Prayer & Fasting (Part 5): Revealing

TO START

In the final part of our Prayer and Fasting series, we talked about how fasting is the process of revealing to us how we can be full in a different way. This message explores a solution to the reality that oftentimes our stomachs are full but our souls are feeling empty. 

  • Are you a glass half-full person or glass half-empty person?

Read Luke 4:1-4

  • What are the times in your life where you’ve felt the most spiritually full? 

  • What do you do when your stomach is full and your soul still feels empty?

Zane mentioned that the first thing revealed in the midst of fasting is that it gets to what’s working underneath within us by disrupting our tendency to talk and act as if everything is “fine” even when that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Fasting helps to quiet our lives in order to listen to the Holy Spirit calling within us. 

  • Over the course of the last few weeks, what regular distractions and dependencies have you been able to recognize in yourself that might need to be stripped away? (the following questions may be helpful)

    • What things draw you away from Jesus?

    • What things distract you from Jesus or cause you to grow numb?

    • What things do you run to when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired?

    • What things become excuses for not participating in community or serving others?

Even though fasting can help us get to the heart of the things in our life that may be difficult to name and definitely easy to avoid, Jesus shows us that when we choose to fast before God that we aren’t in a time of weakening but rather we are entering a time of strengthening. 

  • Has fasting opened you up to hearing from God or seeking God’s will in a way that isn’t always clear among the noise of life (or cheetos)? Are you feeling more empty or more full right now? What do you think the main cause of your fullness or emptiness is right now?

Close 

To close group this week, we want to encourage y’all to spend time praying for one another in connection to this question, “Are you full or are you empty today?”... As the group leader or discussion leader, we encourage you to discern one of two ways to do this… Either invite those who are willing to share their answer to this question with a short phrase as to why and then close with the following prayer OR give your group some time to think individually in silence about their answers and then close with the following prayer! 

Lord, we pray that you would fill us in all the ways that we hunger, ache & thirst for you this week. 

Jesus, help us to discover all the ways You have defeated what feels defeating to us. 

Surround us with your peace, your provision, your joy, your guidance, your help, your strength & your wisdom. 

Amen. 

Matt DeLano