Week Seven: Prayer and Confession

 The words that we say can bring death or life. It is a choice that we must make each day. Will we say words that are uplifting, confessions that are recorded as great words of faith, and prayers that request God's presence in our life? Jesus taught us to pray without ceasing, to confess unto salvation, and to believe unto righteousness. What we say and what we believe will make an eternal difference in our lives. This week we will study the importance of prayer and confession. Jesus so often went apart from the crowds to pray and this was evident that he had been alone with God by his confession of who he was and what he came to do. Let's pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace today. Thank you for bringing us here that we may learn more of you, that we may become more like you, and that we may be better equipped to help others in this pursuit of truth. Jesus we humble ourselves before you today as little children at your feet and in your presence we ask that you lead and guide us into all truth today. In Jesus name we pray,  Amen

Let's start by looking at what confession does for us.

Read 1John1: 5-10 What questions did you have after reading this?

What is the message as described here? __________________________________

What are the two things that Jesus does when we confess our sins?___________

In your own words describe the importance of cofession and think of some ways this has changed your life.

Read Romans 10:9,10 What questions did you have after reading this?

How can a person be saved? ___________________________________________

Why confess with the mouth?__________________________________________

What is the importance of others hearing our confession and testimony about what we believe?

Read Luke 12:8-12 What questions did you have after reading this?

Does it say confess him in your heart? __________________________________

Who will Jesus confess you to? ________________________________________

There are millions of recorded prayers in history, God tells us to pray without ceasing, in this part we will take a look at prayer and the importance of effective prayer, our condition of our heart when we pray and what works and what does not according to scripture. Does God teach us how to pray?

Read Mathew 6:5-15 What questions did you have after reading this?

Who should we pray to? ______________________________________________

Are we asking for his kingdom to come? ________________________________

Who is our daily bread? ______________________________________________

Do we have to forgive others to receive forgiveness? _______________________

List 8 things this prayer covers. _________________________________________

Read James 5:16 What questions do you have after reading this?

 __________________________________________________________________

 Fasting

Read Mathew 6:16-18 What questions did you have after reading this?

What is the purpose of fasting? ________________________________________

Read Luke 14:25-33 What questions did you have after reading this?

What does fasting and being a disciple have in common?__________________

There are many places in the Bible that it mentions fasting, here are some to read about:

Ester 4:16 Esther calls for a "three day fast"

Daniel 10:2-3 Daniel mourned and fasted for "three full weeks"

Judges 20:23-26 Israel fasted and prayed for one day until evening to win the battle.

Memory verses:

1John 1:9 “If we confess our sins…”

1John 1:10 “If we say that we have no sin…”

Mathew 6:9-13 “Our Father who art in heaven…”

Finish these verses and quote these verses, repeating them until they are easily repeated.

Memory verse test #7:

Romans 8:1 “What shall we say to these things? If God…”

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ…?”

Romans 8:37 “Nay, in these things we are…”

Romans 8:38 “For I am persuaded, that neither death nor…”

Next Week:

Week Eight: Forgiveness:    Week 8

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