Life Group Resources: Whose Will Be Done?

Opening Prayer
Begin by praying the Lord's Prayer together slowly and intentionally, pausing after "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Icebreaker Question
When you hear the phrase "kingdom of God," what's the first image that comes to your mind? How has your understanding of this phrase changed over your lifetime?

Key Takeaways
The Kingdom of God is Present, Not Just Future
God's kingdom is not merely a heavenly destination but God's active reign here and now
It's God's power, goodness, love, and mercy made visible on earth
The kingdom shows up wherever God's will is being done
Isaiah's Vision of God's Kingdom
A world where power doesn't devour the weak
Where fear doesn't decide who belongs
Where division gives way to listening and understanding
Where children lead with trust, hope, and honesty
Jesus Embodied the Kingdom
Jesus didn't just announce the kingdom—he lived it
He crossed every boundary to love without limits
His ministry made God's kingdom tangible and visible
We Are Called to Be Agents of Heaven on Earth
Praying "Thy will be done" means committing to live differently
It requires "less of me, more of thee"
Each of us has a role in making God's kingdom visible

Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text
The sermon described the Lord's Prayer as having a "pivotal turn" at "Thy kingdom come." What shifts in this moment from comfort to commitment? How does this change how you approach praying these words?
Adam Hamilton says the kingdom of God is "not a place out there somewhere" but "God's active reign here and now." How does this definition challenge or expand your previous understanding?
Read Isaiah 11:6-9. What do the metaphors of the wolf living with the lamb and the child leading them reveal about God's intended order for creation?

Personal Reflection
The sermon asks: "Do we believe this dream, this vision, this kingdom of God is possible here on earth?" How would you honestly answer this question? What makes it difficult to believe? What gives you hope?
The pastor mentioned feeling "deep weariness of anger, exhaustion, and despair" in our current cultural moment. Do you resonate with this? How does Isaiah's vision speak to these feelings?
When you pray "Thy will be done," what specific areas of your life feel most resistant to surrendering to God's will? Where is it hardest to pray "less of me, more of thee"?

Application and Action
The sermon states: "We are each called to be agents of God's heaven on earth." What does this look like practically in your daily life—at work, at home, in your community?
Jesus embodied the kingdom by:
Refusing to condemn when others wanted judgment
Feeding people when others said to send them away
Healing those others ignored
Crossing boundaries to love without limits
Which of these actions feels most challenging for you to embody right now? Why?
Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech was described as echoing the biblical vision of God's kingdom. Where do you see glimpses of God's kingdom breaking through in our world today? Where is it most desperately needed?

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge

Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:

Option 1: Daily Kingdom Prayer Each morning this week, pray the Lord's Prayer slowly. After "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done," pause and ask: "God, where do you want me to bring your kingdom today? Show me one person or situation where I can embody your will."

Option 2: Cross a Boundary Jesus crossed racial, cultural, religious, and gender boundaries to love people. Identify one boundary (political, social, cultural, etc.) that separates you from someone else. Take one intentional step to build a bridge this week—listen to their story, share a meal, ask a genuine question.

Option 3: Isaiah's Vision in Action Pick one element from Isaiah 11's vision (protecting the vulnerable, listening instead of shouting, replacing fear with trust, etc.). Commit to one concrete action this week that moves that vision from imagination to reality.

Option 4: "Less of Me, More of Thee" Identify one area where your will conflicts with what you sense is God's will. Practice daily surrender by praying: "God, in this situation, may your will be done, not mine." Journal about what changes.

Group Activity
Kingdom Mapping Exercise (15-20 minutes)

On a large sheet of paper or whiteboard, create two columns:
Column 1: "Where We See God's Kingdom Breaking Through"
Column 2: "Where God's Kingdom Is Needed Most"
As a group, brainstorm specific examples in your community, nation, and world for each column.
Circle 2-3 items in Column 2 where your group could potentially take action together.
Discuss: What would it look like for our small group to be "agents of heaven on earth" in one of these areas?
Closing Reflection

Read together Colossians 1:9-14 (from the sermon's opening).

Closing Question: After this discussion, what does it mean to you personally to pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"?

Closing Prayer: Invite each person to complete this sentence prayer aloud:

"God, this week, help me to bring your kingdom by..."

Close by praying together the adapted Lord's Prayer from the sermon:

"Our loving parent, who is transcendent and all-powerful and yet personable and near, as close as the air we breathe, may your name be hallowed in the way I live my life. God, we need your realm of love, peace, justice, and mercy to break into our world here and now. Shape us by your will, your ways, your word, until earth, our world, our lives, and everything here and now reflects your heaven. Amen."