A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening SMALL GROUP LEADER S GUIDE BYRON PAULUS & BILL ELLIFF

Transcription

1 A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening SMALL GROUP LEADER S GUIDE BYRON PAULUS & BILL ELLIFF

2 2014 by Life Action Ministries All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( Printed in the United States of America

3 SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE Uniting Believers for Spiritual Awakening SMALL GROUP LEADER S GUIDE BYRON PAULUS AND BILL ELLIFF

4 INSTRUCTIONS FOR GROUP LEADERS Dear Group Leader, We are in a desperate time. Throughout our country believers are recognizing the deep need for a nationwide movement of revival and spiritual awakening. It is our only hope. OneCry is designed to help fan the flame of revival. The OneCry Experience is a concentrated tool designed to mobilize tens of thousands of people through their local churches or ministries. Your role in this eight-week emphasis is critical, but the process will be relatively simple. So how do I prepare for and lead my group to maximize the OneCry Experience for God s glory? 1. PRAY! Only God can bring the repentance and faith that lead to revival. Your church is praying together that God will send revival across the nation... but that begins with YOU! Set aside time daily to pray for these coming weeks. Also, spend a concentrated time before each week s meeting asking God to manifest His presence in your group. 2 // ONECRY

5 2. READ THE ONECRY BOOK CHAPTER, AT LEAST WEEKLY, IN ADVANCE OF YOUR GROUP. Your materials include a OneCry book. You may want to read it through in one sitting. Or perhaps you ll want to read portions weekly. Whatever you do, be sure to stay a week or two ahead of your group. Mark in your book! Highlight quotes that might be helpful, and feel free to use portions of the book in your group discussions. 3. USE THE ONECRY EXPERIENCE DVD OR ONLINE VIDEOS. Begin your group with a few minutes of fellowship, introductions, or an ice-breaker. Then open in prayer, asking God to meet with you during your study and discussion. Watch together the video teaching by Byron Paulus and Bill Elliff. You can do this in one of two ways: A. Through use of the OneCry DVD B. Online by visiting and entering the access code OCE LEAD THE DISCUSSION WITH THE QUESTIONS PROVIDED. These questions are provided at the end of each chapter in the OneCry book. They can also be downloaded from the website and are included at the end of each DVD session. LEADER S GUIDE // 3

6 Be sure to seize the God moments. If God seems to be settling down on a particular truth during the discussion, don t feel you must hurry to get to all the questions. Your goal is to help your group encounter our great, reviving God! If God is working, take time to engage further in the discussion until He moves you forward. 5. PROVIDE AT LEAST MINUTES AT THE END OF EACH SESSION FOR GUIDED PRAYER. One of the important distinctions of the OneCry Experience is that you will lead your group to actually do exactly what you re discussing. Prayer in groups needs to be led. Many people do not know how to pray. As you begin, ask the people to let God s Spirit lead them to pray for the things on His heart. Tell your group that you will be suggesting things to pray for during the prayer time. Walk through the prayer guide included, giving them time to pray through each point. When it seems that a subject has been exhausted, simply say, As we continue, let s pray for, and move through the remainder of the prayer points one by one, as provided in the Crying Out section. On several of the weeks, your group is invited to pray through a passage of Scripture. Some people have never experienced that form of prayer. Simply invite everyone to turn to the passage, read through it together, and then pray the thoughts of that passage to the Lord, 4 // ONECRY

7 personalizing it for our needs today. Give them enough instruction so they will feel comfortable praying this way. It is very important for you to pray about your prayer times. Before the group meetings, ask God to lead these times and to meet with you in power. God said that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16). Believe that God will use these prayer times to teach your group to pray together, and also to move our nation toward revival and spiritual awakening. God says that your prayers matter and will make a difference! 6. CONTINUE TO SEEK REVIVAL AND AWAKENING IN YOUR GROUP. The OneCry Experience is designed to be a catalyst toward continuing repentance and prayer for revival and awakening in the nation. Don t finish the study and then never mention these issues again. Make this emphasis a continual concern in your group. Seize all available opportunities to remind your group in the coming months of the need to cry out together, as a group and with thousands across the nation! Make sure all of your group members are signed up with so they can receive regular biblical articles, videos, and stories of what God is doing across the nation. Talk often in your group about what you are reading weekly through the OneCry s. Let revival become a regular part of your conversation and prayer. LEADER S GUIDE // 5

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9 SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION AND PRAYER GUIDES LEADER S GUIDE // 7

