From November 2010 through April 2011, the women of WPW power walked together through this amazing study on prayer. We learned what it means to not just have a prayer life, but to live a praying life. Jennifer Kennedy Dean helps to explain the purpose, process, practice, and promise of prayer, through the study of God's Word.
The study guide can be purchased at many Christian bookstores or you can buy it online HERE. You can go through the study individually or in a group. If you'd like to follow along with Michele's talks from our time together every week, you can start at the beginning in November 2010 with Week 1. Additional materials from each week will be added soon.
Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision Week Seven: Hearing From God January 26th, 2011
I. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
A. Was in God’s plan from the beginning. 1. Jeremiah 31: 33-34 2. Hosea 2: 19-20
B. Was confirmed by Jesus during His ministry. 1. Luke 17: 20-21 2. John 16: 7-15 3. Acts 2: 38
C. Has a purpose. 1. I John 2: 20 2. I John 3: 24 3. Romans 8:26-27
II. Consequences of not acknowledging the gift of the Holy Spirit
A. I Thessalonians 5:19-22
B. Ignorance
C. Apathy
D. Stubbornness
E. Spiritual Deafness
III. A New Journey
A. Isaiah 30:21
B. Hebrews 8:8-12
IV. Discussion Groups
V. PowerWALK Challenge: A. WALK through Week Seven of our prayer study. B. Pray that God open the eyes of your heart to understand His purposes for prayer in your life.
Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday
Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision
Week Four: The Author of Prayer
January 5, 2011 I. Recap of previous three weeksA. Week One: God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Free Will
B. Week Two: The Definition of Prayer
C. Week Three: The Necessity of Prayer
II. Sharing the Mind of God
III. Glorifying God with Our Prayers
IV. Discussion Groups
V. PowerWALK Challenge:A. WALK through Week Four of our prayer study.
B. Pray that God open the eyes of your heart to understand His purposes for prayer in your life.
Class Notes Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision
Week Three: The Necessity of Prayer
December 29th, 2010 I. Psalm 106:23; Ezekiel 22:30 II. God has chosen to accomplish His will on Earth by working through His people. III. Knowing God through prayer.
IV. PowerWALK Challenge: A. WALK through Week Three of our study guide.
B. Pray that God open the eyes of your heart to understand His purposes for prayer in your life.
Lyrics to Christmas Anthem by Michael W. SmithIn the space of the beginning was the living Word of Light.
When this Word was clearly spoken, all that came to be was right.
All creation had a language. Words to say what must be said.
All day long the heavens whispered, signing words in scarlet red.
Some have failed to understand it, so God spoke His final Word.
On a silent night in Judah's Hills a baby's cry was heard.
“Glory!” sang the angel chorus, “Glory!” echoed back the night.
“Love has come to walk among us. Christ the Lord is born this night!”
All creation sing His praises!
Earth and heaven praise His name!
All who live come join the chorus.
Find the words His love proclaim!
Find the words His love proclaim!
Women’s PowerWALK Wednesday
Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision
Week Two: The Definition of Prayer
December 15th, 2010
I. Matthew 6:8; 25-34 II. Prayer Is A Relationship, Not An Activity
When prayer is viewed as an activity….
1. We do not see His purposes or appreciate His provision, His love, His power, or how He is working in our lives or in a certain situation.
2. We do not trust Him fully.
3. We inhibit His Spirit from fully working in us and through us.
4. Our lives are void of the adventure that comes from uniting with Him in His work.
III. Foundational Points1. God is the Creator of prayer.
2. God has put His Spirit within us.
3. God is trust-worthy and faithful.
IV. PowerWALK Challenge: A. WALK through Week Two of our study guide.
B. Pray that God open the eyes of your heart to understand His purposes for prayer in your life.
Live a Praying Life: Open Your Life to God’s Power and Provision
Week One: God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Free Will
December 8th, 2010
I. Jeremiah 29:11-14a, Ephesians 2:4-5 ,
II. Foundation Built on Truth
III. God’s Detailed Plans .
IV. Discussion Groups Questions:
A. What does it mean that God is sovereign? How does this affect your approach to prayer?
B. Since God is all-knowing, then what is the purpose in praying? ,
C. What are some ways in which our powerful God accomplish His will through prayer? .
D. Discuss Jeremiah 29:11-14a and Ephesians 2:4-5. What do these two verses tell us of God’s Sovereignty and of His plans for us? .
V. PowerWALK Challenge:
A. Pray that God opens your heart and mind to understanding the purpose of prayer.
B. Pray for God to guide us as we begin this power study in prayer.
C. Memorize Psalm 25:4-5
D. WALK through Week One of our study guide this week.
***
Examples of God’s Detailed Plans in Scripture .
1. Esther
A. The edict agreeing to the annihilation of the Jews was written on the 13th day of Nisan.
B. The Jewish Passover was always held on the 14th day of Nisan.
C. The edict was written on the 13th day, and began to be distributed on the 14th.
D. The edict hit the provinces of Persia on exactly the day observing Jewish households were preparing their tables for Passover. That very evening at dusk, in accordance with God’s command, the fathers were to recount to their families the story of Israel’s deliverance from the mighty Egyptians. From an eternal perspective, God was reminding His people that He was in control. “Remember how I delivered you from Pharaoh? I’ll do the same thing now.” It was by no coincidence that the edict was revealed on the 14th. It was part of the divine plan.
2. Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father.
A. Luke 1:8-10
B. 400 years of silence since God had spoken to His people when Gabriel spoke to Zechariah.
C. Zechariah was a priest. Each of the 24 divisions of priests served in the temple for one week twice a year and at major festivals. An individual priest could offer the incense at the daily sacrifice only once in his lifetime. Zechariah’s only turn had come.
D. It was no coincidence that the lot fell to Zechariah at that time. God had chosen him and Elizabeth to have a son, John the Baptist. The timing was upon them, and for the first time in 400 years, God sent a message to relay His word.
.
3. Tabernacle
A. Numbers chapters 1 & 2
B. Heavenly view of tabernacle with tribes surrounding it outlines a cross. Now that’s detail!
