This is My Prayer

This is My Prayer

By Justin Huffman

September 13th , 2026

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

1. Does anyone have a testimony to share with the group of how you applied last week’s “Respond” section?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

2. Read Philippians 1:9-11 together as a group and discuss your initial observations.

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

3. Pastor Justin warns against becoming ‘hollow men and women’ who perform affections that are not actually driving their lives — what are the subtle habits or patterns that most commonly hollow out a person’s spiritual sincerity over time?

4. Paul writes that the fruit of righteousness comes ‘through Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 1:11), not through human effort — how does a church practically maintain this distinction between striving in dependence on Christ and striving in self-reliance?

5. What is the relationship between being “pure and blameless” and the coming “day of Christ”?

6. The pastor observes that approving ‘what is excellent’ (Philippians 1:10) requires feeding the fires of right affections rather than simply avoiding what is wrong — what is the difference between a faith defined by what it avoids and one defined by what it loves?

7. What would it look like this week for your life to produce more “fruit of righteousness”?

Respond: Choose one or two of these applications from Sunday’s message to put into practice this week.

• Feed the right fires.The pastor noted that we can come to worship feeling dry because we have been feasting on everything except God’s Word and prayer throughout the week. This week, identify one specific habit that is crowding out time with God and replace it with intentional time in Scripture or prayer.
• Practice discerning love.Think of one relationship in your life where you have been offering sympathy or support without much wisdom. Ask God for discernment this week about how to love that person well, not just comfortably.
• Pursue what is excellent.Make a short, honest list of what you are giving the most of your time, attention, and energy to. Then ask yourself whether those things will matter when you stand before Christ. Bring that list to God in prayer.
• Confess what is hollowing you out.If the pastor’s question about mediocrity or hypocrisy landed with you, do not let it pass. Bring it to God in prayer this week, and consider whether there is a trusted friend, spouse, or pastor with whom you should share it and seek accountability.
• Pray Paul’s prayer for your church.Using Philippians 1:9-11 as a guide, spend time this week praying specifically for your church community. Pray that love would abound with knowledge and discernment, that your congregation would approve what is excellent, and that you would together be filled with the fruit of righteousness through Christ to God’s glory.