when god’s people pray · 2014-04-05 · undertake ministries without a sense of god’s...

SIX SESSION TEACHING PLANApril 13-May 25, 2014

When God’s People Pray

First Baptist Church of Norfolk exists to glorify God by winning and leading all the people within our reach to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Life Groups at First Baptist Norfolk exist to REACH people for Christ, TEACH them the Word of God, CARE for them in the name of Jesus, and SEND them out to serve where God leads them to use their gifts.

SIX SESSION TEACHING PLANApril 13-May 25, 2014

When God’s People Pray

Life Groups at First Baptist Norfolk exist to REACH people for Christ, TEACH them the Word of God, CARE for them in the name of Jesus, and SEND them out to serve where God leads them to use their gifts!

With that thought in mind, it is imperative that we are diligent in teaching the entirety of the Bible, not just selected texts where we are comfortable. For the teacher of God’s Word, this is one of the reasons we choose to utilize a curriculum – a prescribed plan for our teaching. With each of us being gifted in various ways, having differing personalities and preferences, it would be the habit of most teachers, without direction from the church, to teach in the area of the Bible where we feel we had the most Bible knowledge and are comfortable. We might even avoid difficult passages of scripture that requires greater study to feel prepared to teach or possibly there are places in our lives where we struggle with obedience and have no desire to teach on issues that confront and challenge how we are living.

Such is the curriculum you hold in your hands today. This is the second in a series of unique lessons designed for our church. With direction from our pastor, the decision was made to focus on Prayer in the life of our church. This is a discipline that is expected in the life of followers of Jesus. In the same way that Jesus said, “when you give” (Matthew 6:2), He also said, “when you pray” (Matthew 6:5). Let me be clear on this one point… God does not need our prayers. He is God and does not NEED anything from us. The truth is that He desires something for us. In this case, He desires the fellowship that we can share with Him in prayer.

Jesus said that we were to Love God first. A part of loving God is developing the discipline of spending time with him in solitude and prayer. It is in these special moments alone with God that we find peace that passes understanding, guidance, direction, hope, comfort and yes even conviction of sin. All of these and more, God provides through the experience of prayer. As LIFEgroup leaders, we need to help our group members explore the depths of God’s Word and learn from Him about how to grow in this area of our lives through prayer.

One final word… I pray that this study changes you- the teacher, as well as the group members in your Life Group. The very best teaching that ever happens is teaching that has first gripped the heart of the teacher…then teaching comes with great passion. As with every curriculum, it must be tailor fitted to the user. There will be supplemental resources available online at www.firstnorfolk.org as we begin this study. Remember, God’s Word is true. Challenge your groups to grow this quarter to become more like Jesus as they spend time with Him in prayer.

Expecting God to change lives,

Phillip HerringAssociate Pastor of Education

TEACHING PLANWHEN GOD’S PEOPLE PRAYAPRIL 13 - MAY 25, 2014

FIRST NORFOLKWHEN GOD’S PEOPLE PRAY

CONTENTS

WEEK 01 -- APRIL 13. A PRAYER OF EXALTATION .......................................................3God delights in prayer that displays His greatness.

WEEK 02 -- APRIL 27. A PRAYER OF FAITH .................................................................. 15God values and answers the prayer of faith.

WEEK 03 -- MAY 4. A PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS .................................................... 26God is eager to receive the prayers of the humble.

WEEK 04 -- MAY 11. A PRAYER OF PERSISTENCE ....................................................39God desires persistent and confident prayer from His people.

WEEK 05 -- MAY 18. A PRAYER FOR BOLDNESS ......................................................50God will act on prayers offered for the sake of the gospel.

WEEK 06 -- MAY 25. A PRAYER FOR US ......................................................................63Knowing that Jesus prays for us gives us confidence in prayer.

F I R S T N O R F O L KEXODUS 33:12-23 A PRAYER OF EXALTATION APRIL 13, 2014

P R E P A R A T I O N

> Spend the week reading through and studying Exodus 33:12-23. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation.

> Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your group.

> Pray for our pastors, the sermon series, the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their recep-tivity to the lesson.

H I G H L I G H T S

BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: Moses requests for the Lord to confirm in some way that His presence would be with Moses and the Israelites throughout their journeys.

TEACHING AIM: God delights in prayer that displays His greatness.

3 When God’s People Pray | First Norfolk

TEACHING PLAN APRIL 13, 2014

I N T R O D U C T I O N

As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going.

1 What famous person past or present would you most like to get to know better and why?

2 If the opportunity presented itself, how would you accomplish this?

3 Do you wish you knew God better? How could you know Him more deeply?

As our Father, God wants us to know Him intimately. He desires to continue teaching us about Himself, but in order to know God better we must desire to know Him and spend time in His presence. Prayer is a key to being in His presence, and we will spend several weeks discovering some of the great prayers of the Bible.

Moses is a great example of someone who sought to know God better and had times of intimate prayer with Him. While the Israelites worshiped an idol instead of God, Moses desired a deeper relationship with the one true God.

U N D E R S T A N D I N G Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about a particular topic.

The events recorded in Exodus 33 occurred shortly after the Israelites’ miraculous exodus from Egypt in which God sent 10 plagues on Egypt and parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could escape Pharaoh’s army. Moses then led the Israelites to Mount Sinai, where God gave them the Ten Commandments and many other laws (Ex. 16–31).

The incident in Exodus 32, however, interrupted the giving of God’s commands because the Israelites made a golden calf that



Moses destroyed, along with the tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments that God had just given him. At that time God judged the Israelites harshly, resulting in the immediate deaths of about three thousand people. Moses pleaded for forgiveness for the Israelites. The Lord sent a plague on them to complete His punishment for the idolatry. Moses then set up a tent of meeting outside the camp so that he could meet with the Lord (Ex. 33:1-11).

> Have a volunteer read Exodus 33:12-16.

Moses needed God’s presence to guide the Israelites to the promised land. So he asked God to clarify His relationship with him and to reveal more of His ways.

°° What was Moses’ single request of God in verses 12-13? What was his purpose for requesting this from God?

Moses wanted to make especially sure God’s presence would be with him each step of the way to Canaan. Moses then recalled God’s reassuring words that He knew Moses by name and that he had found favor in the Lord’s sight. Moses reminded himself of God’s calling in his life and the availability of God’s presence to fulfill the task. Like Moses, we need the Lord’s reassurance that we will not be alone as we seek to live on mission for God.

Often, as Christians, we want God’s presence and power but do not take time to get to know God and learn His ways.

°° Why would Moses have felt the need for God’s pres-ence? What previous events in his life might he have remembered as he sought the presence of God?

°° On a scale of 1 to 10, how insistent was Moses that God’s presence be evident? Do we desire that strongly for God’s presence to go with us throughout our days? Why or why not?



°° How literally had Moses believed God’s truths that he repeated back to God in verse 12?

To begin his special request, Moses alluded to the words the Lord previously had spoken to him at the incident of the burning bush (3:1-10). God had told Moses to lead the people, but God had not yet revealed whom He would send with Moses to assist him in the journey to Canaan. God had called Aaron to serve as Moses’ spokesperson before Pharaoh (4:14-16) but that was then. The challenge of leading the Israelites through the desert to Canaan was another matter entirely.

°° Do you think Moses’ faith in God’s Word gave him assurance that God would answer his request favor-ably? Why or why not?

°° If the Lord were to withdraw His presence from your life tomorrow, would you notice a difference? Would anything be different in First Norfolk if God were not here?



Moses was not afraid to ask God to demonstrate His presence among His people. He needed the assurance of God’s presence to lead him before he could lead the people. Often people in the church undertake ministries without a sense of God’s presence, approval, or blessing. All Christians who lead in the church should take Moses’ plea for God’s presence to heart. They can pray in a similar fashion that God will grant His presence for the tasks He has called them to do.

> Have a volunteer read Exodus 33:17-23.

°° What is the significance of the similarities in the words of verses 12 and 17?

°° What two reasons did God give for allowing His presence to go with Moses? Was it to Moses’ or to God’s credit that the request was granted?

God favorably answered Moses’ request. He promised that His presence would go with Moses as he led the people. He had found favor (or grace) in God’s sight. The Old Testament writers referred to both Noah and Moses as those who had found favor in God’s eyes. Because Moses was favored by God, he received the Lord’s grace to help him lead the people from Egypt. We too need God’s favor on our lives so we can continue living for and serving the Lord.

God had revealed His personal name Yahweh to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:15), but God also knew Moses’ name. God knows each of His children by name and stands ready to display His favor toward them.



°° God told Moses that he was favored in His sight. How have you experienced God’s favor on your life? Have you seen this reflected in your prayer life at all?

°° Why do you think Moses asked to see God’s glory?

Moses, confident because of God’s answer to his first request (Ex. 33:13), made a second request of the Lord. He asked God to let him see His glory. This word in other passages related to God often indicated God’s manifest presence. Perhaps Moses needed a greater assurance that God would keep the promise of His presence.

°° What types of requests do you tend to make in your prayer life when you need assurance of God’s presence?

°° What do God’s words in the second half of verse 19 tell us about His greatness and power?

°° What is the significance of the hand of God, the back of God, and the face of God in this passage?

The Lord told Moses that when His glory passes by the rock, He would cover Moses with His hand. In this way the Father protected Moses from the infinite strength of His presence so that Moses would see the Lord’s back but not His face. Both back and face are metaphorical, so the idea is that Moses did not and could not expe-rience God’s full presence (His face) but only the afterglow—God’s manifested presence (His back).



°° In what ways do we have the opportunity to see or experience God’s glory without seeing His face?

When they read the Word, Christians can experience God’s presence as He speaks to them. When an unbeliever receives Christ and is changed by His power, Christians witness God’s presence in the world. When a Christian reaches out to someone in love, God’s presence becomes visible in the world. None of these examples fully represent God’s presence that we will experience in eternity, but they are snapshots of His grace and glory.

A P P L I C A T I O N Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives.

1 If God allowed you to see His goodness, what things do you imagine you would see and experience?

2 Moses had a special encounter with God. Reflect on a special encounter with God you have experienced and explain how it changed the way you think about God.

3 What things keep people from really getting to know God? What is keeping you from being as close to God as possible?

4 In what ways can you better know the Father this week?



P R A Y

Close in prayer. Offer a few moments of silent prayer for group members to praise God for His glory, His goodness, and allowing us to see even a glimpse of that glory. Pray that we would be faithful to seek God’s glory in our lives, and that we would pray boldly for God’s greatness to be shown through our lives.

R E M I N D E R S

Remind all to pray for God’s presence to be made known next week during all weekend worship gatherings to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call on group members to pray by name for those they are seeking to bring with them on Easter.

Also remind all to invite friends to visit your LIFEgroup for Open House on Sunday April 27. Lead them to pray by name for those they will seek to bring with them in two weeks to experience this LIFEgroup.



F O L L O W U P Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following information:

> Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week:

°° How have you seen God’s glory this week? Pray that God’s presence would guide you daily.

°° In what ways are you seeking to know the Father better this week?

> A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering.

> The challenge to memorize Exodus 33:17.

> Next Sunday is Easter Sunday. We will gather only for morning worship opportunities at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 and 12:30. LIFEgroups will resume on Sunday April 27.


