Keep Praying September 30-October 1th, 2017

SERIES: The Cost of Discipleship

SPEAKER: John Williamson (Timberlake/Downtown), Stephen Rabon (Altavista) STUDY GUIDE: Christopher Shafer

CONNECT (5-10 min)

Leaders Note:The purpose of this time is to help the members of the group grow in relationships with one another so all people in the group know they matter. Spend some time discovering what is happening in the lives of your group members.

GROW – Review the Message Summary (30-45 min)

Leaders Note:The goal of this section is to apply the truth of the message (not teach) so each participant is familiar with the message from Sunday morning. Good facilitators “share the leadership”. If your group has been meeting at least 8-12 weeks you should have an “apprentice”. This would be a good section for your apprentice to facilitate.

Read: Luke 18:1-8

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Notes…

The purpose of the parable (18:1)…That’s where we are going in the Word of God

The widow and the unjust judge (18:2-5)

  • The judge and widow represent opposite ends of the SOCIAL spectrum.
  • The judge didn’t FEAR God and had no COMPASSION (v.2)
  • A VULNERABLE widow asks for PROTECTION (v.3)
  • The judge initially REFUSED the widow (v.4a)
  • The judge finds REASON to defend the VULNERABLE (vv.4b-5)

God is a judge who will defend the vulnerable in His kingdom (18:6-8)

  • Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater to show us the CHARACTER of God. (vv.6-7a)
  • Jesus describes the DESPERATE nature of prayer for KINGDOM people (v.7b)
  • The widows request was LIMITED by her desperate need (v.8a)

Jesus’ bottom line: Will the faithful increase their faith through FAITHFULPRAYER? (v.8b)

Bottom Line:Persistent faith is possible where there is persistent prayer.

For those not yet living a Jesus-centered life

  • The STARTING prayer is a prayer of CONFESSION

For those living a Jesus-centered life

•Embrace the TENSION of persistent RELATIONAL prayer

•Let UNANSWERED prayer move you deeper into the HEART of God

•Pray BIGGER than your personal NEEDS

Discussion Questions

1.What did you think of this week’s sermon?

2.What came to your mind when you heard the first application point which said to, “Embrace the tension of persistent relational prayer”?

3.How do you normally respond when prayer in unanswered? And what does Jesus’ parable say to correct our thinking?

4.Why is it important to pray for things about God’s Kingdom rather than out simply day in and day out needs? How can our perspective on what is important change out views on what to pray for?

Pray as a group! Spend some time in scripture reminding each other of God’s promises and then run to Him in prayer! Pray for lost neighbors and family members. Pray for physical healings. Pray for harmony in our city and for His Kingdom come! Pray for the marriages of those in your group. Pray for our elders and pastoral staff. Pray for the marginalized in our town that need to experience the redemption that is found in Christ.