WELCOME ICEBREAKER

Have you ever fasted? What benefits did you experience?

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 this season of praying and fasting. In this study encourage your group to join the fast. If you have visitors be sensitive to their needs and remind them that prayer and fasting will help them in any impossible situation in their life and they should not feel obligated to join.

Please refer to the following questions and verses to lead a discussion on fasting. Remember to facilitate the discussion and avoid be the “expert” or “teacher”.

1. Do you think fasting is optional for Christians? How often should a person fast? Look up Matthew 6:16 which shows us that fasting is an expected part of our lifestyle as praying and giving is.
2. Read Matthew 17:14-21
   1. What does the man’s posture tell you about his desire for help? How does posture affect our prayers? When do you kneel to pray?
   2. Where was the child in relation to the father when Jesus rebuked the devil? What does this tell us about distance in the spiritual realm?
   3. Jesus rebuked the disciples for not believing. What does Jesus tell them they will need to do to have the faith to move the mountain?
   4. What affect does fasting have on our prayer life? (See Psalm 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?

WORK

Review with your group the time period. If they missed the service it is okay to start late and fast a portion of it.

• Sunday night, November 12 to Sunday night, December 3, 2006.

Review with your group how to participate in the “Daniel” fast.

• For 21 days eat no sweets (includes “pleasant” or party/junk foods) and meats.(If you have health problems consult your doctor. If you are a vegetarian choose something you can cut from your diet that would be a sacrifice for you.)
• Cut out activities that distract you from prayer, such as TV, newspaper, sports, gaming, Internet etc.
• Each day pray specifically for the mentioned items.

Review with your group why are we fasting.

1. For the Christmas services in December.
   1. Pray that many more would come to know the love of God and accept Jesus Christ into their lives.
   2. Pray for wisdom as we plan these key services.
   3. Pray for the help needed on our volunteer teams.
   4. Pray that every member would reach out to invite his or her friends and family.
   5. Pray for the baptism candidates on December 9.
   6. Pray for Business By The Book on Dec. 6.
2. For our church to establish a campus at the Woodwards development.
   1. Pray for God to open the doors at this key intersection of the powerless and the powerful.
3. For continued home group growth.
   1. Pray for new Coastal attendees to find a home group where they can fit in.
   2. Pray for the leaders and hosts of the new groups.
   3. Pray for wisdom in the leadership of these valuable groups.
4. For a personal item you need a breakthrough in your life.