COMMENTARY APRIL 13, 2014

Notes:

E X O D U S 3 3 : 1 2 - 2 3

33:12. To begin his special request , Moses alluded to the words the Lord previously had spoken to him at the incident of the burning bush (3:10). God had told Moses to lead this people up, but God had not yet revealed whom He would send with Moses to assist him in the journey to Canaan. God had called Aaron to serve as Moses’ spokesperson before Pharaoh (4:14-16) but that was then. The challenge of leading the Israelites through the desert to Canaan was another matter entirely. God earlier told Moses that He would send an angel to go before him (33:2). Apparently Moses was expecting, in addition to the angel, a human person to be at his side. But whatever person Moses thought God had in mind now to assist him in the journey, Moses also wanted to make especially sure God’s presence would be with him each step of the way to Canaan. Moses then recalled God’s reassuring words that He knew Moses by name and that he had found favor in the Lord’s sight. Anyone who seeks to serve the Lord likely feels inadequate for the task. The same was true of Moses. Moses needed the Lord’s reassurance that he would not be alone as he fulfilled the mission God had for him. So Moses reminded himself of God’s calling in his life and the availability of God’s presence to fulfill the task.

33:13. Moses also wanted God to teach him His ways so he could continue to lead God’s people successfully. Moses’ request was not for his own glory but for God’s glory among His people. Moses’ prayer shows that he had in mind the big picture. He wanted God to bless him because the nation of Israel was His people. Those who seek God’s presence for their benefit alone only do so selfishly and not for God’s kingdom.

33:14. God assured Moses that His presence would go with him and that He would give His people rest. The word translated rest in the Hebrew language means “quietness” or “absence of strife.” Also, it sometimes referred to the satisfaction that came from one’s table. God’s presence that brought rest included both peace and provision for those who would enter the promised land.

33:15. Even after hearing God’s promise, Moses responded by letting the Lord know he could not lead the people without His presence. And even though Moses had yet to encounter all the difficulties that lay ahead for him and the Israelites, he knew that leading the people was a task too great for him to do alone. Moses committed himself to walk with God rather than against Him. Leaders today who depend on God’s presence can lead His people effectively. Churches that depend on God’s presence serve God victoriously because His strength, wisdom, and guidance are with them.

33:16. Moses recognized that the Lord’s presence was the defining mark of this nation of former slaves. The Israelites would be distinguished from every other nation on earth because of their commitment to the Lord and His presence with them. God’s presence to lead and guide the



Notes:

Israelites would serve as a testimony to the nations of the one true God and His mighty power. Israel’s distinction among nations did not elevate them above those nations. Rather, it gave the Israelites an opportunity to testify to those nations about the one true God. Moses was not afraid to ask God to demonstrate His presence among His people. He needed the assurance of God’s presence to lead him before he could lead the people.

33:17. God favorably answered Moses’ request. He promised that His presence would go with Moses as he led the people. He had found favor (or grace) in God’s sight. The Old Testament writers referred to both Noah and Moses as those who had found favor in God’s eyes. Because Moses was favored by God, he received the Lord’s grace to help him lead the people from Egypt. We too need God’s favor on our lives so we can continue living for and serving the Lord. God said He also knew Moses by name. God was not too busy to take notice of Moses or to become involved in his affairs. God had revealed his personal name Yahweh to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:15), but God also knew Moses’ name. He knows yours too. God knows each of His children by name and stands ready to display His favor toward them.

33:18. Moses, confident because of God’s answer to his first request (Ex. 33:13), made a second request of the Lord. He asked God to let him see His glory. This word in other passages related to God oft en indicated God’s manifest presence. Moses had first prayed that God’s presence would be with him, but then he prayed that God would allow him to see His visible glory. Perhaps Moses needed a greater assurance that God would keep the promise of His presence.

33:19. God once again answered Moses’ request in the affirmative. Moses had made two bold requests, and God answered his bold prayers. God promised that His goodness would pass in front of Moses. The goodness of God in this verse appears to be a synonym for God’s presence or His glory. While passing by Moses, God also promised to proclaim the name Yahweh before him. This would reaffirm Moses’ call received at the burning bush. He had first learned God’s name there, but he would encounter that name once again, this time in another visible manifestation of God’s presence. God also said to Moses, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. In other words, God’s grace and compassion are His alone to give to whomever He wishes. Upon hearing these words, Moses and Israel (and Christians today) could only marvel and give thanks that the sovereign God had chosen them as objects for divine mercy. No doubt Moses now felt great reassurance that God, who had decided to be gracious to him, would be with him all the way to the promised land.

33:20. God placed one restriction on Moses. Moses could not see God’s face because no person can see God and live. Obviously Moses could not have handled the fully manifested presence of God’s glory, so God shielded Moses from seeing His essence.



Notes:

33:21-22. God placed Moses in the crevice of a rock when He passed by. God also covered Moses with His hand so he would not see God’s face. Obviously God is not limited to a personal body like that of a human, but God manifested Himself to Moses in terms he would understand. God’s hiding of Moses was yet another way Moses experienced God’s grace.

33:23. When God passed by the rock, He promised to remove His hand, allowing Moses a glimpse of His back. Evidently the glory of God was so great that Moses could only see its after-effects. Probably all Christians would like to experience God’s presence as Moses did, but believers today get to know God and experience His presence by spending time with Him praying, reading the Bible, and worshiping Him in church. Hopefully we know God better than we once did, but we also do not know Him as we will one day when we bow in His presence to offer praise to our great God.


F I R S T N O R F O L K1 KINGS 18 A PRAYER OF FAITH APRIL 27, 2014


> Spend the week reading through and studying 1 Kings 18. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation.



H I G H L I G H T S

BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: On Mount Carmel, Elijah proposed a contest between the Lord God and Baal. Identical sacrifices would be prepared and the deity who would send fire to consume his sacri-fice would show Israel whom to worship. The prophets of Baal tried all day to coax their god to send fire, but nothing happened. After Elijah offered a simple prayer of faith, God responded with fire. The people recognized God’s reality and power and put to death the prophets of Baal.

TEACHING AIM: God values and answers the prayer of faith.





1 Did you or anyone in your family convert to Christianity from another religion? Describe that experience and who influenced you. If not, how did you first encounter Christ?

2 Other than Christianity, what religions or spiritual belief systems are prevalent in Norfolk? In the United States?

3 What situations make people seek spiritual answers in life? What does that reveal about humanity?

The focus of today’s study is on a particular moment in the prophet Elijah’s ministry. His prophetic role constantly placed Elijah in opposition to the majority of the people of his nation. Their toleration of polytheism—the worship of many gods—was the ongoing reason for Elijah’s prophetic denunciations. The people of Israel needed to be reminded of the need for faith that their God was the one true God.


Elijah was a resident of Tishbe in Gilead when he received “a revelation from the Lord” (17:2). He became active as the Lord’s prophet in confronting Ahab, the king of Israel. King Ahab was sympathetic to Baal worship in part because his wife, Jezebel, was a devoted follower of Baal. In such an environment, the people increasingly mixed Baal worship with their worship of the Lord and the Lord’s prophets went into hiding in fear of their lives (see 18:13). In an act of bold faith, Elijah determined to challenge the king and people to decide once and for all whom they would serve—either the Lord or Baal.



> Have a volunteer read 1 Kings 18:16-21.

Ahab did exactly what Elijah asked. He sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Perhaps Ahab hoped some might take out their anger against the Lord for the drought on Elijah, killing him and eliminating Ahab’s enemy. More likely, since Elijah’s prophecy concerning the drought had come true, Ahab feared not doing what Elijah asked.

°° What was the need for prophets such as Elijah who were called by God to confront the king?

°° What was Elijah’s charge against the people? Why did the people need to decide whether the Lord or Baal was God?

°° Why don’t the people say anything in response to Elijah (v. 21)? What attitudes could account for their silence?

Addressing the Israelites, Elijah accused them of indecisiveness. Rather than choosing to serve God or Baal, they wavered between the two. The presence of Ahab and the prophets of Baal might have frightened others into silence. Whatever the reason, when challenged to choose, the people refused.

°° Hesitating between two opinions is often a convenient way of delaying our submission to God. In what ways might our hesitation to give God our worship alert us to hidden idolatries in our life?



°° Read aloud Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13. Have you ever tried to serve two masters? What was it like?

°° What does serving a master other than God feel like? How does it affect your faith? What are some ways we attempt to serve God and other things?

Every person faces a challenge similar to the one Elijah presented on that day. Will we choose God to be Lord of our lives or will we be content to rely on our own abilities and resources? When we accept Christ as Savior, we still face daily choices of whether to seek and follow the Lord’s guidance and to rely on His strength.


Elijah proposed a contest between Baal and God. Neither the prophets of Baal nor Elijah, however, would set fire to the sacrifice. The deity who heard the prayer of his people and responded by sending fire to consume the sacrifice would demonstrate his power and win the contest.

°° What do you learn about Elijah from these verses?

°° What message was God sending to the people that day on Mount Carmel?

Before the Lord sent rain on the parched land, He wanted to demonstrate that He, not Baal, controlled the weather and sustained His people. Had the rain come without such a contest, Ahab, Jezebel, and many others would have claimed Baal finally had responded to their prayers and ended the drought the Lord had sent. For them, Baal would have proved to be the ultimate power. All Israel needed to understand Baal was not a real god and thus had no power.



°° What are some examples of situations that may require you to stand for the Lord against opposition? What prepares you to take a courageous stand? What promises are given to the believer?

We need the same kind of faith Elijah demonstrated to stand for God when facing opposition. Elijah invited the many prophets of Baal to go first. He gave them their choice of the bulls, allowing them to select the one they believed Baal would accept. He instructed them to prepare the bull and call on Baal, but not to light the fire. Having chosen and prepared their bull, the prophets of Baal began to call on Baal to send fire and consume the sacrifice. They prayed from morning till noon but received no response. At noon Elijah taunted the prophets of Baal and their god. Elijah’s words sound harsh, but he intended to use every available weapon to prove Baal did not exist and could not help his followers.

°° Name some of the powerless gods people worship today. These “gods” tempt us to depend on something other than God. Where do these idols leave us in times of crisis?


Following the failure of Baal to respond, Elijah invited the people to come near him. He repaired an altar to the Lord that once had stood on Mount Carmel but had fallen into ruins. When Elijah completed his preparations, he offered a simple, sincere prayer.

°° What is significant to you about Elijah’s prayer?

°° Why was Elijah asking God for a miracle? In your opinion, does God still do miracles today? Explain.



°° How important was Elijah’s faith in asking God to act against Baal?

Elijah did not seek personal fame or justification. He wanted Israel to know the Lord still participated actively in their daily lives by providing guidance through His prophets. Elijah finally asked God to answer his prayer so the Israelites would know that the Lord is God. The people had been content to waver between commitment to Baal and the Lord God. Elijah wanted the Lord to demonstrate His power so the people would clearly see, turn from their sin, and follow the Lord.

°° In what ways does the God-glorifying purpose of Elijah’s prayer life influence the way we pray for God to work? Are you willing to entrust your reputation to God if it will bring Him greater glory?

°° What are some examples of negative motives believers might have in asking for a miracle today, in contrast to Elijah’s motive?

Elijah shared God’s concern for the people of Israel. Their disobe-dience grieved the Lord, and the purpose of the drought and the contest was to turn the people’s hearts back to the Lord. God and His servants take no pleasure in the suffering and punishment of others. God answered Elijah dramatically. God sent fire from the sky that consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stone altar, the dirt, and the water filling the trench. The bull offered to Baal still lay atop the wood, undoubtedly with flies swarming around the carcass. Nothing remained of the offering for God. He had claimed it totally demon-strating the power God and the power of prayers of faith.

