By Dan Lentz

1. What is your preferred method of long-distance communication (phone, letter, e-mail, text, social media, or  other)?

Read Isaiah 29:9-16.

2. What dynamics and attitudes do you see in these verses regarding communication with the Lord?

3. What does it take to make your worship of the Lord go from mechanical to heartfelt?

4. What experiences do you try to incorporate into your life to help you stand before the Lord in wonder and amazement? (Examples might include mission trips or personal retreats.)

5. Why do you think people don’t experience the Lord’s glory more frequently?

6. Build a prayer puzzle by purchasing an inexpensive children’s puzzle with large puzzle pieces. Hand out one or more puzzle pieces to each member of the group. Ask group members to write a short prayer on the blank sides of their puzzle piece(s). If you have at least two puzzle pieces, focus one written prayer on a puzzle going on in your life (for example, “Lord, heal my chronic illness”). On the other piece, write a praise (for example, “Thank you for providing for me”). Once your prayers are written, assemble the puzzle as a group, then flip it over so the prayers are visible. Put it on display for the group to see. Ask a volunteer to close in prayer.

Dan Lentz works for the Small Group Network in Whitestown, Indiana.

For more small group ministry resources, visit www.smallgroups.com.