Adult Enlightener: 1st Qtr 2018

By R.H. Boyd

The Contemporary Training for the Church (CTC) is a church ministry of training. The discipline of the Contemporary Training for the Church guides train church membership in the distinctive beliefs held by Christians. This ministry is designed as an essential part of the total educational program of the church.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Oct 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781681673455

Book preview

Selected Scripture: Luke 11:1–13

BIBLICAL TEACHING EMPHASES:

I. An Example of How to Pray

II. The Attitude in Which One Should Pray

RESOURCES:

The Holy Bible, God’s Promises Edition. (Nashville: Boyd Publications, 1998.)

LEARNING SESSION

One of the key components of the Christian life is prayer. Jesus’ example of prayer throughout His earthly ministry, along with the disciples’ request for training in prayer, indicates its importance as an integral part of the Christian walk. In our text for today, Jesus gave the disciples important instructions for a faithful and effective prayer life. First, we will study the example of the model prayer He designed for His disciples. Second, we will analyze the attitude one should possess in relationship to prayer.

I. AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO PRAY

Perhaps one of the best known New Testament texts on prayer is the Lord’s Prayer. As one examines this prayer closely, he or she discovers that this prayer, which is also recorded by Matthew (see Matt. 6), serves as more of a model for prayer than a personal prayer on the part of Jesus Himself.

After observing Jesus’ habit of praying for quite some time, one of the disciples requested that Jesus ‘teach [them] to pray, as John taught his disciples’ (Luke 11:1, NRSV). Recall that from jail, John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to Jesus to address his concern that He might not be the Messiah. Rather than chastising His relative for his uncertainty, Jesus confirmed His identity and said further, ‘I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John’ (Luke 7:28, NRSV). It makes sense, then, that Jesus’ disciples would wonder why John had taught his disciples to pray, but Jesus had not done so, despite His obvious regard for the practice.

Jesus began by highlighting the importance of relationship. He told the disciples to pray Our Father (Luke 11:2, KJV). These two words emphasize relationship. The whole basis of our ability to come to God is based on a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Thus, when we pray to our Father, we are acknowledging that relationship. Another important element of prayer that is manifest in this example is adoration or praise. Jesus reminds the disciples that the Lord’s name is to be hallowed (ibid., KJV). Although we don’t use that word much today, it indicates that something is to be held sacred or blessed. When we pray these words, we are saying God’s name is sacred and worthy of praise and respect. Jesus reminds us that the Lord’s name is holy and set apart in light of who He is as our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. For that reason alone He is worthy of our praise and adoration. When we come to the Lord in prayer, we must give Him the respect that He so richly deserves. He is the true and living God, and there is no one like Him.

ACTIVITY

MAKING IT RELEVANT:

Prayer is communication with God. Two things are involved when we communicate with God. First, we must listen to what He says to us through the Scriptures. They are His words to us for direction, guidance, and to discover God’s purpose for our lives. Second, we talk to God when we pray to Him. Prayer shows our dependence on God. It also works to make this communication a two-way street as it keeps us focused on asking, How can I please God?

Another key component of prayer is petition. One common query about prayer concerns the type of things we should ask of the Lord. Jesus’ words let us know that as children of God, we can ask God to meet all our needs, both material and spiritual. When we pray for these things, we are praying for God’s reign to be present on earth. Believers are to be working for God’s reign and influence on this earth now, just as it is in heaven. He then said to pray for daily bread (v. 3, KJV). The term bread here involves more than just food. It is symbolic of all of our day-to-day needs. Jesus ended His petition by telling the disciples to pray for God’s protection and forgiveness. This text lets us know that to receive forgiveness, we must be willing to forgive others.

II. THE ATTITUDE IN WHICH ONE SHOULD PRAY

The second portion of our text in Luke focuses on perseverance in prayer. Jesus used two illustrations to demonstrate the fact that perseverance and persistence are important in prayer. He began with the story of one who knocks at a friend’s door for food at an