°° Look again at verse 39. What stands out to you about the people’s response to Elijah’s miracle? What do they affirm about God? What had changed between this verse and verse 21?



°° Think back on your spiritual journey. What is one moment that stands out to you when you proclaimed with confidence, “The Lord, He is God”?

While God’s dramatic response to Elijah’s prayer may seem the climax of the contest, the actual climax occurred when the people responded by recognizing God’s sovereignty. Seeing the fire and its effects, the people ceased their wavering. They fell prostrate in God’s presence and confessed, “The Lord, He is God.”

A P P L I C A T I O N

Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives.

1 In this story, God clearly showed Himself as the Higher Power. What is your biggest struggle in submitting yourself fully to God in faith? What are some ways we can keep our hearts from drifting toward other “gods”?

2 This text reminds us that there is no middle ground in our relationship with God. We are either living for Him in faith, or we are not. What stuff in your life tends to pull your attention away from God most easily? How can you counteract that tendency?

3 What convinces you that God is more powerful than anything else? How does your prayer life reflect this belief?

4 Where do you need strength right now to trust God in faith? How can our group help?



P R A Y

Invite the people in your group to express prayer concerns. Pray for the concerns mentioned. Ask that God will grant wisdom and strength to trust Him against overwhelming odds. Pray for Christians who face strong opposition and threats because of their faith in God. Pray that ours would be true prayers of faith.





°° Can you rely on God to do what He promised? In what ways you feel weak in your faith?

°° How can our group be praying for you this week?


> The challenge to memorize 1 Kings 18:37-39.

> The text for next week’s study, so group members can read it in anticipation of next weekend: 2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51.



Notes:

1 K I N G S 1 8

In an effort to call the people of Israel back to the Lord, Elijah boldly challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. After vanquishing the prophets of Baal, Elijah learned that Queen Jezebel had put a price on his head. The prophet fled south to the wilderness, where the Lord encouraged and instructed him concerning his ministry.

18:16-19. When the two men meet, Ahab calls Elijah the “troubler of Israel,” blaming the drought on him, but he does not attempt immediately to have him killed. Elijah returns the accusation, stating fearlessly that Ahab’s family’s commitment to Baal has forced Yahweh to withhold rain, thus proving the Lord’s power over the storm god. Now Elijah suggests a contest to determine who benefits Israel and who troubles the land. The site will be Mount Carmel, a place that may have long held significance for both worshipers of Yahweh and adherents of Baalism. What better place to decide who is God, what prophets tell the truth, and what leaders benefit or harm the people?

18:20-21. Ahab apparently is satisfied with the odds and expects this to be an excellent way to rid himself of this troublesome prophet and separatistic Yahwism at the same time. So Ahab obliges Elijah by sending for the people and the prophets. They wait to see who will win and who can help them the most. Will it be Baal or Yahweh? The prophet challenges the people to stop limping between two opinions—to decide who is God and then act on that decision. The people are noncommittal at best. They

“limp” along without conviction, wanting to follow halfheartedly one god and then the other.

18:22-25. Only Elijah and, ironically, the prophets of Baal have any conviction. Both Elijah and his counterparts believe their god to be the solution to Israel’s problems. Elijah is supremely confident that there is no god but Yahweh. His experiences in Phoenicia have confirmed to him this truth. Despite what some scholars argue, Elijah does not accept the existence of many gods, thinking only that Yahweh is the strongest. Elijah wants to eliminate Baal from consideration whenever Israel decides theological matters. To achieve this goal Elijah suggests a contest. He says that a sacrifice should be offered and that the real God must come take it by fire. The people like this contest, and the text does not indicate the Baalists object at all. Again, at least the prophets of Baal do not lack conviction. As storm god Baal was thought to be responsible for lightning as well as rain, it ought to have been an easy contest.

18:26-29. Baal’s prophets attempt to rouse him from the dead. They shout, but no one responds. Next, they “dance” or “limp” around the altar, again trying to get the god’s attention. This ritual dance also gets no response. At noon Elijah begins to taunt them, suggesting Baal is preoccupied in some manner. Desperate now, their authority at stake, the Baalists cut themselves and practice frenzied prophesying, not unlike self-hypnosis.



Notes:

Though they try for hours, the text says as explicitly as it can that their god is unable to answer because he is not real.

18:30-39. Very dramatically, Elijah rebuilds the altar now damaged by the frantic Baalistic rites. He then soaks it with water to remove any doubt about the miracle that will soon occur. When he prays for the fire to fall, he asks the Lord to remind the people that he is the covenant God of Israel. Without Yahweh there would be no Israel. Elijah also prays that he will be vindicated as the prophet of the covenant God. Finally, he asks that the people know Yahweh is God and that they have the opportunity to repent at once. This prayer incorporates concern, then, for God’s reputation, the validity of the prophet’s work, and for the people’s well-being. Fire falls without delay. It consumes the altar and the sacrifice. In the immediacy of the moment, with fear in their hearts, the people confess, “The Lord is God!” They see no validity in any of Baal’s claims at this point and have become, temporarily at least, strict Yahwistic monotheists. Thus, Elijah has taken the first step in showing the people who is God.

Word Study: Know (1 Kings 18:37)When Elijah prayed to God, he expressed his desire that God’s response to his prayer would cause the people of Israel to know God. We often use “know” to indicate an awareness of facts about a subject or someone. Elijah used “know” to indicate a relationship. According to the Bible, the greatest knowledge we can pursue is knowledge of God (Prov. 9:10). God desires us to know Him personally (Jer. 31:34); marriage illustrates the depth of that knowledge and relationship (Hos. 2:19-20). God knows us by our actions (1 Sam. 2:3) and our hearts (Acts 15:8). The Lord helps His people know Him by acting on their behalf (Ex. 6:7; 16:12). Through His involvement in our lives, we come to know His nature and trust ourselves to Him.


F I R S T N O R F O L K2 SAMUEL 11-12; PSALM 51 A PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS MAY 4, 2014


> Spend the week reading through and studying 2 Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 51. Consult the commentary provided and any addi-tional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation.



H I G H L I G H T S

BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: In 2 Samuel 11 and 12, David sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband killed in battle in an attempt to cover up his adultery. After having his sin revealed to him, David repented and soon thereafter wrote Psalm 51 to express his desire for restoration.

TEACHING AIM: God is eager to receive the prayers of the humble.


TEACHING PLAN MAY 04, 2014



1 How would you define sin? What is the difference between being tempted and sinning?

2 When we sin, who are some of the people who are likely to be hurt? Why do we still sometimes choose to sin, knowing the pain inflicted on others?

3 Come up with a general list of consequences from sinning. How do these consequences differ from the life God wants us to live in Him?

Sin is real, and it’s something we face countless times every day. But as demonstrated in David’s life, God’s forgiveness and grace has the power to break our patterns of sin and restore us to a right relationship with Him.


> Have a volunteer read 2 Samuel 11:1-13.

At the start of spring, David sent Joab and his troops to fight the Ammonites while he remained behind in Jerusalem.

°° What three issues tempted David in verses 1-13? How could he have acted in the face of each temptation?



°° Why does God allow us to be tempted? What power do we have to resist temptation? Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 for insight.

David was tempted by: 1) a beautiful woman, 2) the desire to keep their encounter secret, and 3) fear of retaliation from Uriah. We, like David, face many temptations, yet we always have the choice to give in to the temptation or resist it. The Bible doesn’t go into detail about Bathsheba’s role in the affair, but the word choice in the story indicates she was bathing for a ritual cleansing. Rather than flaunting her beauty, as is often assumed, she was actually preparing for worship.

°° What does that show about David’s actions? Who was affected by David’s sin, both directly and indirectly?

°° Read 2 Samuel 23:8,39. Who was Uriah the Hittite?

°° Describe David’s first cover-up attempt (vv. 6-13). Why didn’t it work? Who was affected by David’s plot to make Uriah appear to be the father of Bathsheba’s child?

David tried to cover his sin, making it worse. He hatched a plan to have Uriah come home from war, sleep with his wife, and think that he was the father of David’s child (11:6-13). David’s plan would have worked except for one thing—Uriah was so loyal to his job as a soldier in David’s army that he would not sleep with his wife when he returned because it would have been unfair to the other soldiers in the field.




°° Describe David’s second cover-up attempt (vv. 14-25). What were the results?

This time David wrote Uriah’s death warrant, commanding Joab to put Uriah on the front line of battle. Uriah was killed, and David married Bathsheba (11:14-27). Temptation again hit him without his refusing it. He murdered one of his better soldiers to cover his own sin.

°° Read 2 Samuel 11:25-27 again. What does David’s response to Uriah’s death reveal about his spiritual state at that time?

°° How did God feel about what David had done? Why is our sin always ultimately against God?

Psalm 41:4, a psalm of David, encourages us to realize God’s knowledge of our sin. Temptation can be deceptive, and even the most committed Christians are vulnerable to the progression of sin as they yield to temptation. But God is proactive in convicting us of our sin and bringing us back to Himself. This process often involves the intervention of a fellow brother or sister in Christ, which was the task God gave the prophet Nathan in David’s situation.


To confront his sin, the Lord sent Nathan the prophet. Nathan told David a parable of two men who had livestock. One man was rich and had plenty of sheep and cattle. The second man had only one small ewe lamb, a family pet that “drank from his cup” and “slept in his arms” (v. 3). When a traveler visited the rich man, the rich man killed the poor man’s one lamb and served it to his guest.



°° Why do you think Nathan used a parable to confront David? What was the meaning of the parable? How did David react to it (vv. 5-6)? Refer to the commen-tary to fill in the details.

°° How would you have felt in Nathan’s position, bearing the responsibility of confronting the king? Have you ever had a similar responsibility in someone’s life?

°° How do you think David felt when he suddenly was accused of sin by Nathan (vv. 7-12)? How do you feel when you your sin is exposed?

The parable was intended to evoke David’s reaction and move him toward confession and forgiveness. According to verses 5-6 and 13, it worked. David confessed his sin to God and was moved to repentance after Nathan brought him face to face with his sins and their consequences.

°° What is repentance and how does it affect our relationship to God?

°° According to verses 10-14, what would be the consequences for David’s sins? Did David’s repentance have any affect on his sin’s consequences?

God’s leader had committed a very public sin, a fact that contrib-uted to God’s verdict: “the son born to you will die,” the first of many disasters the royal family would face. God wouldn’t allow this child—a reminder of David’s adultery and murder—to live. We too need to confess our sins to the Lord. By doing so we become more sensitive to the ways we rebel against Him and hurt others and ourselves. We also experience in a far greater way His mercy and cleansing power. Once we have confessed and experienced for-giveness, we then need to recommit ourselves to faithful obedience.



David recorded his repentance in Psalm 51, expressing his desire to be restored to the Lord.

> Have a volunteer read Psalm 51.

°° What does a repentant person long for?

°° In the Psalm, did David try to hide any of his sin from God? Do repentant people hide their sins from God?

°° In what ways did David’s prayer illustrate humility?

David felt the weight of his sin and did the only thing possible: He appealed to God to show His mercy and love, and to forgive him. David was a king and did not have to beg anyone for anything until he realized the gravity of his sin. David longed to be right with God again and did not hide his sins any longer. Hiding sins seems illog-ical from the outside because God knows everything, but we still try to pretend that we are not sinners even when we talk with God.

°° Was David’s repentance about his actions or his heart? What is the difference?

°° Why is it important for restoration to start with the heart and not to start by changing actions?

°° In verse 13, how did restoration change the way that David saw other people?

David’s repentance started with his heart and his inward being. Merely correcting actions is legalism and does not solve the problem.



