The Cause Community Churchlife Groups: Fall Semester 2009

The Cause Community ChurchLife Groups: Fall Semester 2009

INVADING THE IMPOSSIBLE

Discussion 5: “The Only Way to Fly (Praise)”

Book reading to prepare for this discussion:

Read Chapters 13 and 14 of Prayer is Invading the Impossibleby Jack Hayford.

Encourage everyone in your Life Group to have read this before attending so they can be better prepared for the discussion.

Reminder: This is a guide. Adjust the amount of content based on the needs of your group.

I. Group Welcome/Icebreaker, if necessary (Suggested time: 3-5 min.)

II. Life Sharing (Suggested time: 10-15 min.)

Allow each individual or couple to share about how they are doing personally.

III. Personal Prayer Needs (Suggested time: 10-15 min.)

Take time to pray for all needs in the group.

Write these needs down in your DNA Journal so you can remember to pray for them and ask about them at your next gathering.

IV. DNA Journal Sharing (Suggested time: 3-5 min.)

Allow people to share about what God is speaking to them through their daily reading using their DNA Journal.

V. Last Discussion Review and New Discussion Introduction (Suggested time: 3-5 min.)

Last Topic: “The Syndrome of Silence”

Just ask God; why prayers are not answered; sin and prayer (p. 91)
Ch. 11-12

New Topic: “The Only Way to Fly (Praise)”

Different aspects to prayer (ch. 14); praise makes a place for God’s rule (ch. 13)
Ch. 13-14

VI. DVD Discussion Introduction With Pastor Bob (Approximately 6-10 min.)

Play “Invading the Impossible” DVD (Discussion 5).

VII. Lesson/Discussion (Suggested time: 20-30 min.)

“Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth” (p. 112).

How has your idea of prayer been changed and/or challenged since we started “Invading the Impossible” in Life Groups?

Have you ever been discouraged to pray because God did not answer a prayer the way you wanted Him to? Explain.

“There will be times when that monster doesn’t yield to our assaults in prayer. There will be times when it does quickly, suddenly – and we will savor the triumph.

But the problem of ‘why not always’ [why prayer does not always yield the results we desire] is too often resolved by a timid move away from the bold declaration that ‘all things are possible.’ The loveliness of learning the sanity and symmetry of truth is that is will keep you free.

Free from cowardice when confronted by the impossible. Free from having to answer every question when answers are not immediately forthcoming.

Free to acknowledge that however much we may learn, we will not learn everything in this lifetime.

Free to resist and reject doubt, and still have love and receptivity toward those who do.

Free to keep praying even when called foolish for doing so.

Free to believe…and to receive.

Free to be moved with compassion and still pray with authority.

Free to shudder with fear or pain and not be dominated by either…and pray again.

And free to fight. To invade. The impossible yields before prayer” (p. 114-115).

What do you think about this quote from the book?
How does it encourage you to pray?

Read Ephesians 6:18.

“…the believer’s participation as an invader of the impossible – standing in the spiritual struggle and making inroads on the workings of the adversary’s dark kingdom – requires the use of ‘all prayer.’ We might call it all kinds of praying, at all times and by all means” (p. 112).
Just as a diamond has different facets, so does prayer. Tonight and for the remainder of our Life Group meetings (and your reading in the book), we will learn about the different facets of prayer.

What do you know about praise (praising God)?

How has praise been a part of your relationship with God?

Read Psalm 9:1; 33:1; 92:1; 100:4; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 5:12.

What do you learn about praise from these verses?

Which statement do you agree with more?:

“We should praise God FOR every circumstance,”

“We should praise God IN every circumstance.” Explain your answer.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

What do you notice about this verse?
“…the Word of God does not command us to thank God for every heartrending pain, evil, tragedy, or trouble that crosses our path. Instead it tells us to never let circumstances dampen our praise.

And the verse does not say ‘for’ everything give thanks, but ‘in’ everything. Whatever the situation, irrespective of how bleak, we are to praise God, but not for what He did to us, or for what He let happen, but that He is greater than the circumstance and that His love will guarantee our triumph over the test” [Romans 8:31-39 discusses this] (p. 103).

How does this affect the way you think about praise?

Read Psalm 22:1-3[This psalm is often called “the psalm of the Cross” because it prophesied several details of Jesus’ death a thousand years before its occurrence (p. 105-106)].

What stands out to you about this passage?
Verse 3in the New King James Version (NKJV) says: “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
The Hebrew word translated “enthroned” in the NKJV is yawshah, which literally means “to sit down, to dwell, or to remain.” With reference to a king, it means “to be enthroned.” God is enthroned upon the praises of His people (p. 106).
“In essence, the psalm is declaring, ‘In spite of the hell that is breaking loose around me, to the extent that I feel forsaken by God, I still declare that You are entirely faithful (holy).’ It is a psalm that affirms God’s goodness while at the same time crying out for His presence” (p. 106).
(For further reading and discussion about the power of praise in the midst of incredible difficulty, see Acts 16:16-34).

“Praise is not psychological improvement of your attitude….Neither is praise…making cheerful sounds, and hoping to stir activity [from God]…Praise is not intended to compliment God…

Praise is an instrument of violence.

Praise upsets the climate which furthers the growth of so much of life’s suffering, confusion, turmoil, and strife. Praise destroys the atmosphere in which sickness, defeat, discouragement, and futility flourish. Praise beats out hell’s brush fires. Praise breathes heaven’s life into the vacuum death produces on earth. The consequent tornado of holy power will cast down the obstacles which sin, self, sickness, and Satan have erected….

Praise lays a foundation for God’s ruling power to descend upon – for His throne’s rule and intent to dwell in the middle of our muddle. Praise makes a place for God’s rule – His throne – to rest, and thereby begin to overrule the furies hell is working around us” (p. 105, 107).

What have you learned about the role of praise in “invading the impossible” prayer?

VIII. “Invading the Impossible” Prayer (Suggested time: 10-15 min.):

Focus your prayers on thanking and praising God.

IX. Important Church Announcements (Suggested time: 2-3 min.):

Encourage people to participate in upcoming church opportunities, events, or worship services (Refer to The Connection for details).