This Sunday (31st July) is the fourth instalment of our series of Frontline Sundays entitled “Whoever we are.” As usual the Sunday Service is at 10-30am at Maidstone Road.
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For Reflection & Discussion
The sermon reflected on the Lord’s prayer – much the same as you will do below. The Lord’s Prayer can be so familiar that we skate through it without stopping to think about what we are praying, and even less about what it means for us as God’s people caught up in what he’s doing in the world. The wonder of the prayer is that it starts with an assurance of our identity. And that makes all the difference in the world.
Read Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven
What does it mean for you that you are a son or daughter of your heavenly Father? How easy or difficult is it for you to trust God as your heavenly Father? Why is that? Are there times in your life when it’s made a great difference to know God as your heavenly Father?
Hallowed be your name
When we become Christians, we can act as though we’ve enlisted God for our lives, for our concerns and causes. However, when we begin to pray the Lord’s Prayer, we’re reminded that what’s actually happened is that God, through Jesus, has drawn us into his family business. Do you agree with this statement? To what extent? Why?
In what ways do you think that your life on your frontline matters in God’s purposes? Can you think of something that happened this week in your life on the frontline that you think delighted God?
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
What could be some of God’s kingdom purposes on your frontline? How would you turn this into a prayer?
Give us today our daily bread
What needs do you have on your frontline that keep you dependent on God? How easy or difficult is it to depend on God in this way? Why is that?
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors
Think about your relationships on your frontline. Is there someone to forgive? Is there someone to ask forgiveness of?
Think about your relationship with God. Take a moment in silence to talk to God about anything you regret and repent of. Ask for his forgiveness.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one
Think about one pressure point and one kingdom purpose on your frontline. How are you tempted not to trust your heavenly Father for these things? What protection do you need from God in these situations?