Stretch Week 3
GOAL:
To identify ways that we can strengthen ourselves in the Lord and believe that He will do what He promised.
CONVERSATION STARTER:
What is the most unexpected thing that has ever happened to you?
If you had to give up one of the following forever, which would it be: Pizza, Tacos, or Burgers?
REVIEW:
Ask Champion Group members to share some of their favorite points, examples, or questions from Sunday’s sermon. Use your own notes to help you recall your own favorite points and encourage your Champion Group members to take notes and reference them as well.
DISCUSSION
Raising the Staff
Read: Exodus 17:8-16
What did the staff in Moses’s raised hands represent?
What else had Moses used the staff to do? (See Exodus 14:15-18, 17:5-7) What would you describe as the staff in your life? What is a reminder of the power you have through Christ?
What did Aaron represent when he held up Moses’s arm?
Why does prayer provide us strength? What are the benefits of prayer?
What did Herr, from the tribe of Judah, represent when he held up Moses’s arm? (Psalm 22:3, Psalm 16:11, Nehemiah 8:10)
Why does strength come from praise? Describe a time when praising God either helped carry you through a difficult time or encouraged your faith and gave you more strength.
Will He Do It?
Read: Ephesians 6:3, Luke 5:12-16
Read Luke 5:12-16. What do you think the man with leprosy knew about Jesus based on verse 12?
What did the man with leprosy not know about Jesus? Why is it important that we fight off an “if you are willing” mindset?
What does this passage tell us about the will of God for each and every person? (See Acts 10:34)
Why do you think it is easier to believe for other people than to believe for yourself?
Why do you think it was important that Aaron and Hur were the ones to hold up Moses’s arms? Why do you think it wasn’t an unnamed soldier or Israelite?
What kind of person would you agree to be vulnerable with and trust to help you press through in a difficult situation? What qualities would/do they have?
What does Ephesians 6:13 mean to you?
What testimonies or scriptures do you find help you to continue standing in faith?
ACT ON IT
What does it look like for you to continue standing on the promises of God for your life? When Moses felt weak, he receive support from those close to him, from praise, and from prayer. Choose a scripture that reflects the promise that you are believing God will fulfill and use that scripture in prayer, in praise, and in discussions with other believers. Ask someone close to you, such as a spouse or parent, to believe with you.
BEFORE YOU CLOSE:
Read: Matthew 22:36-40, John 14:15
Obedience to God can only truly come out of a heart that loves him and desires to honor him. According to the promises of Deuteronomy 28, obedience leads to not only blessings, but blessings without sorrow. If we want to live a life that displays the goodness of God, we have to make sure that we obey him. One way that we show our obedience to God is through giving our tithes to him.
As we enter this time of prayer and fasting, take some time to ask the Lord what you should give. Put your faith behind your money and believe that God will come through for you in ways greater than you could ask, think, or imagine in your life. You can do so by donating on the Champion Center App or through PushPay.
PRAYER, PRAYER REQUESTS, AND TESTIMONIES
Ask Champion Group members to share any prayer requests or testimonies they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week. Take time to pray and ask if anyone would like to receive salvation, baptism of the Holy Spirit, or prayer for a physical need.
Stretch Week 2
GOAL:
To understand the role we play in seeing breakthrough after we have heard a word from God.
CONVERSATION STARTER:
Would you rather never lose your phone again or never lose your keys again?
What are you and your family strongly committed to? (sports, family time, church, etc.)
REVIEW:
Ask Champion Group members to share some of their favorite points, examples, or questions from Sunday’s sermon. Use your own notes to help you recall your own favorite points and encourage your Champion Group members to take notes and reference them as well.
DISCUSSION
Hear the Word
References: Joshua 12:10-14, Judges 1:9-10, 19-21, 1 Kings 18:1, 41-46
Read 1 Kings 18:1, 41-48. What word did Elijah get from God? What did Elijah do that showed that he heard and believed the word?
How do you think the servant’s faith and the faith of Elijah differed? What do you think Elijah saw when the servant only saw the small cloud?
What do you think would have happened if Elijah had continued praying after his servant reported that he saw a cloud?
Read Joshua 12:10-14, and Judges 1:9-10, 19-21. On what word did Caleb build his faith? How did Caleb show that he believed the word of God? What can we learn from the fact that the Benjaminites were unable to rid their promised land of the Jebusites?
How would Caleb’s story and Israel’s story be different if he backed off the word God gave to him?
How can you tell the difference between something you need to pray for more, and something you need to act on more? Is there a difference? How have you aligned your faith with your actions like Elijah and Caleb?
Stay Consistent
Read: Numbers 23:19, Deutronomy 15:10, Proverbs 18:9
Elijah had to go up the mountain and put in the work to see God fulfill His promise. What might God have you do to see the word He gave you fulfilled?
