10.26.25 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- What has God been teaching you as you’ve been worshipping, praying, and/or fasting?
Read and Discuss
Matthew 6:16-18
16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they disfigure their faces so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
- Why doesn’t Jesus want our fasting to be obvious to people?
- What is the purpose of fasting?
- How can fasting or other spiritual practices become about our pride instead of about Jesus?
- If you’ve tried fasting, what are some ways you might be tempted to make fasting about you?
Acts 13:2-3
2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.
- Here the people of the church were fasting together. Does that contradict Jesus teaching in Matthew 6?
- What are some benefits of fasting with others?
- What are some other spiritual practices that might be easier to do with other Jesus followers?
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
- How do we obtain God’s peace?
- What are some ways that prayer and fasting go together?
- What does it mean that God’s peace will guard your heart and minds?
- When are some times you don’t feel at peace in your heart?…in your mind?
- How can prayer and fasting help with that?
- How does prayer combat worry?
- How does thanksgiving towards what God has done help with peace?
Discipleship Questions
- How can you practice fasting this week?
- Think of some practical things: What’s a meal you can fast from this week?
- What’s a food item you could fast from that you would really miss for a day (coffee, diet Coke, soda, fast food, fries, candy, etc)?
- How can you use fasting as a way to strengthen your prayer life this week?
Memorize it!
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Prayer TACOS
Thanksgiving: How has the Lord provided for you and those around you this week? Spend some time thanking Him for his provisions.
Amazement: What is something you saw this week that amazed you about God? This could be something in nature, a relationship, seeing life change happen, or anything else you can think of. Spend some time worshipping the Lord for those things.
Confession: What are some ways you tried to find peace this week apart from the Lord? Confess those things and think about why they didn’t work. Ask the Lord to remind you this week to find peace in Him.
Others: Who is someone that has walked through some hard times with you? Pray for them and ask the Lord to bless them this week.
Self: Are you struggling with this prayer and fasting thing? Talk to the Lord about it. Have you been fasting but it doesn’t seem to do anything? Talk to Jesus about it. Have you been fasting and it’s been amazing and you really feel the Lord speaking to you as you grow in your faith? Thank the Lord for that.