Using Passages to Pray

I want to help each of us encourage one to grow in two competencies throughout the rest of 2024.

Competency 1:  Praying prayers that glorify God using the passages of Scripture studied or preached.

This video talks about how to pray Romans 16:1 - 16.

Another prayer tip for you and your group is DON'T SHARE PRAYER REQUESTS. 

O.K., let me clarify that statement. Don't share prayer requests the way you usually do.  

Competency 2:  Asking questions that make the Bible passage studied or preached more applicable.

Here is an article, 8 Tips for Taking Good Sermon Notes, at www.crossway.org/blog/2017/01/8-tips-for-taking-good-sermon-notes/, that could prove very helpful in developing Competency 2. While some of the article promotes a journaling Bible, the whole article has good tips.

Numbers 6, 7, and 8 are especially helpful for sermon-based small groups (and even other studies).

Tip #6.  Before the sermon ends, write a one-sentence summary of the whole message in your own words.

Pastor Dave's Small Group Leader Tip: Pastor Brett often does this.  A good way to implement this tip in your life and the lives of your group members is to use Pastor Brett's summary in your own words.

Tip #7.  Remember that the goal of sermon note-taking is communion with God, not detailed or beautiful notes.

Pastor Dave's Small Group Leader Tip: Your group members need to see your love for God, not only your knowledge of Him. I want to suggest two ways to grow in this.   

First, at the beginning of the meeting, privately ask someone in your group to check your passion level as you lead.  What causes your voice to rise or your speech to quicken 

Second, before your group meets, write down a brief summary statements that passionately communicate the truth of the Bible and your love of God.

#8.  Revisit your sermon notes throughout the week.

Pastor Dave's Small Group Leader Tip: Prayerfully read through your sermon notes as you prepare to lead your group.  You may even want to write some of these prayers down.   Some of these statements may be what you share with your group (see #7).  One of these statements may be your summary statement (see #6).