Built On Values
Week One: Prayer – The Foundation of Our Five Core Values
Congregational Sermon Notes
Name: _____________________________
Date: ______________________________
Primary Scriptures: James 5:16–18 • Acts 4:23–31 • Colossians 4:2
Key Truth
Everything God desires to accomplish through His Church begins with ____________________.
The Five Core Values of the Church of the Nazarene
Main Idea
Prayer is not merely one of our Core Values—it is the ________________________ upon which every other value is built.
James 5:16
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”
I. Prayer Is the Foundation of God’s Work
Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer…”
The word devote means:
Prayer is not our ________ resort.
Prayer is our ________ response.
Throughout Scripture
Who prayed before God moved?
□ Moses
□ Hannah
□ Elijah
□ Jesus
□ The Early Church
Personal Application
Before asking…
“What should I do?”
I should first ask…
II. Prayer Produces Holy Hearts
James 5:16
Effective prayer flows from a __________________ life.
Prayer changes __________________ before it changes our circumstances.
As Nazarenes we believe the Holy Spirit…
□ Forgives sin
□ Sanctifies believers
□ Cleanses our hearts
□ Fills us with holy love
Reflection
What area of my life needs to be surrendered to Christ?
III. Prayer Gives Birth to Compassionate Outreach
Matthew 9:36
Jesus looked at people with ________________________.
Prayer changes how we see people.
Instead of seeing strangers…
We begin seeing ________________________.
This Week’s Challenge
Write the names of five people you will pray for every day.
IV. Prayer Opens Our Hearts to God’s Word
Psalm 119:18
Bible study without prayer produces
__________________________.
Bible study with prayer produces
__________________________.
Our goal is not simply to know more…
Our goal is to become more like __________________.
V. Prayer Develops Disciple Makers
Jesus prayed before investing in His disciples.
Prayer produces spiritual
__________________________.
Spiritual maturity produces
__________________________.
Reflection
Who has God called me to encourage or disciple?
VI. Prayer Builds Authentic Relationships
Prayer…
□ Removes pride
□ Softens hearts
□ Teaches forgiveness
□ Creates unity
Authentic relationships are produced by the work of the ________________________.
My Next Step
Today God is calling me to…
☐ Develop a daily prayer life.
☐ Spend more time in God’s Word.
☐ Pray for someone who needs Christ.
☐ Seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
☐ Reconcile a broken relationship.
☐ Commit to praying regularly for Anna Naz.
Weekly Memory Verse
Colossians 4:2
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Sermon Summary
Prayer is the ________________________ of every healthy church.
When God’s people pray…
• Holy hearts are formed.
• Lost people are reached.
• God’s Word transforms lives.
• Disciples are made.
• Authentic relationships grow.
• God receives the glory.
Answer Key (Leader Copy)
Key Truth
- Prayer
Five Core Values
- Fervent Prayer
- Compassionate Outreach
- Comprehensive Biblical Learning
- Intentional Mentoring and Equipping
- Authentic Relationships
Main Idea
- Foundation
I. Prayer Is the Foundation of God’s Work
- Continue steadfastly; persevere; remain faithful
- Last
- First
- “Have I sought God in prayer?”
II. Prayer Produces Holy Hearts
- Righteous
- Us (or “our hearts”)
- All four boxes should be checked
III. Prayer Gives Birth to Compassionate Outreach
- Compassion
- Souls (or “people as Christ sees them”)
IV. Prayer Opens Our Hearts to God’s Word
- Information
- Transformation
- Jesus
V. Prayer Develops Disciple Makers
- Maturity
- Disciple makers
VI. Prayer Builds Authentic Relationships
- Holy Spirit
Sermon Summary
- Foundation
Challenge for the Week: Spend at least 15 minutes each day in prayer, pray intentionally for the five people you listed, and ask God to make you a person whose life is truly built on prayer.