Message Notes
Look Back
at a moment in which we prayed desperately for something important, and God didn’t seem to answer. It is possible to miss out on God’s provision and blessing because we quit praying before the answer to our prayer becomes a reality. Remaining in Christ requires more than patience as we ask God to help us better understand and use what we have been given.
Look Up
Read John 15:4-8
- John repeats several words and phrases in this short passage - what point do you think he was trying to make by doing this?
- Read different Bible translations of this passage. What other words are used instead of “remain”? How does this help you better understand what Jesus means when He says to “remain in me”?
- Why do you think Jesus says that we can ask and will receive “whatever” if we remain in him? How easy is this for you to accept and apply?
- Does the illustration of the vine and the fruit help you better understand God and what we should do while we wait for an answer to prayer? What parts are difficult for you to understand or apply?
Read John 15:4-12
- What other words are repeated in verses 9-12? Why do you think Jesus puts emphasis on these specific words?
- What connection do loving God, obeying God and loving others have with remaining in Christ?
- What do these verses say about God’s desire to be involved in our lives? How do these verses apply to how we should pray?
- What do you typically do when you are waiting for God to answer your prayer? What might you do differently if you were to start using this passage as a guide?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
In what ways are you being faithful with what God has already given you as seeds towards fulfilling your impossible “whatever” prayers?
Notes
One of the biggest problems people have with prayer is the issue of timing. Most of us can