10 WHY ONECRY? SESSION // 1 1 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY This chapter makes the case that America is in significant spiritual need. Our nation is faced with obvious moral, economic, political, and spiritual deficits, resulting in the breakdown of our families, communities, and even churches. What is the answer? Author Byron Paulus believes we need a divine intervention a spiritual awakening that would bring in much needed transformation. In the Bible, when the nation of Israel faced periods of great darkness, the people were only rescued and revived when they cried out for God s help. Could a similar cry be the answer for America today? Not more strategies or efforts, more money or more organizations, but one united, passionate cry to the God of heaven to heal our broken nation? DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS On pages 28 29, Byron lists some evidences of America s need for spiritual awakening (fatherlessness, confusion, etc.). Read these aloud to the group, then ask for input on how these trends have made a personal 8 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

11 impact on lives in your local community. Are there additional indicators you see in culture that illustrate the desperate urgency for salvation and revival? On page 40, the author asks five questions that motivated him to engage in crying out to God for spiritual awakening in America. Ask the group if they find any of these questions similarly motivating, and if so, why. OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH Share one personal story of a time you found yourself crying out desperately for something. It can be an illustration from your personal life, your family, your business, a physical need, etc. 1. Many people, even unbelievers and atheists, tell stories of crying out to God in moments of great need. What is it that drives us to cry out to God in such times? 2. Does God hear people s urgent cries? Do you have an illustration of a time when God answered your desperate cry? WHY ONECRY? // 9

12 3. Do you agree that we are in a state of national spiritual emergency? Why or why not? 4. One of the goals of our study and prayer is to build our hope and faith that God can send nationwide revival. On a scale of 1 10, how much faith do you have that what is happening in our nation spiritually, morally, culturally can be changed, even mightily reversed? Is it possible? 5. What do you hope to gain from this study? CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Give thanks for the power of God. Think of the ways He has manifested His power to save people, in history and in your own life. Give thanks to Him for His ability to do this whenever He desires. Give thanks to God for the thousands around the country who are thinking and praying about these things. Thank Him for those who are going through the OneCry Experience, and ask Him to move in their lives and churches. 10 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

13 INTERCESSION Pray for God to develop your faith in His ability to send revival to the church and awakening to those who are unbelieving. Ask God to use these next eight weeks as a powerful tool in your life personally and in others who are studying these truths across the nation. Pray, at whatever level of faith you have, that God would send revival in our day! WHY ONECRY? // 11

14 IT S ABOUT HIM SESSION // 2 2 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY This chapter relates stories of dramatic spiritual movements Great Awakenings from both the distant and more recent past. Times of spiritual awakening highlight the kingdom of God, advancing the rule and reign of Christ in the hearts of many people. In fact, a spiritual awakening is the visible invasion of the King and His kingdom. Spiritual awakenings result in obvious societal transformation, and they have important eternal ramifications as well. Author Bill Elliff suggests that these rapid advances of spiritual life are necessary to the long-term health of cultures and nations, and that America is in desperate need of another such spiritual change. DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS On page 56, author Bill Elliff states, We need a massive course correction that only a sovereign King can bring. Have each group member begin this time of discussion by relating their own testimony, the course correction God brought into their life. 12 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

15 Beginning on the bottom of page 57, the author relates the story of a local spiritual awakening in his church. Ask the group if they have ever been part of a moment like that, and what barriers might exist to this kind of thing becoming more common in American churches. OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH 1. Look again at the Cycle of Spiritual Awakening diagram on page 51. Where do you think the American church is on this cycle? What evidences illustrate this? 2. How would you define authentic revival? (It s vitally important to know what we should be praying for!) 3. What do you think it would look and feel like if God sent a citywide or nationwide revival and season of spiritual awakening? Be as specific as you can. 4. What would change in your city if ten percent of the entire population came to authentic faith in Christ in the next twelve months? IT S ABOUT HIM // 13

16 5. Do think it s possible for God to send such an awakening to your city and to America? Why or why not? 6. What do you think God s main purpose is in revival? Why would He ever bless our nation with such a mighty outpouring? CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Thank God for His kingdom and His ability to bring His kingdom down to earth. Name every part of this kingdom that you understand and that you desire for God to bring to our nation. Thank Him for what He has done in the past. Thank Him for His ability to send revival. INTERCESSION Ask God to increase your faith and the faith of the believers in all the churches in your city. Pray for every church in your city by name. 14 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

