Talk turns reading the following Introduction below:
Tonight, we are going to create space to share how we are doing and to help each other Listen to Jesus for Freedom for any areas of struggle in our life. Accountability and encouragement from other believers is key to keep moving forward in our spiritual formation and to keep our connection to Jesus from being blocked!
We are going to get into same-gender groups of 3-4 people. Take time to share how you are doing in your relationship with God and others and share any places of sin or struggle. As different areas of need arise, use the Freedom Prayer Tools listed below. End your group by praying for each other and make a plan to encourage one another in between House Churches.
HC Pastor: Have someone from the Freedom Prayer team share a testimony or encouragement regarding the Freedom Tools, if desired. Help people get into groups.
Break into groups of 3-4 and work through the following:
1. How are you doing? How are you doing relating to God and others? What has been the same or different since last time we did this? This is an important time to share needs and confess sin.
2. Is there any wound, sin or ungodly belief that may be interfering with your connection to God and others? Take time to work through the related Freedom Prayer tool (below).
3. Pray for each other. Decide how to best encourage and help one another in between House Churches.
Freedom Prayer Tools
How to Use:
1. Fruit: Recognize the bad fruit (anger, fear, shame, etc.).
2. Root: Ask God to reveal the place of wounding, sin or an ungodly belief that is the source or ‘root‘ of the bad fruit. “Lord, when was the first time I felt ?” “Is there a lie I am believing that is hurting me?”
3. Boot: Get rid of the bad fruit by forgiving, confessing or proclaiming the truth. (See specific category below.)
4. Loot: Ask God what blessing He wants to give you for life and healing.
5. Scoot: What life choices and changes do I need to take to walk in and guard my freedom?
WOUNDS: (FORGIVE AND BLESS)
Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
1. Count the debt: “Jesus, <name> owed me <list the offenses/sin against you>.”
2. Cancel the debt: “In the name of Jesus, I choose to forgive <name> and cancel their debt to me.”
3. Repent of judging: “Jesus, I repent of judging <name> and instead I give all judgment to You.”
4. Bless: “Lord, I bless in your name. Will you show them how much you love them?”
5. Ask for needs to be met: “Jesus, the needs I wanted <name> to meet, I now want to be met in You. Will you meet those needs?”
SIN: (CONFESS AND REPENT)
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1. Reveal the sin: “God, is there any place in my life that is not yielded to your authority?”
2. Get God’s perspective: “Jesus, will You show me how this sin has impacted my life?”
3. Confess & Repent: “God, I confess I have chosen , but I repent of that choice today and choose to follow You.”
4. Receive blessing: “I ask you, God, to fill the empty, clean places with Your forgiveness, blessing and Spirit.”
UNGODLY BELIEFS: (RENOUNCE & BELIEVE)
John 8:31-32: To those who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
1. Reveal the lie: “Lord, what am I believing that causes <bad fruit> ?”
2. Hear truth: “Lord, if I have been believing a lie…what is the truth?”
3. Renounce the lie: “In the name of Jesus, I renounce_____________ .”
4. Declare the truth: “I receive and declare the truth that______________ .”