The only way to deal with sin is through the transformation of the heart. In the end, David no longer saw people as a way to get what he wanted. Instead he longed to share God’s ways with others.


1 How does David’s story remind us of the importance of confession and forgiveness?

2 How should we treat others as a result of the freedom and forgiveness God has shared with us?

3 We all need someone like Nathan in our lives, who cares enough to speak truthfully with us. Who has acted as a “Nathan” in your life? Who has God called you to be a “Nathan” for?

4 What needs to change for us to demonstrate true humility in our prayer life? What makes this so difficult for us?

5 How can our group be a place where we can confess sin to one another and remind one another of God’s repentance? What steps do we need to take in order to be a confessing group?



P R A Y

Close with prayer, inviting God to help your group members recognize His willingness to forgive and their need to ask His for-giveness. Thank God that He does not hold sins against us but that He is faithful and just to forgive. Pray that the group would be known for their confession and repentance and that as a church, First Norfolk would honor God by the content of their hearts. F O L L O W U P

Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following information:


°° Is your story similar to David’s in any way? As you read these biblical truths, what specific sins are you aware of in your life now?

°° How have you found freedom in forgiveness? How can you seek to be a better example for other Christians and unbelievers?


> The challenge to memorize Psalm 51:1-2.

> The text for next week’s study, so group members can read it in anticipation of next weekend: Luke 18:1-8.


COMMENTARY MAY 04, 2014

Notes:

2 S A M U E L 1 1 - 1 2

11:1. David earlier had defeated the Ammonites (2 Sam. 10:6-14), but had not eliminated the threat they posed. Under Joab, David sent the king’s men (and the whole Israelite army to crush the Ammonites. The Israelites quickly defeated the Ammonites in battle and besieged Rabbah, their capital city. Some Bible students suggest David no longer wished to go into battle, preferring the luxurious life of the royal court. More likely, Joab and his troops insisted David remain in Jerusalem.

11:2-3. The roof of the palace was probably on the highest ground, providing the king a commanding view of Jerusalem. He saw a woman bathing ( “washing”); the text does not suggest she did so intentionally to lure David into an encounter. David discovered the woman’s identity—she was Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam (one of David’s elite warriors; 23:34) and the wife of Uriah the Hittite (another of David’s elite soldiers; 23:39). At any rate, her married status rendered her off-limits to the king.

11:4. David . . . slept with her—meaning he had intercourse with her. The narrative is silent about Bathsheba’s feelings about coming to the palace and submitting to the king’s wishes. Apparently the intent of the biblical writer was to place ultimate blame where it belonged—with Israel’s king.

11:5-8. The news of Bathsheba’s pregnancy presented special problems for the king because her husband Uriah had been away fighting the Ammonites and thus could not be the father of the child. David sent orders to Joab without revealing the reason he was summoning Uriah. The words of the king to Uriah, wash your feet, suggested a time of gentle relaxing at Uriah’s house, where Bathsheba might arrange an evening with her husband to make it appear that he was the baby’s father.

11:14. When David’s plan failed, he devised a new strategy. Uriah’s actions made a cover-up impossible, so the king decided to eliminate Uriah. David wrote a letter to Joab to send with Uriah. Uriah probably assumed the letter bore instructions about the siege. A loyal soldier of his general and king, he did not break the seal of the letter to read it. Uriah’s obedience to his king contrasted sharply with David’s disobedience to the King of kings.

11:15-16. David’s initial sin drew him into a series of more desperate actions. He devised a plan to make Uriah’s death look like a terrible tragedy of war. David’s letter instructed Joab to place Uriah in the front line where the fighting would be fiercest and then withdraw from him so he would be struck down and die. Joab had to attack the strongly fortified city and ensure Uriah’s death while seeking to minimize his losses. Uriah never knew or suspected he carried his own death sentence. Uriah became a casualty of war.

11:26. The text’s description of Bathsheba only as Uriah’s wife is probably intentional to accent David’s sin. She mourned for Uriah, probably putting



Notes:

on mourner’s clothes (Jer. 6:26), throwing dirt or ashes on her head (2 Sam. 1:2), sitting in the dirt (Isa. 47:1), fasting (1 Sam. 31:13), and weeping.

11:27. The time of mourning is not given. Israel mourned Moses for 30 days (Duet. 34:8), but Uriah’s mourning probably was not that long. David then brought Bathsheba to his house, and soon she bore him a son.

12:1. Nathan did not act on his own initiative, but in obedience to the Lord’s command. Nathan began by telling a parable about a rich man who stole a poor man’s lone pet lamb and cooked the lamb for a meal.

12:2. Like an attorney, Nathan laid out his case to the king. The villain of the parable was introduced simply as a rich man. The man’s wealth did not make the man evil. Rather his affluence provided the evidence that revealed his action to be in the wrong. The rich man possessed an ample supply from which he could have selected an animal to slaughter for the meal.

12:3. In stark contrast to the abundance of the villain, the victim was poor and had only one lamb. This animal was not intended to become food because it was the family pet. The man fed the lamb from his own food. His children played with it. Indeed, it was treated like a daughter.

12:4 Nathan brought his parable to dramatic climax by contrasting two possible choices that the rich man could have made. A traveler visited him. The rich man’s responsibility would have been the same regardless of the traveler’s social or political status. As the traveler’s host, the rich man was expected to provide his guest with a bountiful meal. He refused to sacrifice any of his animals, so he stole and slaughtered the poor man’s pet.

12:5 David’s first reaction to Nathan’s parable was personal. The harm the rich man did to the poor man and his family aroused David’s sympathy and ire. His rage over the rich man’s wicked actions exploded in absolute condemnation.

12:6. David’s second reaction was official. As king he issued judgments in accordance with Mosaic law. Exodus 22:1 gives clear sentencing guidelines for such a case as this. It specified four sheep be given to the poor man in compensation for his loss. Stealing was not a capital offense. Instead of the death penalty, the law required restitution. Thus David’s death decree was more emotional than biblical. In fact, since the punishment did not fit the crime, it did not equate to justice.

12:7. In neither reaction did David give evidence of understanding the parable’s purpose, so Nathan boldly personalized it for him. With his powerful words, You are the man, the prophet drove home the application of the parable. The parable laid a foundation for what was to come; the words This is what the Lord God of Israel says then introduced God’s indictment against the wayward king. The Lord then



Notes:

began to describe all He had done for David, beginning with giving him the kingship and delivering him from the hand of Saul.

12:8-12. The phrase I would have given you even more demonstrated the Lord’s willingness to go even further with David’s blessing if the king had only asked. David had not merely neglected the command of the Lord; he had despised it with his grievous actions. David’s own family would be the instruments of God’s judgment. The words I will take your wives and give them to another were fulfilled by David’s son Absalom when Absalom tried to usurp the kingship (16:20-22). David’s sinful actions perverted his relationship with God, ravaged the lives of two loyal subjects—one a devoted soldier—and consigned David’s family to future devastation.

12:13. David’s response—I have sinned—contrasts sharply with that of Saul when Samuel confronted him over his sin (1 Sam. 15:15,20-21). Saul gave excuse after excuse, but David’s heart (1 Sam. 13:14) would not let him do so. Nathan assured the king that his life would be spared.

12:14. The language of this verse is difficult and has been rendered different ways. The words you treated the Lord with ... contempt emphasize David’s careless treatment of God’s commands (v. 9). Other manuscripts read, “You have caused the Lord’s enemies to blaspheme,” meaning the enemies of God treated Him with disdain because they had seen the hypocrisy of His chosen leader. In either case, God’s leader had committed a very public sin, a fact that contributed to God’s verdict: the son born to you will die. God would not allow this child—a reminder of David’s adultery and murder—to live.

P S A L M 5 1

51:1. David immediately asked the Lord to be gracious to him. He realized God’s grace was his only hope for restoration. The Hebrew word translated faithful love elsewhere means “faithfulness,” “mercy,” “loyalty,”

“kindness,” and more. Here it denotes the special love that characterized God’s covenant with Israel and His covenant with David.

51:2. The word wash signifies a deep scrubbing or cleaning one might perform on a dirty garment (Lev. 11:25,28). Guilt describes David’s condition of obligation before God. Cleanse also can mean “purify” and speaks of David’s desire for purity before God (Jer. 33:8). He wanted both forgiveness for his sin and an internal cleansing that truly would provide him a fresh start. The word sin literally describes “falling short” or

“missing the mark” (Judg. 20:16, “miss”). David had fallen far short of God’s expectations for his life. Rather than avoiding the issue or attempting to shift blame, David took responsibility for his sins, confessed them to God, and asked for forgiveness.



Notes:

51:3. The Hebrew term for I am conscious of literally means “I know” and reveals David’s full awareness of his situation. Rebellion renders the same Hebrew word as in verse 1. Perhaps David repeated the word to emphasize to himself how far he had fallen and to emphasize to God the depth of his anguish. His admission my sin is always before me highlights how David could not escape his thoughts.

51:4. We should not understand David’s words against You—You alone—I have sinned as meaning he had not wronged Uriah, Bathsheba, or anyone else. But David knew that first and foremost, he had sinned against the Lord. The word right also can mean “just” in a legal sense. God acted with perfect justice when He sent Nathan the prophet to condemn David’s sin. The Hebrew word translated blameless literally means “clear,”

“clean,” or “pure” and stresses God’s impartial judgment.

51:5. David’s deepest problem lay deep within him. He affirmed it with the words I was guilty when I was born. The word translated guilty appeared earlier in verse 2 (“guilt”). Indeed, David was already sinful in the day his mother conceived him. He was born with a sinful nature, and that nature then gave birth to sinful actions—terribly sinful actions.

51:6. David already had affirmed his inner sinfulness of heart (v. 5). He knew God wanted to change him from within, not merely externally. When David’s heart was right, righteous actions would follow (Matt. 12:34). David also affirmed that the Lord wanted to teach (literally, “cause to know”) David wisdom deep within. Biblical wisdom is God’s gift, and David’s turning to God in reverent fear was the beginning of a life change for him.

51:7. David asked God to purify him thoroughly. The use of hyssop typically accompanied purification from uncleanness, such as with an unclean house. David no doubt used such ceremonial language to stress his condition as being spiritually unclean. He was wasting away in his sin, just as a leper wasted away with leprosy. The word wash again signifies a deep cleaning (see v. 2). God would have to do a lot of cleaning to make David whiter than snow; yet, David longed for exactly that.

51:8. David longed to hear joy and gladness again in his heart, but his sinful condition prevented it. Only God’s cleansing could bring it again. The expression the bones You have crushed describes the intense discipline David felt under God’s hand. Nathan the prophet’s indictment had pierced David’s soul, and the ache of David’s sin had caused him much pain. He felt really beaten down, helpless under sin’s load; God was his only hope.

51:9. Turn Your face away literally means “hide your face.” God often had warned His people He would turn or hide His face from them when He judged them (Isa. 54:8; Mic. 3:4). Here, David asked the Lord to look at his sins no longer. Forgiveness includes the idea that God no longer would



Notes:

hold David’s sin against him (Ps. 32:1). David again returned to the idea of his guilt (see vv. 2,5). He owed God a great spiritual debt! He asked the Lord to blot out (see v. 1) any trace of it.

51:10. David prayed, God, create a clean heart for me. This prayer reminds us that renewal begins with God. He must do the cleansing work within us. Steadfast also can mean “confirmed” or “sure.” David wanted God to renew such a spirit in him again.