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18 IT STARTS HERE SESSION // 3 3 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY This chapter reminds us that national spiritual awakening begins on a personal scale: National awakenings begin with personal reviving. When Jesus addressed the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2, He spoke about the need of that church to return to its first love relationship with Him. Author Bill Elliff explains that the process outlined by Jesus to this particular church that they should remember (from how far they have fallen), repent (turn back toward Him), and return (to authentic Christianity) is a blueprint for what we can do, today. Before we ask God to change our neighborhood, our church, or our city, we must first evaluate our relationship with Him and, if necessary, rekindle our love for Him. DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS Select two of the probing questions on page 72 to discuss publicly with your group. Encourage each member to share from their own life and to be honest about their spiritual condition. An important prerequisite of revival 16 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

19 movements has always been open, honest hearts humbling themselves before God and one another. Beginning on page 75, four signs of love for Christ (and a revived heart) are outlined. Review this section with your group, and consider how a passionate love for Jesus might change our priorities in these areas. OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH 1. Do you think your individual spiritual life affects whether or not we see God s presence and power in your church, city, and nation? Why or why not? 2. What are some of the gods or idols that most of us turn to other than Christ? 3. One a scale of 1 10 (10 being the most fervent love and surrender to Christ), where would you say your spiritual life is right now, and why? 4. What do you think must happen for a believer to return to their first love to fall passionately in love with Jesus again? IT STARTS HERE // 17

20 5. What would a believer who is living in fresh, personal revival look like? How would it affect their family, their church, and their community? 6. What is the next step for you to experience personal revival? 7. What do you think will happen to your life and your church if you and others you know choose not to repent and return? CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Thank God for your salvation and for the cross. If you have never surrendered to Jesus Christ and received His forgiveness, take time in prayer to do that now, repenting of your sin and crying out to Him for forgiveness. Thank God for His forgiveness and love... for His grace and mercy that make salvation and personal revival possible. INTERCESSION Quietly and deliberately walk through the list of questions on page // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

21 Spend time repenting and crying out to God for His cleansing and mercy. Read and pray through Psalm 51. (For help in leading your people to pray through Scripture, see #5 under INSTRUCTIONS FOR GROUP LEADERS, pages 7 8 of this leader s guide.) Work through the Personal Revival Checklist (beginning on page 160 of the OneCry book). IT STARTS HERE // 19

22 THE PAIN WE NEED SESSION // 4 4 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY This chapter suggests that God s judgment on nations is often calculated to bring about their repentance and restoration: God s judgments are His necessary tools to bring us to desperation. Author Bill Elliff applies this logic to our own culture today, pressing the questions, Could God be bringing pain (judgment) into our lives as a way of getting our attention? Could difficult national events be divine signposts pointing us to repentance? DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS On page 88, Bill Elliff shares his personal viewpoint that 9/11 could have been an important wake-up call to American Christians, but that we largely missed the moment. Have group members recount where they were on 9/11, and what some of their initial spiritual reactions were. Page 89 asks a Question from Around the World. After reading that section aloud with your group, ask them to respond to the man s challenge in the account. What 20 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

23 events typically lead people to devastation? What could that look like for America? Do you think that will be necessary for America to take God seriously, or is there a different choice we could make? OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH 1. What do you see in America in the last ten years that might be signs of God s judgment on our nation? 2. The remedial judgment of God is that which is sent to correct us, and there is hope of change. The final judgment of God means there is no possibility of escape. Do you see our nation under God s remedial or final judgment? Why? 3. Read 2 Chronicles 7: Read all of it carefully. Although this passage was written to the nation of Israel, the principle that God responds to humility, repentance, and prayer is repeated in the New Testament read James 4:8-10. What do you think this is saying to us right now as a nation? THE PAIN WE NEED // 21

24 4. If God sends judgment to our nation, who is responsible for that happening (according to the verses above)? 5. Read Habakkuk 3:2. What do you think this verse means, and what application does it have for us today? CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Thank God that He loves us enough to speak loudly when we need to repent. Thank God for His judgments. Acknowledge all the ways you see that they help us and that we need them. INTERCESSION Spend time praying for God s mercy. Pray through Psalm 80, verse by verse, and let the psalmist s prayer verbalize your heart. Think through every sign of judgment you see in our nation, and cry out to God for His mercy; plead with Him for forgiveness for our national sins. 22 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

