Small Group Study Guide

1. Introduce the Session

5 minutes

Key verse
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” – Matthew 6:9

• In this session we’ll explore how we can enjoy God’s presence in praise and worship.
• Begin the session by opening in prayer.

2. Watch the Video

20 minutes

Bible passages
Acts 4:24-31

Summary points

• Start by recognising God is God.
• Worship puts things back into perspective.
• Use P.R.A.Y – Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield.

3. Discussion Questions

20 minutes

Q. What did you find most helpful or most challenging in the video?
Q. Why do you think that we most often associate prayer with asking, rather than worship and adoration?

“In commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting us to enjoy him” – C.S.Lewis

Q. Do you enjoy spending time with God? When are the times that prayer feels most enjoyable?
Q. Pete says that prayer is primarily about relationship with God: “It’s relational, not transactional”. How does this change your perspective of coming to God in prayer?
Q. In the Acts passage, the early church put their own crisis into perspective by worshipping. What are the practical things you could do this week to foster an attitude of worship in your daily routine?

4. Do it

15 minutes

Practise thanksgiving and praise by reflecting on Psalm 8.

As a group, read Psalm 8 out loud together. You might like to delegate different verses to different people, or encourage just one person to read it out. Then, take time to
Pause and Rejoice:

Pause: Take a moment in silence and invite the Holy Spirit to help you reflect on what you’ve just read.

Rejoice: Encourage group members to speak out prayers of adoration. Invite everyone to reflect and to thank God for one or two things in their lives. They might like to use the Psalm as inspiration, too.

Leader’s note 
If you have time and it feels appropriate for your group, you might like to continue the PRAY steps by asking and yielding.