51:11. David knew his sin merited the worst sort of punishment. Banish is a strong word that also means “fling” or “cast away,” as a wild animal might do to its prey (1 Kings 13:24, “thrown”). David did not want such treatment from God. David also asked God not to take His Holy Spirit away. He was not talking about losing his salvation but about losing the Spirit’s power in his life. David did not want God to set him aside and no longer use him as He had done with Saul, Israel’s first king (1 Sam. 16:14).

51:12. David needed the Lord to restore the joy (v. 10) of David’s salvation to him. He needed God to remove his sin to make room for joy again. Note also that David did not pray for God to restore his salvation but the joy of his salvation. David’s sin had damaged his relationship with God and brought serious consequences to his life, but sin never could destroy that relationship. David also asked for a willing spirit—one that would help him follow God closely again. He knew that without such inner conviction, he quickly could return to a life of sin.

51:13. David’s words sound astounding; he actually believed God still could use him effectively in His service! The word rebellious is closely related to the word David earlier used to describe himself (see vv. 1,3). He would teach such transgressors God’s perfect ways, and they could be restored just as God had restored David!

The word sinners likewise is related to the words David used of his own sin (see vv. 2,3,5,9). Return also can mean “repent” and describes sinners turning back to God. David’s sins were great and the consequences staggering; yet David trusted in the forgiving, cleansing, renewing grace of God.


F I R S T N O R F O L KLUKE 18:1-8 A PRAYER OF PERSISTENCE MAY 11, 2014


> Spend the week reading through and studying Luke 18. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation.



H I G H L I G H T S

BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: Prayer played a significant role in Jesus’ life and teaching. One parable about a widow illustrated the need for persistence in prayer.

TEACHING AIM: God desires persistent and confident prayer from His people.





1 During what situations in daily life are you most likely to lose patience? When was the last time persistence paid off for you?

2 What is the most persistently you have ever prayed for something? Were you confident in what you were praying for?

3 Was your prayer answered? What did you learn through that process?

Jesus’ teaching in the opening verses of Luke 18 was on the vitality of persistent prayer in the life of the believer. In talking with His disciples and with the Pharisees, Jesus showed the nature and power of faith and persistence in asking God for the needs of life.


In preparing the disciples for His eventual departure, following the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus taught about the spiritual tools available to them as they faced troubling times. Unbeknownst to them, He was preparing them for the rest of their lives. In this text, Jesus encouraged the use of prayer as one of the tools to help them remain steadfast as they awaited His second coming.

> Have a volunteer read Luke 18:1-5.

Jesus chose a parable to illustrate the need for them to pray. Luke’s writings placed a strong emphasis on prayer. It was to be a way of life for believers. As a need, prayer was not optional for Christians.



°° What did Jesus say is the point of this parable? What is your main take-away from this parable?

°° What finally made the unjust judge respond to the widow’s plea?

For a period of time, the judge continually dismissed the widow’s incessant requests. Perhaps he considered her to be insignificant or viewed her case as frivolous, or maybe he sided with her adversary. Following the widow’s latest petition, the judge had second thoughts. Whatever else he was, at least he was honest with himself. He admitted his lack of reverence for God and regard for other people. The judge, however, valued his comfort and peace of mind. The widow was constantly pestering him. Literally, she continued to cause him trouble; her ceaseless pleas were exhausting him. In order to get rid of the widow, the judge decided to rule in her favor. The phrase “wear me out” can be translated “give me a black eye” (in the sense of annoying him). The judge’s decision was not made on the basis of concern that the widow have her day in court and receive a fair judgment; his decision was completely self-serving. He wanted relief from a persistent irritant.

°° What characteristics of God encourage persistent prayer?

°° What does persistent prayer say about the nature of the Christian who prays? Why does God want us to pray with persistence when He already knows our concerns?

°° Have you ever fallen to the pressure of persistent requests? What wore you down?



°° Discuss reasons believers may become discouraged when God doesn’t answer their prayer in what they consider a timely manner.

> Have a volunteer read Luke 18:6-8.

°° According to Jesus, what is the real question revealed by the unjust judge? As you listen to Jesus’ words in verses 6-8, what surprises you? Why?

°° What does Jesus say about the character of God? What does He say about His disciples? How does what Jesus said encourage faith?

Jesus applied the parable to the disciples’ situation. He posed His teaching in the form of a couple of rhetorical questions. As a complement to the call for believers to pray always (see 18:1), Jesus affirms that God hears His people’s prayers day and night. No limits exist to God’s availability. Jesus also asked rhetorically,“Will He delay to help them?”The obvious answer of “No” emphasizes the certain response of God. It doesn’t mean God always works immediately as one might desire, but He does respond in His timing. The judge finally took action on the widow’s behalf. Even an evil man like that can do the right thing. If an unjust man, then, can act justly, how much more will a righteous God be just?

°° What does it mean to lose heart? What tempts Christians to lose heart? What tempts you to lose heart?

°° What factors threaten your ability to pray in faith? What value do you find in the practice of consistent prayer?



°° In what ways does persistence in prayer demonstrate the expectation of fulfillment?

°° How is God like and unlike the judge in this parable?

Jesus reiterated that God swiftly grants justice. God does not demand prayer as a means to convince Him to act. He acts swiftly in His own sure timing to do right. Again, this statement should not be interpreted to mean that God works “on demand” from believers. Rather, He acts justly and willingly. Unlike the human judge, God always judges fairly. We can be assured that God hears our prayers. He responds to them according to His righteous character. Persistence, however, may be needed to prepare our hearts to receive God’s response.

°° What does God expect of His people when the Son of Man returns to earth, according to verse 8? How is this connected to prayer?

°° What does this parable have to do with the “now” and “not yet” nature of the kingdom of God?

Jesus knew that living now while waiting for His return would be difficult. He knew we would have the temptation to lose heart, be discouraged, and give up on faith. He told this parable to remind us that God will indeed bring justice for His people. He wanted to give a promise of God to keep us encouraged and praying. He wants us to stay in faith. At the end of all our stories, God prevails. He desires, however, that Christians remain focused on Him and faithful to Him throughout our lives. The practice of prayer reinforces that connection. Jesus wants to find His church in faith when He returns to this world.



°° If all of these things are true about God, then why do so many of our prayers seem to go unanswered?

As disciples who demonstrate the active faith Jesus has been teaching about, we learn to trust not only in God’s ability, but also His good-ness to answer our prayers. Ultimately, we trust Him, not ourselves, to know what is the best. God is faithful. Even when God’s answers are delayed, we should keep on praying and leave the answers and timing in His hands. We can trust Him to care for us.

°° What factors threaten your ability to pray persistently? What value do you find in the practice of confident, persistent prayer?

°° Read Luke 22:44 and Acts 12:5, two examples of per-sistent prayer. What additional insight do these two texts give on fervent prayer?

°° Read Matthew 6:7-8. What are the key differences between persistence in prayer, which is demonstrated by the widow as something God values, and the repeti-tion Jesus warned against in Matthew 6?


We pray with power when we exercise determination. As Christians, we should keep praying until we recognize God’s answers to our prayers. Yet sometimes He is actually answering our prayers when we do not realize He is doing so. God’s answer may be a “no” or a “wait” answer. God lovingly may refuse to give what we request because He sees the big picture and knows what is best for us. How persistent are you in your praying? Commit to spend a significant amount of time in prayer this week.



1 What does the widow teach us about being confident in our prayers? How does this example help us understand what God values and expects from His disciples?

2 Why isn’t it enough to ask God one time? How does persistent prayer increase faith?

3 Of the prayers we have studied thus far (prayer of exaltation, prayer of faith, prayer for forgiveness, and prayer of persistence) which speaks most to your current season of life? Why?

4 Would you characterize your current prayer life as persistent? Why or why not? What have you done/could you do to develop a persistent prayer life?

5 When do you know you have persisted in prayer long enough?

P R A Y

Close in a brief time of prayer, thanking God that He’s concerned about the condition of our hearts and our motives for seeking Him. Pray for the members of your group as they surrender to the Holy Spirit’s conviction in their lives this morning and throughout the upcoming week. Pray that we would be persistent in our prayers while trusting in God with both faith and humility.



F O L L O W U P Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your life group with some or all of the following information:


°° How is your prayer life? What do you consider to be its strengths and weaknesses?

°° Honestly evaluate your motives concerning prayer. How much room for improvement is in your own life? How is God speaking to you about this issue? Are you truly praying persistently in faith?

> A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your life group gathering.

> The challenge to memorize Luke 18:7-8.

> The text for next week’s study, so life group members can read it in anticipation of next weekend: Acts 4:1-31.



Notes:

L U K E 1 8 : 1 - 8

18:1. In spite of interruptions from the crowds and His opponents, Jesus consistently turned back to His disciples to teach them new truths about the kingdom. This time He augmented His teaching on prayer (see 3:21; 5:16; 6:12, 28; 9:18, 28-29; 11:1-13; 20:47; 22:40-46). Prayer is not one quick session of listing needs and expecting immediate results. Prayer is continuing to talk to God with persistence. Prayer is based on absolute faith in God, so it never gives up, knowing God will answer when and where He chooses. Prayer also knows that God expects us to keep on praying until the answer comes.

18:2-5. Another parable illustrates Jesus’ teaching on persistent prayer. An emotionally passive judge settled cases in one town. He did so without passion, not caring for either party. He did so on the basis of his own wisdom and power, never looking to God for help, since he did not fear or believe in God. In an Israelite community where the judge was to be impartial and judgment ultimately belonged to God (Deut. 1:16-17), this judge was unfit for his job.

The judge met his match when a local widow plead for justice in a dispute with a neighbor. The nature of her grievance is of no concern for the story. The point is that she was a widow who never gave up. As a widow she should have received special protection and care from the justice system (Exod. 22:22; Deut. 10:18; 24:17-21; 27:19; cf. Jas. 1:27). No matter how long the judge ignored her or denied her plea, she returned to his court asking for justice. The judge finally threw up his hands in disgust and frustration. Religious grounds did not cause him to act. He had no religion. Social justice grounds did not cause him to act. He cared nothing for people. He simply had a job as a judge and he did it. He did have limits to his patience. So he finally gave in to the woman just to get rid of her.

Word Study: Widow (18:3,5)

Widows—that is, women with deceased husbands—usually faced a harsh life in ancient times. The death of a husband often resulted in loneliness, isolation, and a lack of security. In the Old Testament Scriptures, God focused attention on the plight of the widow. Certain Jewish laws stated the rights of widows and the protections that were to be afforded to them. Nevertheless, these laws often failed to mitigate some of the disadvantages of a widow’s life. Many unprincipled people took advantage of the poor and helpless, widows being among that group. Jesus championed the cause of widows. He used widows as an illustration of helpless persons. The early church took up the ministry to the oppressed, including providing help to widows without any other means of support. A community of widows seems to have developed in the early church. They fulfilled certain good works in the church.



Notes:

18:6-8a. Jesus applied the story for His disciples. If an uncaring human judge acts like this, how much more does a loving heavenly Father care for His children. He will never put you off. He does care for you. You will get a quick answer. You will receive justice. But remember, this involves continuing to pray day and night. Your definition of quick may not equal God’s definition.

18:8b. The problem is not with God. He will answer when you need it. You can count on that. The problem is with us. When Christ returns, will there be anyone here who calls out in faith day and night? Will we become so lackadaisical in our faith that we allow people of persistent prayer to become extinct? Will the second coming of Jesus find us persisting in prayer that His kingdom will come? Or will it find us trapped on the housetop trying desperately to get back into the house to find the possessions that we rely on more than we do on God? Persistent prayer, the work of the person of faith, continues on, no matter what the answer. When Christ returns, the person of persistent prayer will still be praying.

