Family Life

Lesson FAM004– Small Group Bible Study on Praying for your Children

Look up the following Scriptures. When reading these verses ask yourself the following questions:

1. Who is talking/writing?
2. Who is the audience?
3. What do these verses have to say about our main topic?

Read the following article that relates to our topical Bible study.

The Power of Praying for Your Children
By Dennis and Barbara Rainey
The sobering news about raising children is that we really have no ultimate control over whether our child will choose the narrow gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:14) or the wide gate that leads to destruction. If other experiences in life have not humbled us and shown us how dependent we are on God, then parenting a preadolescent or teenager will. Read more

As you read the article, highlight the sentences, statements or paragraphs that you find most profound, confusing, revolutionary, fundamental or inspiring.  Mark each highlight with the reason you choose it.  Use the corresponding word or letter. P = Profound , C = Confusing , R = Revolutionary , F = Fundamental , I = Inspiring.

After you have done this for the entire article, force yourself to narrow your favorite sentences, statements or paragraphs down to your top 5. Then top 3. Then 1. This will prepare you for in-depth group discussion.

Not only will this technique improve overall reading comprehension, but will act as a discussion outline for your small group.  This method also provides a jump start if you choose to do a written summary of the article.

Answer the following questions after reading the article above:

1. It has been said that being a perfect parent doesn't matter. Being a praying parent does. Explain what this means to you.
   
   
   
2. What is the single most important thing to pray for concerning your children?
   
   
   
3. List Five things that you might pray for a young child. How about for a teenager? An adult child?
   
   
   
4. When is a good time to pray with your children?
   
   
   
5. What would your prayer life be like if you had a prodigal son or a wayward child?
   
   
   
6. Describe a time when God answered prayer concerning your child.