1. Chapter 2 – PRAYER Connecting with the Heart of the Master Planter Church Planting places you in the spiritual battle for the hearts and lives of people. Jesus the Master Planter – is also the Great Intercessor for the World He loves and for the missional people He deploys into the mission field. As (Jesus) approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it, and said, “If you had known on this day what would bring you peace…” Luke 19:41-42 Reflect on and Discuss the Artisan Story

2. 1. You will learn the Need for Prayer 10 Church Planting Maxims 10. You will be broken. Jeremiah 18:6 9. Plant behind the plow. Prayer is the plow. Luke 10:2-3 8. People are polite - don’t believe them. John 2:23-24 7. 75 is the enemy … it’s about momentum in the mission. Acts 2:47 6. You can’t plant a church from behind a desk. Matthew 28:20 5. There is no magic bullet Colossians 1:28-29 4. God’s in the vision – the devil’s in the details. Matthew 4:4 3. It’s the relational – not the technical.. Matthew 22:37-40 2. Isolation kills – connection gives life. Matthew 10:1 1. It’s a God thing. Acts 5:38-39

3. A Church Planter PRAYS “The way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in me.” Bill Hybels 2. P rioritize Prayer in your life, in the team and in the life of the church - Unfortunately, too many planters are more human DOINGS, than human BEINGS - We should Plant AFTER the Plow, not BEFORE – Prayer is the Plow. Ask the Lord of the harvest…to send out workers into His harvest field. Go! … Luke 10:2-3 Notice that Pray ye (comes before) Go ye… - In Acts, the Lord’s first instruction to His church was to Pray… Acts 1:4 And they all gathered together constantly in prayer. Acts 1:14 And they all gathered together constantly in prayer. Acts 1:14

4. 3. Recruit a Prayer Team How will you recruit a prayer team of intercessors & partners How will you communicate with your prayer team?

5. 4. All – Involve the Whole Church in Prayer They all joined together in prayer. Acts 1:14 After they prayed, the place was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31 How will you get EVERYONE on your team praying for friends, neighbors, acquaintances at work/school, and relatives – to come to Christ through the new church or for believers to come and connect with the new church? One way to do this is to: the P.I.E. method Other ways to get everyone praying… All-church options for prayer… How will you do this?

6. Yes – Seek God’s Miracles for your new church all of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ… II Cor 12.20 5. Yes – Seek God’s Miracles for your new church all of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ… II Cor 12.20 Church Plants need God’s miracles. Church plants regularly pray for God to… Draw key leaders at the right time Open up the right meeting space Provide financial resources Change lives! And many more… It’s a miracle when any church becomes a relational bridge between God and the community. What miracles are you trusting God for? In Acts they prayed for miracles… Miracles happen when walk in the Spirit; and, as we follow God’s leadership through prayer, listening and group affirmation.

7. Don’t think you need to be like Atlas and carry the whole burden yourself! He’s a mythical figure! Don’t respond to each new challenge by lifting it on your own shoulders… Instead carry it to God in prayer who will shoulder the burden with you… AND create Systems that will help you gain leverage and lift the burden…

8. Archimedes: “Give me a place to stand and I will move the earth.” 6. Develop Good Systems for Prayer SYSTEM = Saves You Stress Time Energy & Money What systems will you use for Personal Devotional Life? e.g. the Spiritual Disciplines Funnel What systems will you develop for Corporate Spiritual Disciplines? like Fasting

9. 7. Your church needs to properly Engage in this Battle Acknowledge the Adversary Accept Jesus’ Authority Put the full Armor on Take Aim TruthHumilityFaithPraise Ask the Holy Spirit Avoid Distractions Discuss the application for your new church.