanksgiving: words of thanks and gratefulness

2. ...in order to live the good news of Jesus, and...

that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.


If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)

3. ...desire everyone you know to grow in faith.

All people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.


Exploring Christ: I believe in God, but I am not sure about Christ.

Growing in Christ: I believe in Christ and I am working on what it means to get to know him.

Close to Christ: I feel really close to Christ and depend on him daily for guidance.

Christ-Centered: My relationship with Christ is the most important relationship in my life.

4. Note: The challenge of sharing the good news.

I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.


“How the monastic community prepared people to live with depth, compassion, and power in

mission… Voluntary periods of solitary isolation… anam cara, that is your soul friend, small

group, in the common life, meals, learning, biblical recitations, prayers, ministries and worship…gained experience and witness to pre-Christian people.” George G. Hunter, The Celtic Way of Evangelism


Spiritual Friendship: “I meet with or talk to a close friend who helps me grow spiritually on a monthly

basis.”


Find someone to share in conversation about the following questions:

  • How did you first come to SBPC?
  • How long have you been coming ?
  • Why have you stayed?

Small Group Questions

CONNECT WITH GOD (choose one of these practices of remembering that best suits your group)


Remembering

Explain: The practice of remembering invites us to be attentive to God’s movement in our lives over time. During these next 5 minutes consider a few of the ways that God has been faithful. Begin this practice now but continue it throughout the week. Let it be a gift to remember God’s faithfulness.


Alone: Spend five minutes praying or journaling about how God has acted in your life or the life of your family, or community. What stories come to mind about God’s faithfulness? It’s okay if you find yourself unsure of God’s faithfulness in your own life. Take time to journal or pray about that feeling instead. Have there been times in your life when someone recognized God’s faithfulness for you?


Breath Prayer

This is an ancient practice that invites us to slow down from and awaken ourselves—even our breath—to the presence of God. It is an invitation to remember that God is closer to us than even our own breath! This week you are invited to use the phrase “God Our Savior.” As you focus on breathing in and out, allow the words to flow out from inward breath to outward breath.

  1. Inhale: “God”
  2. Exhale “Our Savior”
  3. Continue on for a few minutes at a slowed pace, making space for a growing awareness of God’s Holy Spirit.

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 


Journaling

Spend 5-7 minutes reading and responding to 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-19 and 1 Timothy 2:1-7. You might consider the following questions while journaling:

  • Describe the friendship between Paul and Timothy.
  • What is most impactful for you as you consider these two passages?
  • With the example of Paul and Timothy, what might a spiritual friendship look like for you?


Share together

After 5-7 minutes, share your reflections as a group.

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE (Read the passages and review the sermon outline. Then select the

best questions or customize the questions for your group)

  • Read 1 Timothy 2:1-7
  • Read the main points from the sermon outline.
  • In your life: have you experienced a soul friendship like the one between Timothy and Paul?
  • What do you notice about the friendship between Timothy and Paul?
  • Which types of prayer come easiest for you? Which are most difficult for you to pray (v.1, v. 2)?
  • Spend time reflecting together on what it means to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (v.2) What is challenging about an exhortation like this?
  • What can we learn about who God is through this passage?

CONNECT WITH GOD’S MISSION IN THE WORLD (select one question for discussion)


  • How might a soul friend help us to connect with God’s mission in the world? In other words, how does this kind of friendship point to God’s purposes in the world?
  • How does 1 Timothy 2:3 point to God’s mission in the world?
  • There are challenges of sharing the good news. In what ways might you grow in faith so that you might “live with depth, compassion, and power in mission”?

PRAYER

Spend time praying in a variety of ways for one another this week. Share with one another and

then pray for one another through petitions, intercession, and thanksgiving.