Tom is determined to become the fastest 8 year old ever and now he's got the bike to pull it off. He's just missing one thing... the race! Join Tom and his family as he pursues his quest for glory, and along the way he just might learn what it means to glorify God... no matter what speed bumps come along.

Over the course of 4 episodes, Tom will go on a pretty big adventure. Just as he is on the verge of glory, he suffers a pretty devastating loss. Will Tom learn what glory means in time for Christmas? Listen to The Fastest Christmas Ever beginning December 2nd!

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Final Episode! Episode 6 of The Purpose Practice and Power of Prayer series. This is a church small group Bible study series from Buddy Owens at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.

CHECKING IN

1. Share something you are thankful for.

2. How did our lesson on “Praying with Persistence and Power” impact your prayers this past week?

KEY VERSE
In all things God works for the good of those who

love him.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What do you take away from Job’s story and from his
2. response to God?
3. “Jesus knows what it’s like to pray to a God who says ‘no.’ ” Discuss this truth.
4. Do you have a vivid example in your life of God’s “no” turning out to be a “yes”?
5. How have you grown as a result of this study? What changes have you made or do you plan to make? How do you see prayer differently?

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

This week, start and end each day praying with your hands the way Buddy closed this session. Start with your hands open and bring your requests before God. Turn your palms down, surrendering to God. Then turn your hands back up to receive God’s grace.

PRAYER DIRECTION

As a group, thank God for the work he has done and the seeds he has planted through this study. Ask him to continue growing each group member’s prayer life. Thank him for being a God who listens to us, cares about what we care about, and loves us unconditionally.

DIVING DEEPER

Dive deeper this week by watching Pastor Rick’s message, “What to Remember When Things Don’t Go Your Way.”

Tom is determined to become the fastest 8 year old ever and now he's got the bike to pull it off. He's just missing one thing... the race! Join Tom and his family as he pursues his quest for glory, and along the way he just might learn what it means to glorify God... no matter what speed bumps come along.

Over the course of 4 episodes, Tom will go on a pretty big adventure. Just as he is on the verge of glory, he suffers a pretty devastating loss. Will Tom learn what glory means in time for Christmas? Listen to The Fastest Christmas Ever beginning December 2nd!

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Episode 5 of The Purpose Practice and Power of Prayer series. This is a church small group Bible study series from Buddy Owens at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.

CHECKING IN

1. Share something you are thankful for.

2. Did you try using the pattern for prayer we talked about last week? What did you experience?

KEY VERSE

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7–8 (NIV)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Has there been a time when you had to pray persistently for something? Talk about your experience. What did you learn about God in the process?
2. “The prayer of a man or woman of the Word is energized by the power of God and is a great force capable of extraordinary deeds.” What does this tell you about the relationship between Scripture and prayer?
3. In the Lord’s Prayer, our requests come before our confession. What do you think Jesus is teaching us by putting the prayer in this order?
4. Confession is a part of prayer. Just as we need daily bread, we also need daily forgiveness. And the Bible promises that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). How does this promise impact your confidence in coming to God in prayer?

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

When you talk to God, it’s not the words but the intent
that counts. God is not looking for eloquence. He just wants honesty. Pray from your heart. This week, continue practicing the way Jesus taught us to pray. Think of the name by which the Lord will be most glorified in answering your prayer.

Do you need him to be your Healer, your Provider, your Counselor or Comforter? Call on him by name, present your request, then surrender yourself to his sovereignty.

• Begin with praise and surrender by saying something like this: “My Father, let your name be glorified in my life . . . or My King, let your name be glorified in this challenge . . . or My Master, let your name be glorified in this decision that I’m about to make. My Provider, my Savior, my Guide, my Deliverer, let your name be glorified in whatever it is I’m facing.”
• Then present your petitions to God. Pour your heart out to God and let him know what you need.
• Finish your prayer with surrender and praise by saying something like, “Having said all of that, Lord, I want your will to be done more than anything else because I want to live my life for your glory.”

PRAYER DIRECTION

If anybody shared any persistent prayers out of the first discussion question, take time as a group to pray for those together.

DIVING DEEPER

Dive deeper this week by watching Doable Discipleship: Episode 70, Buddy Owens and the Practice of Fasting.

Tom is determined to become the fastest 8 year old ever and now he's got the bike to pull it off. He's just missing one thing... the race! Join Tom and his family as he pursues his quest for glory, and along the way he just might learn what it means to glorify God... no matter what speed bumps come along.

Over the course of 4 episodes, Tom will go on a pretty big adventure. Just as he is on the verge of glory, he suffers a pretty devastating loss. Will Tom learn what glory means in time for Christmas? Listen to The Fastest Christmas Ever beginning December 2nd!

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Episode 4 of The Purpose Practice and Power of Prayer series. This is a church small group Bible study series from Buddy Owens at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.

CHECKING IN

1. Share something you are thankful for.

2. Your group is now halfway through this study. What is one thing that has stuck with you so far?

KEY VERSE

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This week’s discussion questions center on the seven relationships seen in the Lord’s Prayer. For each statement, discuss what you hear, think, and feel.

1. “You are my father. I am your child. I trust your love.”

2. “You are my king. I am your subject. I trust your authority.”

3. “You are my master. I am your servant. I trust your wisdom.”
4. “You are my provider. I am your dependent. I trust your faithfulness.”
5. “You are my savior. I am a sinner. I trust your mercy.”
6. “You are my guide. I am a pilgrim. I trust your direction.”
7. “You are my deliverer. I am a captive. I trust you to set me free.”

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

This week, practice praying the way Jesus taught us to pray. Think of the name by which the Lord will be most glorified in answering your prayer. Do you need him to be your Healer, your Provider, your Counselor or Comforter? Call on him

by name, present your request, then surrender yourself to his sovereignty.

• Begin with praise and surrender by saying something like this: “My Father, let your name be glorified in my life . . . or My King, let your name be glorified in this challenge . . . or My Master, let your name be glorified in this decision that I’m about to make. My Provider, my Savior, my Guide, my Deliverer, let your name be glorified in whatever it is I’m facing.”
• Then present your petitions to God. Pour your heart out to God and let him know what you need.
• Finally, finish your prayer with surrender and praise by saying, “Having said all of that, Lord, I want your will to be done more than anything else because I want my life to be lived for your glory.”

PRAYER DIRECTION
Begin PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE right now with your group. (See above.) Share your prayer requests. By what name will the Lord be most glorified in answering your prayer today? Call on him by name, present your requests, then surrender yourself to his sovereignty.

DIVING DEEPER

Dive deeper this week by watching Buddy Owens’ message, How to Pray When You Haven’t Got a Prayer.