Introduction // 5 minutes
What habits does your significant other have that drive you crazy?
Leader Note: Use roommates, co-worker, family member or friends those not currently in a relationship.
Observation // 10 minutes
Read Luke 18:1-8
What do you learn about the Judge?
Sample Answers May Include…
- He doesn’t know God (v2)
- He is compassionless (v2)
- He is motivated to action by his own selfish desires (v4)
What do you learn about the widow?
Sample Answers May Include…
- She’s in a desperate situation where someone is opposing her (v3)
- She has nowhere else to turn for help (v3)
- He has power (v3)
- People come to him for help (v3)
- She is extremely persistent (v3)
Commentary: Widows are identified throughout scripture as hopeless, vulnerable, and poor. They stand in isolation without rights, with no advocate or anyone to provide for them. (Exodus 22:2-24, Isaiah 1:17, 1 Timothy 5:3, James 1:27)
Understanding // 20 minutes
What is the difference between this judge and our God?
Leader Note: The judge has no honor; he is unrighteous and lacks compassion. He appears to be annoyed with her request, has no time for her. He finally acts but only to appease himself. While he has power to “fix” certain things he does so in a disengaged and self-seeking manner. God on the other hand is involved with us. He is compassionate, righteous, kind and full of love. God is more than a “problem fixer.” He is someone that we can trust in. He is quick to act, gracious and just.
Why is it important to understand the difference?
Leader Note: If we view God as a (this) judge we may conclude that He doesn’t have time for us and that He only answers our request when He has something to gain by it. We may also come to believe that God can be persuaded by our hopeless begging versus our prayers that our full of faith. This judge is distant and is viewed as someone that we get something out of while our God is near and is someone we come to know. God is not a means to an end for us. He is our creator and sustainer and He desires to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:7-11).
What do we have in common with the widow? What’s different?
Leader Note: We are both helpless and incapable of rescuing ourselves. We need the saving power of someone to intervene and make us whole. Lead your group to see that the most crucial difference is in whom we cry out to for help! We do not have a bad judge and we are not alone. We have a loving Father who is not annoyed by our cries but draws near to us with His loving kindness. God, although moved by our faith and persistence, does not ask us to beg or make deals. He asks us to prayer to Him, to let go of worry and trust in His peace, which will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-8).
Application // 25 minutes
What in your life are you currently concerned about?
Where are you turning to with that concern?
How might you be more persistent or serious in seeking God’s help?
Leader Note: Lead your group to see that God has called us all to a persistent, faith filled relationship of prayer (Luke 11:8-13).
What happens when we pray?
Sample Answers May Include…
- Shifts our perspective
- Teaches us more abut surrender
- Aligns our hearts with God’s heart
- Gain more insight into what I am praying about
- Teaches us to hear God’s voice
- Gives us hope
- Builds relationship
- Calls to remembrance the ways we’ve seen God work
- Prayer gives peace
- Keeps us from temptation
- Extends God’s power to us
- Right sizes God and right sizes our problems
Live It Out // 10 minutes
How might your increased relationship with God in prayer affect those around you?
Prayer: Father we thank you that we are no longer widows or orphans but have become your sons and daughters. We thank you that you are not far off but are near and intimately involved in each of our lives. Help us by your spirit to prayer to you wither greater faith, power and consistency. Teach us to be concerned about the things hat you are concerned about and help us to grow in our dependence on you when we face the difficulties of this life. Be with us, guide us and have your way in us we pray… Amen.