As we kick off the New Year, Coastline chose to preach on Bold Prayers. Throughout God's Word we see God's people cry out to Him. This might look like a cry of gratitude or a cry for help. In the New Testament the one thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. They saw the dedication Jesus had and something in His prayer life drew them to want to model what He was doing. We too can learn from the example of Jesus in our prayer life. Not only can we learn from Jesus but we can learn from a humble king, a hurting widow, and many more in the Bible who called out to God. Each week, we’ve created small group questions designed to help people reflect deeply, apply personally, and grow spiritually. I’m sharing those questions here so others can benefit; whether you’re leading a small group, studying on your own, or learning to pray these questions are for you.
Small Group Questions | Persistent Prayer | Luke 18:1-8
We’re dedicating the entire month to studying prayer. The month of January can be a time where many people seek to make changes in their life and what better change can we make then spending more time communicating with God. Not only are we looking at what Scripture teaches on prayer but in Luke 18, Jesus teaches us about praying and never giving up. Studies show that only about 9% of people who set New Year’s resolutions actually stick with them through the year. In addition to that, 23% of resolution-makers quit within the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January. Instead of quitting, let’s study about prayer and learn to grow in spiritual maturity.
1) Neal shared a story about how he and his son prayed for God to give them a house with an avocado tree. God answered that prayer for them. What is a prayer you prayed, big or small, that God answered recently in your life?
2) Read Luke 18:1-3. Jesus taught the disciples to not give up in their prayer life. As you reflect on your Christian walk is there a prayer you gave up on? What caused you to stop praying for this certain thing?
3) Jesus taught the disciples to engage in continual prayer, not continuous prayer. Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Romans 12:12, and Ephesians 6:18. How do these verses invite us to be persistent in prayer in a way that’s realistic for everyday life?
4) Read Luke 18:4-5. The widow was so persistent in her request that the judge thought she would wear him out. Share with your group a prayer that you really want to see God answer and you are trusting the outcome to Him.
5) Read Luke 11:1-4. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Notice that Jesus said: “When you pray” not “if you pray.” How has this sermon series impacted your understanding and has it changed anything about how you pray?
6) Read Luke 18:6-8. God doesn’t ignore the requests of His people but will come to the aid of His people. Read 1 Samuel 1:9–20, Jonah 2:1–10 and Acts 12:5–17. When you read these instances of God working, how does that increase your faith?
7) At the end of our passage Jesus didn’t ask if we would be religious but if He would find faith when He returns. Read Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:17, and Mark 11:24. What do these verses teach us about how faith grows as we continue to pray, even when answers don’t come in our desired timeframe?
Close your time in prayer asking God to give you a persistent prayer life.
