WELCOME ICEBREAKER

What do the keys on your key chain open?

WORSHIP

John 4:23 — But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. Spend time worshipping in spirit and truth.

WORD

The purpose of this meeting is to encourage our home groups to participate in a season of prayer and fasting. As our church family grows to the next level, it will require faith to reach for structure to hold the increase. In this study, encourage your group to join the fast; if you have visitors, be sensitive to their needs and remind them that the principle of prayer and fasting will help them in any impossible situation in life.

1. Read Matthew 17:14-23
   
   
   • What does the man’s body language tell you about his desire for help? How does posture affect our prayers? When do you kneel to pray?
   • What did Jesus say moved the mountain?
   • Why did Jesus have the faith to deal with the demon? What was the difference between Him and the disciples?
   • Jesus rebuked the disciples for not believing. What does Jesus say will move them from unbelief to believing?
   • What affect does fasting have on our prayer life? (See Psalms 35:13)
   • Do you think this experience just applies to casting a demon out of a person or also to the impossible situations in our lives? If so, what impossible situations in your life do you need to pray and fast about?
   • What does the disciples’ grief reveal about them?
     
     
2. Review the Daniel fast with your group. Principles of this type of fast are:
   
   
   • It is a corporate fast not a private fast.
   • It is a time of consecrated prayer for a specific purpose.
   • It is an outer act that reflects an inner desire. Our desire to have Jesus lifted up in our city is greater than our desire for food.
   • It is a time of abstinence from “party” food, drinks and activities.
   • It is a dedication to eat healthy.
   • It is a statement of your faith to others.
   • What foods will you abstain from in this fast?
   • What activities will you eliminate?

WORK

As a group, pick two or three of the items to pray for in your group. Next week pray for the others.

Why are we fasting?

1. For the beginning of two Sunday morning services (9:00 am and 11:00 am) starting September 12, 2004.
   
   
   • Pray that many more would come to know the love of God and accept Jesus Christ into their lives and walk in the victory of the Holy Spirit.
   • Pray for wisdom as we plan this key growth event.
   • Pray for the help needed on our volunteer teams and your participation.
   • Pray that every member would reach out to invite his or her friends and family.
     
     
2. For our 10th anniversary weekend September 10-12.
   
   
   • For a great outreach to the community and that many friends of Coastal Church can come and celebrate what God has done.
     
     
3. For continued home group growth.
   
   
   • Pray for new Coastal attendees to find a home group where they can fit in.
   • Pray for the leaders and hosts of these new groups.
   • Pray for wisdom in the oversight of these valuable groups.
     
     
4. For the renovation project of our existing facility.
   
   
   • Pray for the final arrangements with the city and developer. Pray for these leaders.
   • Pray for wisdom to plan wisely for the future.
   • Pray for our temporary meeting place and offices.
     
     
5. For the Woodward's development project to include a church presence.

Has this lesson helped you? Please let us know! Email home group testimonies with this form!

However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 — NIV