Introduction and Ice Breaker
What are some things you are looking forward to in the fall?
Name any significant prophetic words you have received in your life.
Themes to Consider
What is the gift of prophecy?
Prophecy in Old Testament and the New Testament
Purpose of Prophecy
Types: Dreams, visions, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, impressions, etc.
Prophecy is not prayer
What to do with a prophetic word?
Discussion Questions
What was your impression about prophecy before today?
How has the sermon today affected or changed how you see prophecy?
In 1 Corinthians 14:1-4, the primary purpose of prophetic ministry is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort believers. In other words, “the one who prophesies edifies the church.”
When you hear that the purpose of prophecy is for strength, encouragement and comfort, are you more open to growing the practice of giving and receiving prophesy?Barb mentions four steps of response to prophecy:
Meditate - Pray about it
Record - Write it down, record it if you can
Test it - Search God’s Word to see if it contradicts
Ask - Holy Spirit to explain it
The first and last is rooted in prayer. Does prophecy lead you to talking with the Father?
Guided Prayer
Silence / Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it, if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused.
Read / Meditate on this prayer of St. Paul and ask God to help you see with the eyes of your heart as well.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV
Supplemental Content
1 Peter 1:3–12
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