Concept Study: The Son of Man Comes (18:8)

Son of Man is a title Jesus often used to refer to Himself. Its linguistic formulation comes from a Hebrew background imported into the Greek language. In Ezekiel the term frequently refers to the prophet (2:1). It means simply a human being (Pss. 8:4; 80:17). The Aramaic form of the expression appears in Daniel 7:13, where one like a son of man was given eternal authority in an eternal kingdom. “Son of Man” by itself is an indefinite reference to “a person” or “someone.” It may or may not relate to the speaker who uses the term, and it may or may not relate to the context of Daniel. Jesus may have coined an expression using the definite article to refer to Himself in a somewhat indefinite and mysterious way and to connect Himself cryptically to Daniel 7:13.

The Gospels use the term seventy-seven times. It can refer to Jesus in His earthly ministry, His death and resurrection and vindication, or His rule in glory. Luke specifically uses the term to refer to the earthly Jesus’ authority to forgive sins (5:24); His authority over the Sabbath (6:5); His persecution and rejection (6:22); His rejection by the Pharisees as a glutton and drunkard (7:34); His prediction of His crucifixion and resurrection (9:22); His rejection in glory of people who rejected Him on earth (9:26); His function as a sign to His generation in the way Jonah was a sign to his (11:30); His acknowledging in glory of those who acknowledge Him on earth (12:8); the availability of forgiveness to those who reject or speak against Him (12:10); the call to be ready for His unexpected return to earth (12:40); the time when He will no longer be available to men (17:22); His appearance when His day comes (17:24); the crisis situation at His coming compared to that of the days of Noah (17:26); the normal activities of life will continue when His day is revealed (17:30); the fear that faith will disappear from earth before He comes (18:8); the certainty that the Scriptures concerning His suffering must be fulfilled in Jerusalem (18:31);



Notes:

His mission to seek and save the lost (19:10); His visible coming on a cloud in glory (21:27); the need to pray for ability to escape the trauma of the last days and stand before Him (21:36); the question if Judas was betraying Him with a kiss (22:48); His future place on the throne at God’s right hand (22:69); and the necessity of His crucifixion (24:7).

Thus, Luke uses Son of Man extensively to refer to Christ’s coming. This coming is certain. The question is not will He come, but will people of faith persevere until He comes?


F I R S T N O R F O L KACTS 4:1-31 A PRAYER FOR BOLDNESS MAY 18, 2014


> Spend the week reading through and studying Acts 4:1-31. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation.



H I G H L I G H T S

BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: The early church was a praying commu-nity. Prayers extended from the temple into homes, from the larger corporate gatherings to the intimacy of families. Prayer was their source of connection to God by which they found direction, received courage, and proclaimed the Word of God.

TEACHING AIM: God will act on prayers offered for the sake of the gospel.





1 Who do you think is the most courageous person in the history of Virginia? Why?

2 Who do you think is the most courageous person in our group? Why?

3 How do you think your life would be different if you were more courageous?

We have all heard stories of courage in the face of danger or death and some of us have such stories of our own. We all question at times, though, the depth of our courage when it comes to our lives in Christ. Through the example of the early church, we are reminded that God answers when we pray for courage to proclaim the gospel.


> Have a volunteer read Acts 4:1-7.

°° What were the reasons for the opposition of the Sadducees to Peter’s healing and sermon from Acts 3?

°° What does Peter’s response to the beggar in Acts 3:1-10 reveal about his belief in God? About God’s ability to work through us?



Peter understood that God wants to use us to bless others. He expects us to do only what we can, to give only what we have. Then we are to trust Him to work through our efforts to minister to others in the name of Jesus.

°° Peter and John landed in jail because of their testi-mony about Jesus following that healing. Why does sharing the gospel of Jesus provoke people to oppose the message and the messengers?

°° How did those in the temple listening to Peter and John react to their message? What various responses have you received from people when you’ve shared about your relationship with Jesus?

°° What was the significance of the question the council asked Peter and John in verse 7? Have you ever felt like you didn’t have the authority to share the gospel because of a lack of education or position?

The Sadducees judged the apostles and treated them with scorn because they were not well educated (4:13). They had not received training at the feet of the rabbis and had no official standing in Judaism. To the Sanhedrin these disciples were nobodies, ordinary men who had assumed religious authority to which they were not entitled. So, they locked Peter and John in prison.


°° What motivated Peter to again share the gospel of Jesus with the religious leaders? What is the main point of his testimony in these verses?



°° If you were arrested, brought before a judge, and accused of testifying and witnessing about Jesus Christ, how do you think you would respond?

Verse 8 notes that Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit,” which gave him the courage to speak honestly before his interrogators. To be filled with the Spirit means to submit to His control and power. No matter how “ordinary” we feel, the Holy Spirit works through us in extraordinary ways.

°° What is the meaning of verse 12? Why would this be considered a bold statement today? When have you experienced or witnessed push back to this truth?

°° What do you think was the source of Peter and John’s courage? What did the crowd notice about Peter and John?

°° Do you notice a difference in your courage and enthu-siasm for the gospel when you spend quality time with God? Explain some specific ways it might be evident to others that you have been with Jesus.

°° What does the fact that the men seemed so “ordinary” communicate about the work of God and His gos-pel? In what ways can this encourage us as ordinary people?

°° Read verses 18-20 again. How did the religious lead-ers’ response affect Peter and John? What implication does their example have on our witness?




°° Who do you go to when you experience difficulty? What is significant about the people to whom Peter and John went after their release?

°° What is typically your first response to a crisis situation? Is your response similar to the one described in the Scripture passage or would it be different? Why?

°° What were Peter and John’s motivations in relaying the information to the apostles and friends? What were they most concerned about?

After they were released from jail, Peter and John returned to the other apostles, friends, and relatives who encouraged and supported them during this difficulty. Once there, they reported the events that just transpired, telling how authorities had ordered them not to preach of Jesus again. They were most concerned about the spread of the gospel and the continued preaching of God’s Word. The believers responded to Peter and John’s update by praying together.

°° How does this prayer and Jesus’ own experience encourage us to pray in the same way?

Rather than despondency and defeat or fear and anxiety over such dire news, the assembled believers turned to God in prayer, not as a last resort but as a first resolve. Surprisingly, the believers didn’t pray for changed circumstances or personal comfort. They instead turned to God, recognizing and resting in His power and sovereignty.




°° The believers were facing a very difficult time of per-secution. What are some of the emotions associated with being threatened? Did the believers ask God to remove the threats?

°° What did the believers ask God for instead? Why? What does this reveal about their priorities in prayer?

°° How does that compare to our priorities when we pray? What are we telling God when we pray for boldness?

Having embraced God’s plan in their prayer, the believers now requested God to perform a great and visible work. The powerful prayer composed three main requests. First, they wanted the Lord to consider the threats from their opposition. Second, they sought bravery in the face of danger, boldness to proclaim the gospel without fear, and power to prevail in the midst of overwhelming odds. The rest of the Book of Acts reveals how God answered their requests. Third, they asked God to visually affirm His approval by confirming their bold witness through miracles. They requested observable proof that God had indeed answered their prayer. Specifically, they wanted God’s hand, which stands for His provision, His strength, His work, displayed miraculously in their midst.

°° How do you think you would respond to a threat of per-secution? Do you think you would respond by praying for boldness? Why or why not?

°° Why would the believers have called themselves “slaves” in their prayer?



°° Why would the early church have prayed for God to perform miraculous signs?

God’s will might not remove us from difficult situations or soften our trek through life by delivering us from opposition, but when we pray God will strengthen us and make us more effective for Him in those situations. God furnishes boldness and courage to His people when they need it. Honest prayer releases God’s power and invites God’s hand to work through our community. Look for it. Seize it. Know that it goes before you as you boldly serve and share about Him.

°° Look at verse 31. What was the direct result of the disciples’ prayer?

°° How do you feel about your own prayers in light of this verse? Why do you think our prayers often have less of an impact than what we see in this verse?

°° What happens to a community that prays together regularly? What are the dangers of a group of believers, like our group, not praying together?


The disciples were determined to continue giving their eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. The spoke and prayed for the sake of the gospel. Like the early church, believers should be united in prayer, praising God for His power and protection and lifting up one another’s needs to our Father.



1 What task or problem are you facing that could benefit from intercessory prayer? What specific things can we pray for on your behalf?

2 When was the last time we prayed solely for the sake of the gospel and not our own benefit? How would this kind of prayer change our attitudes and actions?

3 How can praying together as a group transform First Norfolk? How could it transform our community outside of the church?

4 What are some corporate prayer opportunities at First Norfolk that you could be more involved with?

P R A Y

For your closing prayer time, invite your group members to spend time praying for the various requests mentioned today. Encourage each group member to pray, also thanking God for His work in and through our group. Pray that we would be concerned for the spread of the gospel and that we would have boldness in our own encoun-ters with those opposed to the Christian faith.





°° Are there ways that I am putting limits on God’s working in my life?

°° Which of the following am I willing to risk to share the gospel: job security, family affec-tion, friendships or other relationships, reputation, life? Pray specifically this week for the boldness to be willing to risk all of the above for the spread of the gospel.


> The challenge to memorize Acts 4:29-30.

> The text for next week’s study, so group members can read it in anticipation of next weekend: John 17 and Hebrews 7:25-28.



Notes:

A C T S 4 : 1 - 3 1

4:1-3. The religious authorities confronted and ultimately arrested Peter and John for unauthorized teaching about the resurrection from the dead by using Jesus as the example. The Sadducees in particular were provoked by this, for they did not believe in resurrection because they did not think it was taught in the Pentateuch, the only portion of the Hebrew Bible they acknowledged as authoritative (Mt 22:23). The apostles were held in custody overnight because Sanhedrin trials were not conducted at night. Rome had granted the Sanhedrin legal authority over the temple area since disputes arising there were religious in nature rather than civic.

4:4. Repeated attempts to suppress the Christian message only caused it to spread more quickly. On Pentecost morning the believers in Jerusalem only numbered 120 (1:15). In response to Peter’s sermon that day, another 3,000 were added (2:41). Now, with the healing of the lame man, Peter’s sermon, and the arrest of the apostles, the church grew to about 5,000.

4:5-7. The parties listed in verses 5-6 represent all the most powerful players in the Jewish religious establishment. They made Peter and John stand before them, two men against all the powers of Israel. Ironic, therefore, that they asked the apostles by what power they had performed the miracle and preached the gospel. It was clear that the apostles, who shirked the traditional powers, considered themselves answerable to and empowered by a different authority.

4:8. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, a necessary prelude to his successful confrontation with the Jewish religious establishment.

4:9-10. Peter again emphasizes to a Jewish audience that Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom the nation had crucified, was raised from the dead by God. This same Jesus is the power by which the lame man was made healthy.

4:11. Peter again identifies Jesus with OT testimony by citing Ps 118:22. Though Jesus was a stone rejected by the Jewish leaders, God made Him the cornerstone (foundation) of the church. God’s people, portrayed as a building, are both built on the foundation of Christ and are completed by Him. The word translated rejected carries the idea of rejecting with contempt, possibly referring to the crucifixion

4:12. Peter concluded by making clear the uncompromising claim of Christianity: There is salvation in no one else besides Jesus. This message rings throughout the NT. Jesus Himself said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn 14:6).