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26 HE S LISTENING SESSION // 5 5 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY This chapter encourages believers not to give up hope, but to recognize God s stated desire to answer the urgent cries of His people: Your humble cry makes a difference! Author Bill Elliff believes that a great unclaimed treasure for Christians is that we have access to God s promise to answer prayers in mighty, unexpected, and dramatic ways. Could it be that even in a scenario that seems dark, hopeless, and unsustainable (like American culture today), God could be ready and willing to answer our fervent prayers? DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS Read the story of the judge and the persistent widow in Luke 18, and reference Bill Elliff s commentary on page 97. How do you interpret the question Jesus asks about finding faith on the earth? The last paragraph on page 94 relates the story of Hudson Taylor, who saw God answer his bold prayers for 24 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

27 China. Read this paragraph (and the first paragraph on page 95); then have the group discuss what bold prayers could be prayed right now for the advancement of Christ s kingdom in America today. OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH 1. Do you believe God really will answer your prayer? Why or why not? 2. Share with others a recent answer to prayer you ve experienced. 3. Are there any times or conditions when God will not answer our prayers? 4. As believers across the nation cry out for revival and awakening, do you think there is a tipping point when the last prayer has come before God sends revival? If so, what does that mean to you about your daily intercession for revival? 5. What do you think you could do to increase your faith in God s ability and willingness to answer prayer? HE S LISTENING // 25

28 6. What do you think God means when He says, Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)? Is this possible? If so, how? CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Think of how you feel and respond when one of your children cries out. What is it about God s nature that makes Him attentive to a single believer s cry? Spend time thanking Him. INTERCESSION Pray that you would experience personal revival in your own life, and pray for our nation. Pray through the psalmist s cry for revival in Psalm 85. Determine before God to pray daily, for the next thirty days, for revival and awakening in our nation. 26 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

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30 WAITING FOR ONE CRY SESSION // 6 6 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY This chapter challenges readers not just to pray, but to pray together. In God s purposes for us, He not only intends that we have a living relationship with Jesus on our own, but that we unify in heart and prayer with one another. Bill Elliff explains that there is incredible power in a united cry, which is why the OneCry Declaration asks for group involvement, not just individual agreement. He believes that a united cry is uniquely irresistible to God ; that is, that God s presence and power are attracted to those who cry out for revival together. DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS On page 101, a portion of Jesus prayer for unity is reprinted from John 17. Ask the group to share times where they have had either positive or negative experiences in unified prayer with other believers. And beyond just prayer, what do they think are the roadblocks to church-wide unity? 28 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

31 Read aloud the section entitled One Power, beginning on page 108. Discuss the differences the group sees in that story compared to the kinds of prayer meetings they have been a part of in their own lives. OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH 1. Why do you think the church is in such disunity? 2. What do you think the people in your community who do not know God would think if they heard that all the churches in your city were united in prayer? 3. While God hears every cry, why would God respond more to a united cry? 4. What do you think could happen to move the believers in your city to unite in one cry? 5. God has used ordinary people to change nations. What could you do to help move the whole church in your city to a united cry for revival and spiritual awakening? 6. What do you think will happen if we do not unite in one, desperate cry? WAITING FOR ONE CRY // 29

32 CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Thank God for the potential He has given us for unity in the body of Christ. Thank Him for the many promises He gives to us as we unite in crying out to Him! INTERCESSION Spend time praying that God would unite every believer and every church in the city with Himself first, knowing that unity with Him will bring unity with other believers. Pray through John 17, asking God to fulfill Jesus prayer in your city and our nation. Ask God to move in supernatural ways to unite the people in your church and our nation in one cry. Pray for existing prayer movements you may know about in your city; ask God to grant them favor and produce results for His glory. Start a OneCry prayer group in your church or area for ongoing intercession. For more information on how to do this, go to 30 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

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34 BELIEVE 7 SESSION // 7 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY This chapter counters the oppressive darkness we see around us which causes us to doubt that things could really change, reminding us that God can save us now! Bill Elliff makes a powerful case in this chapter for believing God to do great things; having the faith not only to ask for revival but to expect an answer to that urgent prayer. He explains, If you think I m a lunatic, go ahead.... Everything I ve just described has happened, more than once, in American history. And our God is powerful enough to do it again. It is time to put our faith in God s power to change everything through spiritual awakening, beginning in our own lives and families. DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS Beginning on page 119, Bill Elliff cites a list from Bob Bakke, an expert on the history of the Great Awakenings. Read the list with your group, and make comparisons to the situation America faces today. 32 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

