Part 12 (1/2)

2. In what situations do you hear offensive labeling? Have you found yourself inadvertently following suit? How can you be a leader of change in this environment?

3. Recall a time when you were in a situation similar to that of Peter in Acts 10. When have the customs or behaviors of another culture or race felt uncomfortable or even offensive to you? What would be your reaction if G.o.d called you to take up the habits and practices of others so you could reach out to them?

4. Why did Cornelius not look the part even though he was a Christ follower? What surface judgments do people use today to measure spirituality?

5. How could you make time for some marginalized Christians in your life?

Ideas for Action * Make a new rule for the next two months: No one sits alone. When you enter any room, resist the urge to sit where you always sit and with the people you always join. First, scan the lunchroom or the boardroom, the stands or the sanctuary, the cafeteria or the theater, and find someone who is sitting alone. Then choose to sit with the marginalized. After two months you might consider making the rule permanent.

* Attend a wors.h.i.+p service in a church with a predominantly different ethnicity or culture than your own. Adapt to that environment-do what they are doing as much as possible. Take note of what you admire about their wors.h.i.+p and church life. Consider how it feels to be the odd man out. See what happens when, like Peter, you experience G.o.d within a different cultural setting.

CHAPTER 15: PRAY FIRST; PRAY MOST.

Questions for Discussion 1. How would you describe the way Moses prayed to G.o.d in Exodus 32? In your own words, recount how Max describes the way his Brazilian church leader prayed. In what ways are your prayer times different from these descriptions? What could you do to become more fervent (pa.s.sionate) in prayer?

2. What typical tactics does Satan use to keep you from prayer? How can you counter these with your own prayer strategies?

3. What is the role of prayer in the life of your church? How could you adjust your approach to prayer in your church to make it more meaningful?

4. Tell about a time when your prayer life seemed richer than it is now. What was different then?

5. What could you do to reenergize your prayer times? What postures could you take? What lists could you use? What prayer activities could you try? What scriptures could you use as prayers? Who could join you for prayer as an inspiration?

Ideas for Action.

* Do a study this week on Jesus and prayer. Use the following verses from this chapter and other examples of Jesus praying or teaching about prayer to guide you: Matthew 5:44; 6:613; 14:13, 23; 19:13; 21:1213; 21:22; 24:20 Mark 1:35; 6:46; 9:2829.

Luke 6:1216; 9:1820; 18:18; 18:914; 22:3946; 23:3334 John 11:41; 17:1, 9, 20.

* You may already pray before every meal and at the start of every day, but this week pray before you do these other things as well: before you start your car.

before you exercise before you do the first thing you always do at work before you turn on your computer.