Life Group Resources: Our Father

Sermon Series: The Lord's Prayer (Week 1 of 6)
Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15
Key Focus: Understanding the opening line of the Lord's Prayer and its implications for daily living

Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Begin by slowly praying the Lord's Prayer together, pausing after each phrase to let the words sink in.

Icebreaker Question (10 minutes)
Share your earliest memory of the Lord's Prayer:

Where were you when you first heard or learned it?
Who taught it to you or who were you with?
What stands out to you about that memory?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon
Prayer is relational, not performative - Jesus calls us away from prayer as public performance toward authentic conversation with God
God is both transcendent and intimate - "Our Father" reveals God as powerful yet personal, cosmic yet close
Prayer is communal - "Our" (not "my") reminds us we pray as part of God's global family
Hallowing God's name is active - We honor God's name through how we live, not just what we say.

Discussion Questions (30-40 minutes)
Understanding the Text
What surprised you most about the sermon's explanation of the Lord's Prayer? Was there something you had never noticed or thought about before?
Jesus shocked his audience by calling God "Father." Why was this so radical? How does understanding the cultural context change how you hear this prayer?
The sermon mentioned that the disciples rarely understood Jesus at first. Why do you think Jesus chose such simple words for this prayer if the meaning is so deep?

Personal Reflection
How do you typically address God when you pray? (Almighty, Father, Friend, Lord, etc.) What does your choice of words reveal about how you see God?
The sermon asked: "Where in my life does God's name need to be hallowed?" Take a moment to honestly reflect:
In your speech (in person, text, online)?
In how you treat those who disagree with you?
In how you spend your time and resources?
In your private thoughts and attitudes?
"Hallowed be thy name" means asking God to help us honor Him through our lives. Share one specific area where you struggle to hallow God's name. (Keep this vulnerable and grace-filled)

Going Deeper
The sermon states: "We can't pray 'hallowed be thy name' and then live in ways that dishonor God or treat others as disposable."
When have you seen a disconnect between someone's prayers and their actions (including yourself)?
How can we hold ourselves accountable without becoming judgmental?
"Our Father" places us in community with all believers across time and cultures. How does knowing you're praying alongside Christians who are suffering, joyful, powerful, and powerless change your perspective on prayer?
The sermon suggests the Lord's Prayer is "not just a model for how to pray but a model for how to live." What would change in your daily life if you truly lived out just this first line.

Practical Applications (15-20 minutes)
This Week's Challenge

Follow the sermon's invitation: Pray just the first line of the Lord's Prayer every single day this week.

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name."

Focus on each word
Reflect on its meaning
Listen for how God is speaking to you
Notice how these words begin to shape you
Group Accountability

Pair up with another group member (or form groups of 3) and share:

One specific way you want to hallow God's name this week
One area where you need prayer to align your life with God's holiness
Exchange contact information and check in with each other mid-week.

Reflection Exercise

Before next week's meeting, journal on these questions:

What did I notice about myself as I prayed this line daily?
How did my understanding of God deepen?
In what specific moment this week did I succeed or fail to hallow God's name?
What is God teaching me through this phrase?
Additional Activities (Optional)

For the Artistic

Create a visual representation (drawing, collage, word art) of what "Our Father, hallowed be thy name" means to you. Share photos in your group chat.

For the Analytical

Research how different Christian traditions translate or interpret this opening line. What insights do other perspectives offer?

For Families

Teach a child in your life the Lord's Prayer this week. Notice what questions they ask and what fresh perspective they bring.

Closing (10 minutes)

Popcorn Prayer

Go around the circle and have each person complete this sentence as a prayer:

"God, may Your name be hallowed in my life through..."

Final Prayer

Close by praying the Lord's Prayer together again, this time with renewed understanding and commitment.