Date: June 30, 2024
Praying for Our Nation
The Point: God blesses those who humbly look to Him.
Get Into the Study
After discussing Question #1, call attention to The Point. Then share the following story.
Landen Mills lived with his mother in New Orleans until two years ago. Along with losing a classmate to gun violence at the age of thirteen, he was dealing with marijuana and alcohol and battling mental depression and loneliness, Landen and his mom made the decision for him to move to Vilonia, Arkansas to live with extended family.
Soon after he moved, a coach invited him to attend church at The Summit Church. He said, “I have always done things a lot on my own and I was tired of always getting the same results. I thought why not give it a shot and see if I can get something different.” Summit student minister, Carmen Lane, said Landen, a high school junior, was extremely closed and constantly pushed others away. In spite of his hesitancy, the church continued to invest in him, loved him, and share about Christ.
In the summer of 2023, Landen trusted Christ, was baptized and attended Super Summer, a youth camp at Ouachita Baptist University. Soon he was a familiar sight on the front row taking notes feverishly. Lane said Mills started what he called preaching on Instagram Live. “He just wants to tell people about Jesus,” she said.
In a video shared in church, Landen said, “God took me out of a mess, and He brought me into a place of joy I didn’t realize I needed…Jesus changed my life. I was going down a road of destruction, sin, and guiltiness. Jesus has given me a new identity and a future of hope and joy. No matter what hardships you face in life, I promise it’s the greatest thing that you’ll ever do.”
Say: Landen Mills is a beautiful illustration of what God can do when someone realizes that Jesus is the only answer to the turmoil of this world. Can you imagine what it would be like if a whole nation came to that understanding? In today’s study, we will see the promise God give His people when they turn their hearts toward Him. While 2 Chronicles is a message to the nation of Israel, today’s believers can claim the same promise.
New Orleans native finds redemption at Vilonia church – Arkansas Baptist News
Get Into the Study [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of an unusual pet. Then ask Question #1.
Get Into the Study [Option from the Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide]
For use with the optional idea in discussing the OPENING QUESTION in this session, you may wish to download a copy of your favorite recipe or instructions. For example, you can find instructions for a simple and healthy homemade ice cream recipe or for something like how to build a bookshelf.
Study the Bible [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of a time when people repented and returned to God. Ask the group to consider what that would look like in our day. Then close in prayer.
Live It Out
As a lead-in to the application ideas in Live It Out, share the following news.
This past spring, many college campuses across the nation were disrupted by protests over the war between Israel and Hamas. In some instances, the protests were described as not only anti-Isael, but anti-American as well. More than twenty-one hundred protesters were arrested during the protests.
The University of Florida, described by the Wall Street Journal as the number one public university in the country, experienced no such disruptions. President Ben Sasse, a noted scholar, and devout Christian explained that the University implemented a three-part approach to the protest movement:
1. The university made a distinction between speech and action. “Speech isn’t violence. Silence isn’t violence. Violence is violence.”
2. Leaders are to say what they mean and do what they say. The University acted by defending freedom of speech but enforcing penalties for crossing the line.
3. The university made a recommitment to real education, based on reason and inspiring intellects.
In commenting on President Sasse’s approach to the protest, Dr. Jim Dennison noted that University of Florida’s seal states, “In God We Trust,” while its motto in English reads, “The welfare of the state depends upon the morals of its citizens.” Dr. Dennison said the key is to base the latter (our country’s morals) on the former (our trust in God.)
Dennison stated, “Our ‘morals’ as fallen humans can be truly transformed only to the degree that we trust in the God who alone can change human hearts. When we submit every day to His Spirit and ask Him to make us more like our Savior, we then ‘shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life’.”
In one of his books, President Sasse said, “We’re to focus on wanting what God wants—may His name be hallowed, not mine; His will be advanced, not mine.”
Say: This November, voters will have the opportunity to decide the direction of our nation. There will be discussions, debates and even some disagreements, but true healing and the health of our nation and our culture will be found in the people of God living out the truths in today’s study.
One university’s three-part solution to anti-Israel protesters (denisonforum.org)
Lynn Riley is retired from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, where he served as a team member in the areas of evangelism and church health. He and his wife Cheryl live in Smyrna, TN, and are active members of Rolling Hills Community Church in Nolensville, TN. They are spending their retirement years serving their church and spoiling grandkids.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When’s the last time you had to backtrack to get to where you needed to go?
- What steps do you typically take when you realize you’re lost or offtrack?
- How does your family celebrate our nation’s birthday?
- What’s one of your favorite things about your country? Why?
- What animal or family pet’s character trait stands out to you? LP
- What’s a favorite family memory of a pet?
- What’s the most unusual family pet you’ve heard of?
2 Chronicles 7:1-3
- What’s the relationship between godly fear, humility, and worship?
- Why is humility an important element of prayer, worship, and repentance?
- What is the relationship between humility before God and worship of God?
- When in your life have you been moved toward deep worship because of something God has done?
- How is God’s glory seen today?
2 Chronicles 7:12-16
- How do we know that God is faithful to His promises?
- What are the characteristics of a humble person or a humble church family?
- What does it look like to turn to God and not self or others?
- Why was the temple such a meaningful place for the Hebrew people?
- What do these promises, warnings, and commands look like for followers of Jesus today?
- What is the relationship between repentance as individuals and receiving forgiveness as a nation?
- What does it look like for a person to “humble themselves”? What about a nation?
2 Chronicles 7:17-20
- What can we learn about the character of God in that He provided a warning?
- How have you seen or experienced the truth that God blesses those who faithfully follow Him?
- What are “other gods” people serve rather than follow God? How does that cause them to miss out on God’s blessings?
- How do these promises and warnings compel you to pray for our church and our nation?
- What does it mean for you to faithfully live in pursuit of God’s presence?
- What are the benefits of your faithfulness to God?
- How has God blessed you as you faithfully followed Him?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
The Reason God Wants to Bless Our Country

Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
Mature Living – A City on a Hill
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
So good! Thank you!
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary on what it means to be a Christian in America!
Thank you for saying we as Christian s only pray for the leaders the church supports. I’ve thought about this many times and have wondered why. Good commentary.