Reset - Pray, Fast, Love
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
July 27, 2025
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Podcast Audio
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Gen Sunday, August 3
Don’t miss this awesome day where we feature our next generation of disciples and leaders, hear stories from our family ministry, experience an awesome time of worship featuring our preschoolers and elementary students leading us in one of their worship songs, and much more!
OneLife Students Back to School Bash, August 6
Wednesday night, August 6 at 6:30pm we’ll be having our annual OneLife Students Back-To-School Bash at the North Campus. It’s going to be a lot of fun as we wrap up summer and get ready to kick off the new school year! So mark your calendars and make plans to be there! If you’d like more information about OneLife Students, mark the OneLife Students box on your Connection Card.
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting
From August 18 to September 26, we’re inviting everyone to join us in prayer each day as we seek God for OneLife and the new season ahead. In addition to praying daily, we’re asking each person to choose at least one day during this time to participate in a true biblical fast on behalf of our church. We’ll have someone hosting the calendar to help get you signed up for the day you choose. We’ll also send you reminders, provide helpful resources, and walk with you every step of the way. Let’s believe together that every day will be covered in both prayer and fasting!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
_____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
Bottom Line: Prayer and fasting are the keys to resetting my life and resetting my church.
Matthew 6:5-8 NLT
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
1. Jesus expects me to pray.
Matthew 6:5-6 NLT
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
2. Prayer is personal before it is public.
Matthew 6:16 NLT
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
3. Jesus expects me to fast.
FASTING
Deliberate abstinence from some form of physical gratification for a period of time to achieve a spiritual goal.
Matthew 6:16 NLT
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
4. Fasting humbles me before God.
Isaiah 58:3 NLT
3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.‘Why aren’t you impressed?We have been very hard on ourselves,and you don’t even notice it!’“I will tell you why!” I respond.“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.Even while you fast,you keep oppressing your workers.
Matthew 6:17-18 NIV
17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5. Fasting focuses me on God.
Matthew 6:17-18 NIV
17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
6. Fasting brings results.
_______________________________
START TALKING:
What are everyday things in your life that need a reset every once in a while in order to work properly?
What happens if you never reset the things shared above?
START THINKING:
Read Matthew 6:5-17. How many times do you see the word “when” in this passage and what is it referring to each time? What is the significant or implication of Jesus using this word?
What similar warning does Jesus give about prayer and fasting in terms of what not to do? What does this mean we SHOULD do when we fast and pray?
If Jesus expects us to fast, why don’t we do it?
START SHARING:
How were you taught to pray? What were the examples of prayer that you saw growing up or when you first started following Jesus? Was it similar to or different than what Jesus describes in this passage?
What have you been taught or what have you understood about fasting? Have you ever fasted? Why or why not?
If you have fasted before, how did it humble you? How did it focus you on God? What did you see God do? If you haven’t fasted before, what do you think you can expect in each of those three areas?
START DOING:
Read Matthew 6:9-13. If this is our model for how to pray, what are the different pieces to what our prayer should include? How can you use this as a model to pray?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. How can you put this into practice in real life?
What will you plan to do to join our church in the 40 days of prayer and fasting? Which day will you fast? What will you be seeking from God as you do this?
START PRAYING:
Pray for each person in the microchurch to grow in the disciplines of prayer and fasting. Pray that each of us come to a greater daily experience and relationship with the Father as a result. Pray that this brings us an even greater understanding of our vision to see every OneLifer living on mission and making a difference for eternity in the lives of those around us.
_______________________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
July 27, 2025
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Podcast Audio
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Gen Sunday, August 3
Don’t miss this awesome day where we feature our next generation of disciples and leaders, hear stories from our family ministry, experience an awesome time of worship featuring our preschoolers and elementary students leading us in one of their worship songs, and much more!
OneLife Students Back to School Bash, August 6
Wednesday night, August 6 at 6:30pm we’ll be having our annual OneLife Students Back-To-School Bash at the North Campus. It’s going to be a lot of fun as we wrap up summer and get ready to kick off the new school year! So mark your calendars and make plans to be there! If you’d like more information about OneLife Students, mark the OneLife Students box on your Connection Card.
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting
From August 18 to September 26, we’re inviting everyone to join us in prayer each day as we seek God for OneLife and the new season ahead. In addition to praying daily, we’re asking each person to choose at least one day during this time to participate in a true biblical fast on behalf of our church. We’ll have someone hosting the calendar to help get you signed up for the day you choose. We’ll also send you reminders, provide helpful resources, and walk with you every step of the way. Let’s believe together that every day will be covered in both prayer and fasting!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
_____________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
Bottom Line: Prayer and fasting are the keys to resetting my life and resetting my church.
Matthew 6:5-8 NLT
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
1. Jesus expects me to pray.
Matthew 6:5-6 NLT
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
2. Prayer is personal before it is public.
Matthew 6:16 NLT
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
3. Jesus expects me to fast.
FASTING
Deliberate abstinence from some form of physical gratification for a period of time to achieve a spiritual goal.
Matthew 6:16 NLT
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.
4. Fasting humbles me before God.
Isaiah 58:3 NLT
3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.‘Why aren’t you impressed?We have been very hard on ourselves,and you don’t even notice it!’“I will tell you why!” I respond.“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.Even while you fast,you keep oppressing your workers.
Matthew 6:17-18 NIV
17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5. Fasting focuses me on God.
Matthew 6:17-18 NIV
17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
6. Fasting brings results.
_______________________________
START TALKING:
What are everyday things in your life that need a reset every once in a while in order to work properly?
What happens if you never reset the things shared above?
START THINKING:
Read Matthew 6:5-17. How many times do you see the word “when” in this passage and what is it referring to each time? What is the significant or implication of Jesus using this word?
What similar warning does Jesus give about prayer and fasting in terms of what not to do? What does this mean we SHOULD do when we fast and pray?
If Jesus expects us to fast, why don’t we do it?
START SHARING:
How were you taught to pray? What were the examples of prayer that you saw growing up or when you first started following Jesus? Was it similar to or different than what Jesus describes in this passage?
What have you been taught or what have you understood about fasting? Have you ever fasted? Why or why not?
If you have fasted before, how did it humble you? How did it focus you on God? What did you see God do? If you haven’t fasted before, what do you think you can expect in each of those three areas?
START DOING:
Read Matthew 6:9-13. If this is our model for how to pray, what are the different pieces to what our prayer should include? How can you use this as a model to pray?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. How can you put this into practice in real life?
What will you plan to do to join our church in the 40 days of prayer and fasting? Which day will you fast? What will you be seeking from God as you do this?
START PRAYING:
Pray for each person in the microchurch to grow in the disciplines of prayer and fasting. Pray that each of us come to a greater daily experience and relationship with the Father as a result. Pray that this brings us an even greater understanding of our vision to see every OneLifer living on mission and making a difference for eternity in the lives of those around us.
_______________________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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