How long did Caleb wait to see the promise of God fulfilled? How should you respond when something God promised seems to be taking longer than you thought it would?
What are some ways that you can stretch your commitment and show God that you are as committed to Him as He is to you?
What are some ways that you can stretch your commitment and push forward in your faith? What holds you back, if anything, from making these a part of your daily life?
How we we model our walk with God like Elijah and Caleb? Is there anything you would do differently, or in addition to, these two men of God?
What does it mean for you to increase your commitment to the Lord? What are you believing God will do by the end of this fast? What do you think the Lord is asking you to do as an action step to that faith?
ACT ON IT
During this time of fasting and prayer, think about one more way that you can move and act on your faith. You could decide to give up TV for a season, or to start a pattern of setting aside extra time on Saturday mornings to pray or practice a gift or skill God has given you. Ask God to show you what you need to do and commit to do it for at least the next two weeks as we set aside time to pursue God!
BEFORE YOU CLOSE:
Read: Malachi 3:10
God wants us to test his promises, specifically that he will bless us if we are faithful to give to Him what belongs to Him, the tithe. It may feel weird to “test” God, but He tells us to test Him because he knows that His promises are true. God cannot lie, and when we give Him what belongs to Him, we can be sure that we will never be in lack.
As we enter this time of prayer and fasting, take some time to ask the Lord what you should give. Put your faith behind your money and believe that God will come through for you in ways greater than you could ask, think, or imagine in your life. You can do so by donating on the Champion Center App or through PushPay.
PRAYER, PRAYER REQUESTS, AND TESTIMONIES
Ask Champion Group members to share any prayer requests or testimonies they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week. Take time to pray and ask if anyone would like to receive salvation, baptism of the Holy Spirit, or prayer for a physical need.
Stretch Week 1
GOAL:
To understand the impact fasting has on our ability to increase our capacity.
CONVERSATION STARTER:
Would you rather live in a place that has all four seasons, or live somewhere that has approximately the same weather all week long?
What food makes you wish your stomach had an unlimited capacity?
REVIEW:
Ask Champion Group members to share some of their favorite points, examples, or questions from Sunday’s sermon. Use your own notes to help you recall your own favorite points and encourage your Champion Group members to take notes and reference them as well.
DISCUSSION
Fasting Builds your Spirit
References: Matthew 4:1-11, Ephesians 12:6, Hebrews 4:12, John 4:23-24
Read Matthew 4:1-11. What does Jesus’s extended fast show you about the spiritual effects of fasting?
What was the physical evidence that Jesus had a strong spirit because of continual fasting and prayer? (see Jesus’s response in Mark 9:14-29)
Why didn’t the disciples have to fast? Why do we fast?
How does fasting help separate our flesh from our spirit man?
How can you tell if your flesh is stronger than your spirit man or your spirit man is stronger than your flesh?
Does fasting change the way God sees you, the way you see God, or a combination? Why is fasting an effective way to gain control over your flesh?
What can you expect to feel and experience spiritually as you fast? Based on the life of Jesus, Esther, Nehemiah, and others who fasted in the Bible, what evidence in a person’s life manifests when they fast and pray?
Fasting Increases Your Capacity
Read: Isaiah 54:2, Mark 2:18-22
Why is increasing your capacity important for living a victorious Christian life? Can you increase your capacity without fasting? What advantage do you have when you do fast?
What do the old wineskins in Mark 2:18-22 represent? What do the new wineskins represent? How does fasting make us like a new wineskin?
What are some signs that you might be acting like an old wineskin instead of a new one?
Read Nehemiah 1, 2. What caused Nehemiah to decide to fast and pray? What were the results of his fast? How was his capacity increased by fasting and prayer?
What motivates you to fast? What results do you expect to see from this time of fasting and prayer?
ACT ON IT
Set goals with your kids for daily prayer and Bible reading. Help them establish a pattern and hold them accountable. If you struggle with establishing a daily pattern, determine what time each day you will read your Bible and pray so that you can be a consistent example to your children--current or future!
BEFORE YOU CLOSE:
Read: Galatians 3:9, 13
Abraham is an amazing example of faith, and because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, every promise God gave Abraham is ours if we have the faith to receive it. However, in order to be blessed like Abraham, we have to practice obedience the way he did with our lives and our finances.
As we enter this time of prayer and fasting, take some time to ask the Lord what you should give. Put your faith behind your money and believe that God will come through for you in ways greater than you could ask, think, or imagine in your life. You can do so by donating on the Champion Center App or through PushPay.
PRAYER, PRAYER REQUESTS, AND TESTIMONIES
Ask Champion Group members to share any prayer requests or testimonies they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week. Take time to pray and ask if anyone would like to receive salvation, baptism of the Holy Spirit, or prayer for a physical need.