4:16-18. Remarkably, the Sanhedrin admitted that an obvious sign had been done through them (the apostles), and yet rather than repent and believe they focused on damage control among the people. They sought



Notes:

to halt the spread of Christianity at all costs, so they ordered the apostles not to preach or teach any more about Jesus. It seems they wished to guard their status as religious authorities even at the expense of obvious truth.

4:19-20. Peter and John’s reference to what they had seen and heard included their experiences with Jesus plus what they had witnessed since the founding of the church at Pentecost. All told, they had been eyewitnesses to many of God’s revelatory acts.

4:23 Peter and John returned to the church gathering: After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. Peter and John knew that God’s people would be anxious to hear what happened to them during their trial before the Sanhedrin. So their first concern was to explain to the church that the Sanhedrin had threatened them, but they had refused to stop preaching and teaching in Jesus’ name. Peter and John showed great courage and leadership by standing up to the Sanhedrin and refusing to obey them because obeying God was more important (v. 19).

4:24. The news of Peter and John’s experience before the Sanhedrin moved the church to pray. So often in our Christian lives we find ourselves, whether in the midst of persecution or reflecting on its aftermath, neglecting to do the most important thing of all—go to the Lord in prayer. But the believers in the church at this time were not guilty of this mistake: When they heard this, they all raised their voices to God and said. In this prayer the growing but struggling church embraced God’s plan for them in spreading the gospel in a hostile environment. They began by acknowledging God’s sovereignty over all things, including their own circumstances. Master emphasizes the authority that someone has over others. God’s authority is absolute, for He is the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. The argument of these believers is sound and uses a greater to lesser principle: If God created everything in this vast universe and in our amazing world, then He certainly has authority over the circumstances we face as believers.

4:25. The connection between God as Creator and His control of His world is made quite forcefully in the quotation of Psalm 2:1-2, which was spoken through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David Your servant. David, the author of this psalm, faced opposition to his reign from pagan rulers and from his own countrymen. Similarly, Jesus, the greater Son of David, also faced opposition from people in authority. This Messianic psalm refers to the fact that David and those faithful to him during his reign experienced hostility, and the church’s quotation of it indicates that those faithful to King Jesus can expect the same.

4:26. Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers assembled together



Notes:

against the Lord and against His Messiah. It is not just sad but terrifying to know that those who reject God’s salvation through His Son are taking their stand against the Lord, referring to God the Father, and against His Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Their rejection of the gospel means that eternal punishment awaits them. Peter and John told the Sanhedrin the truth; the Jewish leaders rejected their message to their own peril.

4:27-28. The significance of this psalm for the church’s situation at that time is clearly explained in the next part of the prayer: For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed. Despite the guilt of these men in putting Jesus to death, it was God’s sovereign plan for the redemption of people—to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. God’s people today have a part in that plan as we share the gospel and watch God continue to grow His church.

4:29. There’s a spiritual irony in the fact that what these men in places of both Jewish and Gentile authority had done to Jesus they were now doing to His people. And those faithful followers of Christ called on God to use them to advance His kingdom in the midst of this opposition. Thus, after praising God for His great power and sovereignty over all things, their prayer now turned to petitions: And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness. Believers in America are yet to know what it means to have civil authorities threaten, persecute, or execute them, though this day may come. But Christians in many other countries are quite familiar with hostile governments, and this was the case for the early church from the very outset. Incredibly, the believers did not ask God to remove the persecution but to empower them to proclaim the gospel boldly despite persecution.

4:30. The church’s dependence on God is highlighted in verse 30: while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. It may seem strange that the church would ask God to continue performing miracles since Peter’s healing of the lame man is what started the chain reaction of events leading to Peter and John’s trial and the threats from the Sanhedrin. But the believers in the early church were more concerned about advancing the gospel and God’s kingdom than they were about avoiding persecution. Through this prayer, these believers serve as a reminder for us that God does not call us to lives of ease, prosperity, and comfort. Quite the contrary, as Jesus declared elsewhere: “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me” (Matt. 5:11). One of the most dangerous ideas propagated in modern churches today is that God’s plan is for His people to be happy and prosperous. The Scriptures do not support this claim. The believers in the early church already knew this and prayed accordingly. They wanted God to



Notes:

use them to spread the gospel in the face of persecution, even if it led to their martyrdom.

4:31. After the church had finished praying, the Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way—they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The filling of the Spirit occurs 15 times in the New Testament, four of them in Luke and 10 in Acts. God had a specific plan for the church at that time, and the Holy Spirit gave them the power to accomplish that plan. God never demands of us what He doesn’t empower us to do. The church had been praying that God would continue to use them, and we should expect God to move when we pray according to His will. The church’s prayer was answered—they had asked for boldness (v. 29) and now they had the boldness they needed to be effective witnesses (v. 31). The early church was willing to boldly go where no Christians had gone before—because they had the power of the Spirit in them and a powerful message to share with others.


F I R S T N O R F O L KJOHN 17; HEBREWS 7:25-28 A PRAYER FOR US MAY 25, 2014


> Spend the week reading through and studying John 17 and Hebrews 7:25-28. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation.


> Pray for our pastors, the sermon series, the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the lesson.

H I G H L I G H T S

BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: Just before being betrayed, arrested and crucified, Jesus prayed that the Father would glorify Him and also that we might know God as He truly is. Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf so that we can have fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

TEACHING AIM: Knowing that Jesus prays for us gives us confidence in our prayers.





1 What thoughts come to mind when you hear someone say, “I’m praying for you,” or “I’ll keep you in my prayers”?

2 How does it feel when you realize someone is praying for you?

3 How do you generally want others to pray for you? What are your most common concerns in prayer?

We may be skeptical about others’ prayers for us, or we may depend on those prayers often. Wherever we fall on that spectrum, we often forget that Jesus is interceding on our behalf right now. Today we will look at Jesus’ prayer for His disciples in John 17 as well as the truth from Hebrews 7 that He intercedes for us.


> Have a volunteer read John 17:6-11.

Jesus prayed for His disciples. In what has been called His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that the disciples might experience the oneness He had with the Father. Jesus did not need to pray aloud for the Father’s sake, but for the disciples to know His heart as He prayed for them. Verses 6-11 include the acknowledgment of the Father’s gifts, the Son’s actions, and the disciples’ responses.



°° Jesus said His disciples knew certain things about God because of Jesus. What are some things you know about God because of Jesus?

Jesus had revealed the Father to the men the Father had given Him. No one can know God except as the Son reveals Him. Jesus is God in human flesh. Jesus reveals God’s nature and His purpose to redeem people through faith in Jesus.

°° Jesus said He was praying for His followers. What would you want Jesus to pray for you? For First Norfolk? For other churches?

°° For what two things did Jesus specifically pray for His disciples?

°° What did Jesus mean when He prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one? Ask someone in your life group to share a time when they’ve seen this oneness exemplified at First Norfolk.

The world would reject the disciples as it had rejected Jesus. Thus He prayed that the Father would protect them by the power of God’s name—His being or nature—and that they might be one as Jesus and the Father are one. Their unity would enhance their witness to the world.


°° What are some specific things Jesus indicated in His prayer He wanted for His followers?



°° From what possible actions of the Evil One did Jesus pray for believers’ protection? What are ways you have experienced God’s protection against the Evil One?

°° In what ways does Jesus’ prayer encourage you as a Christ follower?

Jesus specifically prayed that believers would be protected from the Evil One and the influences of a godless world (vv. 15-16); believers are sanctified by the truth (v. 17); believers are sent into the world (v. 18).

°° What was Jesus’ plan in not taking believers out of the world?

°° What are some advantages and disadvantages believ-ers have in remaining in the world?

Jesus did not pray that God would take the disciples out of the world. Jesus said He soon would depart from the world but that the disciples would remain in it. He knew the same society that would crucify Him would reject and persecute His followers. Yet they could not accomplish His mission if they were removed from the world. Their faithful testimony about Jesus would be the only way lost people could hear about salvation through Him. Jesus’ plan was not to take believers out of the world but to reach the world through them.

°° How was Jesus’ mission for His disciples described in verses 16-18?



Jesus stressed the nature of the disciples’ mission in the world. He was sending them into the world even as the Father had sent the Son into the world. Jesus was sending them as the Father’s emissaries into an alien environment to witness about redemption in Christ. The disciples were to continue the same mission on which the Father had sent Jesus: to seek to persuade people to accept God’s grace in Jesus.


Jesus prayed for His disciples, but His prayer was not for them alone. He included people who would follow Him in future generations: those who would believe in Him through their (the disciples’) mes-sage. Verses 20-26 focus on future believers, but verses 9-19 may include all believers by implication. Jesus knew that believers of every generation would face the same types of challenges His disci-ples would experience after His departure.

°° What is the central theme of Jesus’ prayer in these verses? What things did Jesus pray for His followers in these verses?

Jesus prayed for believers’ oneness with God (vv. 21-23); by believers’ unity the world will know God sent Jesus (v. 23); God loves believers just as God loves His Son (v. 23); believers will be with Jesus and see His glory (v. 24); God’s love is to be in believers (v. 26).

Jesus asked the Father that all future believers be one in the same way the Father was in the Son and the Son was in the Father. When Christian fellowships are divided today, people may wonder whether Jesus’ prayer was practical or powerful. Can all Christians truly experience a unity that transcends differences? The church’s failure to live up to Jesus’ intention does not devalue His purpose or His ability to fulfill that purpose.



°° If all you knew about unity was based on these verses, how would you define Christian unity?

°° What is the result of unity among believers? How can we as believers apply the truths from these verses as an individual? As a class? As a church?

Jesus’ high priestly prayer shows His deep concern for unity among His followers. Unity does not mean holding the same opinions or agreeing on every matter. Unity among Christians means loving one another with Jesus’ love, obeying His commands, and working together in His redemptive mission. Love for Jesus, faithfulness to Him, and a sense of needing one another to do His work will unite His people for maximum effort for Him.

°° What does Jesus’ praying for us immediately before His death mean to us? What impact should that truth have on our own prayers?

> Have a volunteer read Hebrews 7:25-28.

Verses 23-28 declare Jesus is the permanent, perfect High Priest. Because His priesthood is forever, what Jesus did for the salvation of sinners is permanent; and believers’ hope is secure.

°° Looking at these verses, find all the words the writer uses to describe Jesus. Which of these characteristics of Jesus is most important to you for meeting your needs?



°° How do you think Jesus intercedes for you?

°° How does His intercession inspire you in daily living and in service?

Jesus always lives to intercede for believers. The writer emphasized again Jesus as eternal High Priest: He always lives. His intercession is not to be seen as pleading with a reluctant God to forgive Christians who have sinned or as entreating God to hear their prayers. Jesus represents believers to God; His atoning work for them, which they have received, opens the way into God’s presence. Jesus’ interces-sion may be much like His High Priestly prayer in John 17 and His prayer for Peter in Luke 22:32.

°° Read Luke 22:32. How do you think Jesus’ prayer for Simon Peter is similar and/or different from His prayers for you and me?

°° What security do we have knowing Jesus is interceding for us?


1 In what ways does Jesus’ prayer in John 17 change the way you view prayer? How does it change your hope?



2 In what ways should our confidence be strengthened knowing that Jesus is praying for us?

3 What is most difficult for you in admitting your complete dependency on God? How is prayer fundamentally about such a recognition?

4 How might knowing that Jesus prays for us give us confidence to share the gospel with the lost?

5 When you find yourself in a hopeless situation, how does it affect your prayer life? How does it affect your dependence on Jesus’ prayer for you?