35 The author concludes this chapter with his dream of seeing a powerful spiritual movement in America before his death (pages ). Make a list with your group of what the likely temporal and eternal consequences would be if this dream does not come true, and what some of the positive effects would be if it does. OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH 1. Real revival is a sovereign work of God. He does what He desires, when He desires, but He also calls us to respond. In fact, in His sovereignty there are things God says He will not do if we do not confess our sins and turn and pray! (See James 4:1-10.) What do you think is our responsibility to help create a culture of revival in our lives, our churches, and our nation? Think about this deeply. 2. Do you believe there is a realistic chance that God will save us? Why would He? Why wouldn t He? 3. Think deeply, and describe to others what you dream about in terms of national revival. What would it look like and feel like? How would God be BELIEVE // 33

36 glorified and His Son be lifted up? What could be the results of another Great Awakening in America? 4. What do you think the effects of such an awakening might be around the world if God visited our land again? 5. As you have read through this book, what are some of your next steps to cooperate with God toward revival and awakening? CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Thank God for all that He has done in the past. Walk through the seasons of your life, your church, and our nation, and thank Him for all His merciful, gracious works. Thank God for His power and ability to bring revival now. Rehearse before Him the attributes that are His that make such a supernatural awakening possible. INTERCESSION Spend time crying out to God for revival in our land. Ask Him to give you His heart and burden for this urgent need. Pray for this for His glory and the honor of His blessed Son. 34 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

37 Pray for God to sustain you, and all those around you who are going through the OneCry Experience, in continued prayer for revival in the coming months. Pray for every church you can name in your city, that God would bring revival to their congregations. And then... never, never, never give up praying until He comes! BELIEVE // 35

38 THE ONECRY HIGHWAY SESSION // 8 8 CHAPTER REVIEW SUMMARY In this concluding chapter, Byron Paulus lays out the practical vision of the OneCry call, where we put into daily practice the Revival Realities Bill Elliff shared in the preceding chapters. In summary, Byron believes that American Christians must do three things to prepare for the spiritual awakening our culture so desperately needs: TURN (in repentance), PRAY (in faith), and UNITE (for prayer and action). This vision is anchored in the Declaration of National Spiritual Emergency found on page 130. DISCUSSION WARM-UP IDEAS On pages , Byron Paulus explains the three kinds of people he believes should drive the OneCry call to the nation. Review these with the group, and ask if anyone would like to share ideas or desires that could be next steps personally as a result of reading this book and considering the OneCry vision. 36 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

39 A. W. Tozer is quoted on page 140 regarding the limitless power of God. Read this quote aloud, and take a few moments to pray about the kind of commitment being suggested. Would the members of your group be willing to live this kind of life, to have this kind of faith, to step out with this level of commitment? OPEN WITH PRAYER WATCH THE VIDEO LEAD DISCUSSION AND PRAYER TIME THINKING IT THROUGH 1. Hopefully, over the last eight weeks, your faith has grown in God s ability to send revival and awakening across our nation. Discuss some of the ways this has happened. 2. Share your understanding of what revival really is and the difference between revival and awakening. 3. How important is your personal spiritual condition to a movement of nationwide revival? 4. What adjustments have you already started to make in your life to more fully cooperate with God in revival? 5. What further adjustments do you need to make? THE ONECRY HIGHWAY // 37

40 6. What can you do, and what can your church do, to persevere in the cry for revival? What are practical steps you can continue to take to fan a united cry for revival in your life... your church... your city... our nation? CRYING OUT THANKSGIVING Give thanks for what God has taught you in the last eight weeks. Give thanks for God s ability and proven history of faithfully sending revival when His people return to Him. Thank God that He has given us His Word and prayer as a means of communing with Him about such critical issues. Thank Him that He hears and answers our prayers and remains true to the promises of His Word! INTERCESSION You should now be better equipped to pray for revival and awakening than ever before. Spend the next moments crying out with all your heart for this urgent need! 38 // DISCUSSION & PRAYER GUIDES

41 Ask God to show you personally and with others how you can continue to fan the flame of revival in the coming months. Read through Isaiah 64 and personalize it in prayer, praying it back to God as your heart s cry to Him. THE ONECRY HIGHWAY // 39

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44 SMALL GROUP DIGITAL RESOURCES Additional digital resources are available for download by visiting and entering the access code below. Downloadable Leader s Guide Session Videos ACCESS CODE OCE647