Drew Oakley

February 2023

Two thousand years ago, a gathering of people in a Middle-Eastern city began a movement. Encircling the globe and leaving its mark on individuals and cultures on every continent, this movement would eventually become known as the church.

INTRODUCTION
Chances are, if God answered all the prayers you have prayed this past year, the only difference it would have made is in your life and your family. And while that may be great for you and your family, could your prayers be bigger? Bolder?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do churches tend to focus on the “reached” or the “unreached”?

2. Do most people who leave church and never return do so because of the way they were treated rather or because of theological differences?

3. How can you ensure that you don’t become too insider-focused at the expense of becoming insensitive to outsiders?

4. What is the boldest prayer you’ve ever prayed? What happened as a result of that prayer?

5. Read Acts 4. What would your prayers have sounded like in response to threats from local authorities?

6. Given the church’s response in verses 32-35, is there a connection between boldness and generosity?

MOVING FORWARD

God invites us to pray for many things. God invites us to pray for the daily aspects of our lives. But if the early church provides us a model for prayer, then God also invites us to pray with boldness . . . to pray big, bold, God-honoring prayers. In fact, let’s pray this together:

Enable me to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.

CHANGING YOUR MIND

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. Acts 4:29-30