Feel free to just use these questions rather than the entire guide.
Read Luke 11:5–13. Pastor Shawn called verses 5–8 a parable of contrasts. What does that parable teach you about God?
Have you ever experienced immediate answers to prayer? Have you ever felt like God was resistant to answering your prayers? How have those experiences affected your relationship with God?
Think about a time you prayed for provision yet encountered pain. How can you reframe that viewpoint based on what you learned in the message?
Group Reconnect
If you were asked to contribute a chapter to the Worst-Case Scenario Handbook, what tip would you offer? (e.g., “How to escape from a bear”)
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever loaned or borrowed from a neighbor?
Open in Prayer
Looking for an example of an Opening Prayer? Clickhere.
Message Recap
Jesus’ teaching about prayer in Luke 11 describes God’s heart as He hears our prayers. Although it’s natural to let the truth about situations in our lives dictate what we believe about God, that doesn’t give us an accurate picture of Him. Instead, we should let the truth about God dictate what we believe about our situations.
We can’t fully understand why God responds to prayer in the ways He does. However, Pastor Shawn reminded us of the following principles that can help us synchronize our faith with God’s sovereign schedule:
When the ask is not right, God says NO.
When the timing is not right, God says SLOW.
When I am not right, God says GROW.
Discussion Questions
Share about a time you exhibited persistence. What did you do, and what was the outcome?
Read Luke 11:5–13. Pastor Shawn called verses 5–8 a parable of contrasts. What does that parable teach you about God?
Have you ever experienced immediate answers to prayer? Have you ever felt like God was resistant to answering your prayers? How have those experiences affected your relationship with God?
Think about a time you prayed for provision yet encountered pain. How can you reframe that viewpoint based on what you learned in the message?
Pastor Shawn taught, “Do not let the truth about a situation dictate what you believe about God. Instead, allow the truth about God to dictate what you believe about a situation.” How can you apply this truth when you hear a “No,” “Slow (Not yet),” or “Grow” from God?
Live it Out
Thinking about your experience with answered prayer, consider: What do I really believe about the character of God?
Bring new awareness to your prayers this week. How many are focused on changing other people or situations? Where can I pray, “Lord, change me?”
Pastor Dave shared that the main action step from the Read All About It series is to spend more time in the Bible. Willow’s Adult Engagement Team created two resources to support you in this goal.
Subscribe to our Daily Devotionals to read reflections and next step ideas from the book of Luke written by staff and volunteers across Willow. These devotionals will also include the 21 Days of Prayer content.
You can also download our reflection journal. Using the Gospel of Luke as the primary resource, each chapter includes reflection questions; a dedicated space to capture notes, drawings, thoughts, and prayers; and ways to live out your learning.
Is there another way God is calling you to live out the message this week?
Close in Prayer
Looking for an example of a Closing Prayer? Click here.
