Summary: Jesus is actively praying for his followers today. He prayed specifically for Peter that he would not lose his faith in the face of failure, hardships, and the sifting process. Without Jesus praying for us to the Father, our lives will be shipwrecked, our faith lost, and Satan will tear us apart.
Text: Hebrews 7:23-25 and Luke 22:31-62
1. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 7:23-25. What does it mean that Jesus is our "priest?" What does he do for us in that role? How should you approach Jesus as the priest in your life?
2. Sifting of wheat happens in 2 steps: Threshing and winnowing. Threshing means spreading out on the floor and seperating the wheat grains off of the stalk with a wide mallet. Once the grains are separated and cracked open, the winnowing occurs as the grains are tossed into the air and allowed to fall back and hit the ground. This process is repeated many times until the grain is refined and ready for use.
a. Why does sifting happen in our lives? Why would God allow it to happen to us?
b. Have their been seasons in your life where you felt like you were being sifted? What happened? How did you respond? How are you refined now as a result of it?
c. We all have "stalks" and "hard skins" in our lives that have to be removed. Many times God has to remove things from our lives before we can be effectively used for his mission. What are the stalks and skins in your life? What areas do you find yourself struggling in?
3. Too many times, people allow their past failures to determine their future trajectory as a disciple of Jesus. Are there things that are lurking in your past that are keeping you from being bold for Jesus? Keeping you from following him wholeheartedly? Keeping you from taking your next step and living a life of significance on mission for Jesus?
b. How can you eliminate those? Have you ever had to get over a failure in your life? How did it happen, and how did you move beyond it?
4. READ Luke 22:34.
a. What does Jesus tell Peter to do once he turns back to God after he denied Jesus 3 times?
b. Read Hebrews 10:21-25. How can you use your past seasons of sifting to accomplish the things listed in this verse, especially in vs 24-25?
c. It sounds like one of the big reasons God allows us to go through things in life is to turn around and help others that may be facing the same struggles. Are there people that you need to reach out to this week? Is there a way that you can use your story of sifting to help build up and encourage another follower of Jesus so that their faith can remain strong and rooted in Jesus?
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