The Widow and the Unjust Judge Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock The Widow and the Unjust Judge Lesson 7

Lesson Outline Introduction A. Contest of Wills B. Lesson Background Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. Contest of Wills B. Lesson Background

Overcoming Hopelessness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Overcoming Hopelessness Consider the following quote by Warren Wiersbe, a famous minister: “Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome.” 519388062 Photo: © Kieferpix / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © Kieferpix / iStock / Thinkstock

Overcoming Hopelessness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Overcoming Hopelessness “Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change.” Why do people get stuck thinking that there’s nothing that they can do to change their situation? Click to add notes Photo: © Kieferpix / iStock / Thinkstock

Overcoming Hopelessness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Overcoming Hopelessness “We need to remind ourselves that God can change things.” Why does believing that God can make a difference give some people the energy to take the next, most responsible small step? Click to add notes Photo: © Kieferpix / iStock / Thinkstock

Overcoming Hopelessness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Overcoming Hopelessness “Outlook determines outcome.” In what ways does God call us to participate in the change He wants to create in our lives? Today’s lesson focuses on a parable that illustrates the importance of persevering with the Lord in prayer. Click to add notes Photo: © Kieferpix / iStock / Thinkstock

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. Parable (Luke 18:1-5) A. Particular Purpose (v. 1) B. Pompous Judge (v. 2) C. Persistent Widow (v. 3) D. Promising Perspective (vv. 4, 5)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Let’s consider the two main characters in Jesus’ parable to understand why they acted as they did. 476830016 Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 8

Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Why did the woman come to see the judge in the first place? She had an “adversary” who had mistreated her. She wanted the judge to give her justice. Click to add notes Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 9

Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. When he refused to help her, why did she keep coming? She was determined to receive the justice she asked for. She was not going to give up until he did as she requested. Click to add notes Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 10

Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Did the judge help her because of the kind of person he was? No, he did not fear God nor care what people think. Did the judge help her because of who she was? No, she was a lowly widow, and he had no interest in giving her justice. Click to add notes Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 11

Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Why did the judge help her? Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Why did the judge help her? He knew that if he didn’t, she would keep on bothering him. He just wanted to get rid of her. Click to add notes Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 12

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? If you were to discuss persistent prayer with someone who models it, what would you want to learn regarding his or her motivations? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding intercessory prayer Regarding prayers of praise and worship Regarding prayers of petition Regarding prayers of thanksgiving 13

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. Principles (Luke 18:6-8) A. Affirming God’s Justice (vv. 6-8a) B. Asking a Question (v. 8b)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Now, let’s consider who the Lord is and why we should persist in bringing Him our requests. Click to add notes Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 15

Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:6-8. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:6-8. How is the Lord different from the judge? The judge was unjust. The Lord is righteous and cares about justice. He has compassion on the people who come to Him with their requests. He will not delay His answer unnecessarily. Click to add notes Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 16

Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:6-8. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:6-8. Why should our prayers be even more persistent than the requests of the widow? We are coming before a just and merciful God. We can trust the Lord to hear and answer our prayers. Our faith compels us to keep asking. Click to add notes Photo: © Serggn / iStock / Thinkstock® 17

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How did a time of persistence in prayer result in your spiritual growth? Talking Points for Your Discussion In ways unseen to others In ways seen to others but personal to you In ways others could see and learn from 18

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How does (or should) God’s concern for justice influence how you pray? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding prayers for yourself Regarding prayers for your church Regarding prayers for your nation 19

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? Without giving advice, how would you counsel someone who struggles in prayer waiting for God’s help? Talking Points for Your Discussion Considering the person’s level of spiritual maturity Considering the nature of the need Considering appropriate and inappropriate use of Romans 8:23; etc. 20

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. Prayer in a Weary World B. Justice as a Burning Issue C. Revelation as an Insightful Help D. Prayer E. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Persistent Prayer If an unjust judge was willing to help a widow he didn’t care about because of her persistence, how much more is our loving God willing to help us when we continue to bring our requests to Him? When a prayer goes unanswered, how long are you willing to keep praying? 522403165 Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® 22

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Persistent Prayer George Müller was a man of prayer and a man of faith. In November 1844, he began to pray for the conversion of five individuals. He prayed for them every day, whether he was sick or healthy, on land or sea, no matter how busy he was. Click to add notes Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® 23

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Persistent Prayer After 18 months, the first of the five was converted. He thanked God and kept praying. Five years elapsed, and the second was converted. He thanked God and kept praying. Another six years passed before the third was converted. He thanked God and kept praying. Click to add notes Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® 24

Persistent Prayer The last two remained unconverted. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Persistent Prayer The last two remained unconverted. After 35 years, George wrote the following: “I have been praying day by day for nearly 36 years for the conversion of these individuals, and yet they remain unconverted. But I hope in God, I pray on, and look yet for the answer.” “They are not converted yet, but they will be.” Click to add notes Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® 25

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Persistent Prayer At George Müller’s death, after 52 years of praying daily, those two men, sons of a friend of Mr. Müller’s youth, were not converted. But after his death, God brought both men into the fold. Story taken from the book George Muller: Man of Faith and Miracles, by Basil Miller (Minneapolis: Zondervan, 1941), p. 146. Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® 26

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Persistent Prayer If George Muller could keep praying daily for 52 years for the salvation of two friends, why should we stop praying when God doesn’t answer our prayers right away? What is the longest you have prayed about something that is still unanswered? Will you keep praying? Click to add notes Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® 27

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How did you grow spiritually during a time when you prayed for God to change your circumstances, but He ended up changing you instead? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding patience Regarding how you view circumstances Other 28

Horizontal Visual Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Horizontal Visual

Thought to Remember Prayer is a plea to the highest court of appeals. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember Prayer is a plea to the highest court of appeals.

Entering God’s Kingdom Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson Entering God’s Kingdom