6 How has your prayer life been strengthened over the course of our prayer study together? How can we continue to pray for one another.

P R A Y

Spend some time thanking God for Jesus’ intercessory prayers on our behalf. Thank Him for the hope we have, even when we do not know what to pray. Ask God to align our prayers with those of Jesus, that we might be most concerned about His purposes for His kingdom and our lives.





°° Reflect on Jesus’ High Priestly prayer from John 17. In what ways are you fulfilling His prayers for you?

°° What steps will you take this week to ensure you’ll continue to pursue a healthy prayer life?


> The challenge to memorize John 17:25-26.



Notes:

J O H N 1 7 : 6 - 2 6

17:6–7. Perhaps we can best approach the paragraph by asking two questions: What does Christ do for believers? And what should be our response?

We start the answer to the first question with the word proclamation. The disciples heard about God and his plan from the Son. Most sons probably reflect their fathers, perhaps in facial features, height, hair color, personality, and sometimes even worldview. Jesus specifically identified his task in the world as one of revelation to a select group of people chosen by the Father.

Jesus referred to the incarnation here. God took human form to communicate with the world. The first act of the Son in drawing disciples unto himself in the vibrant relationship of new life was to tell them and show them what the Father is like. Believers are gifts from the Father to the Son. All people belong to the Father by creation, but those who trust in the Son and relate to him by faith become God’s children by redemption.

17:8. By this time in the Gospel of John, we know that Jesus spoke only what his Father had told him. He can describe his own teaching ministry by saying, I gave them the words you gave me. Hardly a surprising close to a ministry that had always been described by Jesus as originating with the Father in heaven.

In this verse the Lord also talked about edification. When Paul stayed three years with the Ephesians declaring God’s truth, he followed the example of Jesus who did the same thing with these disciples (Acts 20:17–21). Here we encounter John’s interesting contrast of the Greek terms for word and words. There must have been an obvious intent on John’s part to distinguish between word and words with a special focus on the singular to emphasize the unity of the message.

17:9–10. The Lord also spoke of intercession. Verse 9 contains the curious phrase, I am not praying for the world. We should not infer here that the Lord never prayed for the world. This particular prayer focuses on those believers you have given me and emphasizes again the reality of the Bible’s teaching on election.

The switch to the present tense is an important notification of the Lord’s on-going ministry. One paraphrase of this verse says, “And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you; and you have given them back to me with everything else of yours, and so they are my glory!” What a stunning reality! Faltering, failing, sinning human beings represent the glory of the holy Son of God!

17:11. Jesus brought before the Father the fact that his people would be staying in the world after he left. The word world occurs eighteen



Notes:

times in this prayer. This is a strong testimony to the importance of the context of our lives and ministry. The address Holy Father is unique here in the New Testament. The NIV Study Bible says, “The name suggests both remoteness and nearness; God is both awe-inspiring and loving.”

17:15–17. How is it possible to be “in the world” and yet not of the world? These verses answer that question. Whatever the biblical doctrine of separation might mean, it certainly does not mean isolation. In the early Middle Ages when the world began to corrupt the purity of the church, some saw monasticism as the only solution. It was apparent to them that one could maintain purity of life and a clear relationship to God only by hiding from the world behind ten-foot walls. Some believers even became lone hermits living in the hills until communal monasticism became more popular.

One could never derive such a view from John 17. Jesus prayed not for removal from the world but for an awareness of its evils so they could be avoided. The danger is not the general presence of evil but the evil one. The New Testament indicates that the world is in the ultimate control of the prince of the power of the air who does battle against the living God by affecting the lives of his people. The antidote is sanctification.

17:18-19. From the very first days of Christianity, true believers have practiced separation by infiltration. The Father sent the Son into the world and now the Son was sending the believers into the world. Here the Lord introduced the word sanctify in different verb forms. In effect, he said,

“Lead these disciples to an act of dedication as I have dedicated myself to your work. Then as they live their lives for you, Father, they will ultimately enjoy the fixed and final dedication you bestow upon them.”

In the midst of modern conveniences and sophisticated technology, the church finds it more and more difficult to live in the world without being of the world. We find it increasingly tricky to escape the snares of the evil one and the enchanting attractions of our own flesh and the world around us. Calvin once put it this way: “As the wantonness of our flesh ever itches to dare more than God commands, let us learn that our zeal will turn out badly whenever we dare to undertake anything beyond God’s Word.”

17:20–21. If we had any doubt that this prayer applies to believers today, it is erased by verse 20. The heart of this final paragraph of the chapter focuses on unity—the ultimate demonstration of God’s work through his people in the world. We learn here that body unity is patterned after divine unity. The absolute oneness of the Father and the Son will now be spiritually transferred to believers for a specific purpose—spiritual unity.

The union of the church is not patterned after some earthly organization or any well-meaning intentions of humanity. God joins our spirits through the Holy Spirit because Jesus’ blood is “thicker than water” and thicker than human bonds.



Notes:

Perhaps there is no verse in all of Scripture which has been more frequently quoted to support ecclesiastical church union than John 17:21. However, the emphasis of the prayer centers in spiritual unity, not organizational unity. It must be understood in the light of John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” If we are to understand the unity of the church, we must first understand unity between the Son and the Father.

17:22. Christian unity is facilitated by glory, first given to Christ and then in turn to the disciples. Glory in this context is not an absolute attribute of God but a relative possession that can be reassigned to believers. Some interpreters see heaven here, but there would be no point in such a futuristic view with respect to the mission statement of verse 23: “to let the world know that you sent me.” Peter wrote that the divine nature was already in us as a result of regeneration, so we already have a measure of the glory of Jesus himself.

A minister once wrote, “Child of God, don’t you know only you share the glow. It’s a light from within, when the blood covers sin. It’s the wonderful glory of God.”

17:23. We also learn in this passage that body unity is a witness to the world. Like a set of matched mixing bowls, we are the smaller one that fits into Christ who fits into the Father. Purpose? To let the world know that you sent me. Mixing bowls may provide too mundane a metaphor here, but Jesus’ teaching about the vine and the branches in chapter 15 is affirmed by this prayer of chapter 17.

The unity of believers calls forth a recognition of God’s hand by observers in the world even while the church is on earth. Just a few hours before this prayer, Jesus told the disciples, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (13:35).

17:24. Furthermore, body unity will be complete only in heaven. If the disciples listened to this prayer (which I believe they did), they may have remembered Jesus’ teaching from chapter 14 as he promised them they would eventually arrive at the place where he was going. He wanted them to see him there. They had seen him scorned and hated on earth. Soon they would see him killed and buried. But they had never seen the splendor of heaven and his role as the Son of the Father.

We see just a touch of humanity in this verse. Just as we invite our friends home to show them how hard we have worked to make it attractive and comfortable, so Jesus looked forward to the time when all his people would be in his Father’s house.

What a reminder that our Lord was always a pilgrim and stranger on earth. Now he prayed for guests to visit his eternal home. Notice also that heaven is heaven because of the presence of the Savior, not because of any other physical or material accouterments.



Notes:

The glory of verse 24 seems different than what we saw in verse 22. Here believers observe it but do not partake in it personally, so we focus now on an attribute of deity. The glory and splendor that belong to Christ in heaven are a gift from his Father. This gift was motivated by love that the Father had before the foundation of the world. Before Adam, the Father loved the Son. This love will continue throughout all eternity so that believers may see its effects in the heavenly position afforded the Messiah.

17:25–26. Again we find the contrast between the world and disciples we saw in verses 9,14,16. The words Righteous Father in reference to God appear only here in the New Testament. They appeal to the justice of God. The world will be excluded from final glory because it has rejected the only means of grace. But the disciples, and all believers, live life with a divine viewpoint because they have known the incarnate God.

The exegesis of the Father that occupied Christ’s ministry is both complete and continuous. Complete in the sense that the incarnation demonstrated what God was like to those who would listen. Continuous in that it will go on as long as the world lasts. The impact of the latter part of the verse suggests that the very person of Christ lives in us. Through that inseparable union, we are recipients of divine love. The church of Jesus Christ dare not let the pagan society preempt its keynote theme of love. The love of God in the Son and consequently in the church marks Christians and enables them to reflect and communicate God’s love.

H E B R E W S 7 : 2 5 - 2 8

7:25 Jesus has a permanent high priesthood. As High Priest he prays always for his people. He pleads the cause of his people. The result of this priestly prayer is the salvation of his people. Because Jesus lives forever, he is able to save forever.

The word completely may mean that Jesus can save with totality or that he can save permanently. Either possibility supplies good meaning, but most commentators feel that here the emphasis is that Christ is able to save people entirely. Anyone who comes to God for salvation must come through Jesus, for salvation comes only through Christ.

7:26. This verse summarizes the qualities of an ideal high priest clearly seen in Jesus. Only those who come to God through Jesus can experience these qualities. First, three personal traits describe the ideal high priest. The first refers to personal holiness. Jesus was a perfect accomplishment of all God required. No one could find in Jesus any deficiency or failure. The second word blameless describes Christ as innocent or without guilt. Jesus had no craftiness or malice. The third word pure refers to Jesus as having no moral contamination. These three words describe Jesus as having holiness by nature and also as remaining pure in all his contacts with sinful human beings.

Second, in relationship to human beings Jesus was set apart from sinners.



Notes:

Jesus was sinless, and this fact set him apart from sinful human beings. Jesus’ service in the office of high priest also set him apart from other human beings. The holy High Priest can perfectly serve the needs of a sinful person to come to the holy God for salvation.

Third, despite Jesus’ likeness to human beings, he nevertheless stands above them, for he was exalted above the heavens. Many New Testament passages, such as Philippians 2:9, underscore the exalted nature of Jesus. His exalted standing should cause us to appreciate more deeply the glory of his ministry. A high priest like this fits our condition. He has experienced the complete force of temptation, and he has yielded to none of it. He has the perfect fitness to represent us before God and to secure our acceptance with God.

7:27. Jesus’ superiority also appeared in that he did not need daily sacrifices for himself. The Aaronic high priests offered sacrifices first for themselves and then for the people. Since he was sinless, Christ did not need to offer any sacrifice for himself. He needed only to offer a single sacrifice once for all (Heb. 10:10). He offered himself for sinful human beings, and he needed to offer no repetition. It may have been shocking at this point to introduce the idea that Jesus offered himself. No high priest offered himself. He offered a substitute animal sacrifice. The total unselfishness and commitment of Jesus appeared in his offering up of himself. Jesus had said that he came to offer his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). All who have come to Jesus for salvation have found him to be a powerful and sufficient Savior.

7:28. This verse summarizes the previous two verses concerning the appointment of the Levitical priests and the Melchizedek order. The Levitical order was appointed by the Law. The order of Melchizedek came by an oath. The difference between the two orders appeared in the character of the priest.

The Levitical order contained men who are weak. Priests did not come from any super race. They came from among ordinary people with all the weaknesses of human beings. The order of Melchizedek had as priest the Son, who has been made perfect forever. With a perfect High Priest like Jesus, Christians may approach God with confidence. Jesus’ character guarantees our access.

The idea is not that Jesus first became perfect and then became High Priest. Jesus’ nature was perfect from the beginning. He came to earth as a perfect High Priest. His earthly life was an exhibition of the moral perfection he always possessed. It is true that his suffering developed in him an ability to understand our needs and to become an even more effective Savior (Heb. 2:10). His eternal perfection allowed him to meet the needs of sinful, wandering human beings.


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when god’s people pray · 2014-04-05 · undertake ministries without a sense of god’s...

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