1. The passage today offers a powerful example of prayer. To begin your discussion time, share your thoughts about some of the ways that you pray that you find meaningful and effective.
2. Read Acts 4:23-31 together. Take a few moments to share any thoughts that came to mind as you read through the passage. Do any words or phrases stand out to you? Do any questions arise?
3. Evangelism can be something that is quite scary and out of people’s comfort zone for some. In what ways do you find the calling to proclaim the good news of Jesus to others scary or difficult? What barriers stand in the way for you? On the other hand, in what ways do you feel inspired and excited about sharing the gospel with others?
4. The disciples were facing significant opposition as they sought to proclaim the good news of Jesus to the world, and continuing to speak in the name of Jesus meant they could be imprisoned or even killed. In what ways did this make prayer so vital in order for them to carry out the mission Jesus had entrusted to them?
5. Their prayer began by acknowledging God’s sovereignty and remembering who they were praying to - the one who created the heavens and the earth. Why was this important? How did it shape their prayer? What impact can this approach have in your own prayers?
6. In their prayer, the disciples made two requests:

• That God would enable them to speak His word with boldness
• That God would stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus

   7. Why are these requests remarkable? (hint – consider the situation the disciples faced that led to this moment of                   prayer, found in Acts 3 and 4). What might we have expected them to pray for? What do you think you would have                 prayed, if you were in their situation?

   8. What does this prayer reveal about how the disciples understood the opposition and challenges they were faced

       with? In what ways does this challenge your own understanding of how to pray amidst the difficulties and challenges           you might face in your own life?

   9. As you think about the disciples unwavering resolve to share the good news with others, are you encouraged or                     inspired or challenged to participate more deeply in the mission to proclaim and practice the living Christ, so that the         world may know and encounter Jesus? What steps can you take?

Pray for one another out of the things that you have shared. Pray especially for God to guide and direct your prayers, and that God would help each one of you to have boldness and courage to boldly live out the mission to proclaim Jesus in the ways that God is calling you to.