In continuing our study on the Lord’s Prayer this week we discussed Matthew 6:11. This week is a short, simple discussion because this was our first social night together. Since the purpose of a small group is to build relationships with each another as well as our relationship with God, we are taking 3 weeks over the course of the trimester to spend time together. This week we broke into groups of 3-4 and discussed the following passage over coffee & dessert.
Matthew 6:11- “Give us each day our daily bread”
Our Provider
When we read this verse we should recognize God as our provider and that ALL we have comes from him.
Is it difficult for you to recognize God as your provider? Do you feel like you are the one that has to make things happen in life?
Read Deuteronomy 8:11-18 focusing on vs. 17-18
The Present
Do you get caught up thinking about what should have been or what could be?
People w/ powerful prayer lives live completely in the present.
Read Matthew 6:25-33 focusing on vs. 32-33
Are you a worrier? Do you find yourself constantly worrying about what you don’t have or what you might need?
Jesus clearly tells us not to worry about- he will provide everything we need! This is a way we can be an example to those around us who are not followers of Christ. Worrying is a normal part of life- except for those of us who look to God to be our provider and sustainer of life.
Are you living your life in absolute dependence on Him?
The month of October was a travel month for Filipe and I. We went to Charleston, SC for a wedding a couple weeks ago, and we went to New York City for a church coaching network that Filipe has been involved in over the last 6 months.
Not only did we take 2 trips together, we went without our girls. Though we missed them terribly, it was so good for Filipe and I to have that time together- especially with another baby coming in about 12 weeks!!!
We were married for 3 years before our first daughter was born, so we had some “just the 2 of us” time. Having a family has been a huge blessing and one of the greatest joys in life, but it definitely changes your marriage relationship. You have the responsibility to train your children (which takes energy & time!) , deep conversations become interrupted by everything imaginable, and you have less time to just be together. Not a bad thing, just different.
We both stongly believe that the best thing we can give to our children is a healthy marriage. We have had to be proactive about how we spend our time to do this. We have a date night on a weekly basis, and unless our schedule has a big conflict, we are pretty good about sticking to it. Our children learn about life primarily from us- especially how they relate with people. If we don’t have a loving relationship with each other- how are they going to treat others? Having time away together (without them!) shows them how important we are to each other. There may be inconveniences and it’s not always easy with schedules, but I think it is worth it- for them and for us.
