Who Do I Pray To?

Opener 1. When you wanted to do something as a kid, did you have a specific parent you went to first to ask for permission? What made you choose one over the other? 2. What are the different names, titles, or nicknames people call you depending on the setting (e.g., at work, at home, by old childhood friends)? What does the various names say about your relationship or role in that environment? Discussion 1. Read Matthew 3:13-17. If you were standing on the banks of the Jordan River witnessing this moment firsthand, what would your impression be? What does this scene show us about the distinct presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working all at once? Look at the roles highlighted in the sermon: God the Father: Creator, Protector, Provider. God the Son: Redeemer, closer than a brother, shows us the Father’s heart. God the Holy Spirit: Comforter, Guide, the one who empowers us to follow Jesus. 2. Which person of the Trinity do you naturally find it easiest to relate to right now? Which role do you feel you need to experience more deeply this week? The Trinity is three distinct persons but ONE God. When we ask the practical question, “Who do I pray to? Father? Son? Holy Spirit?”, the sermon’s ultimate answer is a resounding “YES!” because prayer is fundamentally about relationship. 3. How does shifting your focus from a theological puzzle to an invitation into a relationship change the way you talk to God this week? How has this week’s sermon about the Trinity and the Holy Spirit grown you? What questions does it raise? Application 1. What does it look like for you to invite the Holy Spirit to be your Guide and Helper, and the one who empowers you to walk with Jesus this week? Close in Prayer Spend time in prayer freeing ourselves from the anxiety of “getting prayer right”. Thank God for drawing us into relationship with Him , and ask the Holy Spirit to comfortably guide, help, and empower everyone to walk closely with Jesus this week.