CONNECT: How can you keep your focus on the hope of the kingdom of God?

WARM-UP

1. Have you ever been constantly and repeatedly asked for something? How did you react?
2. In what context does Jesus tell this parable? What have the past two weeks been about?

READ Luke 18:1-5

1. What is the purpose of parables in general? What is this parable about? What does Jesus want his disciples to do?
2. How does the judge act? What is his character like?
3. Read 2 Chr. 19:6-7. What were the requirements for the judges of Israel under king Jehoshaphat? How does this judge line up to these requirements?
4. What was the status of widows in the first century? What did this widow have to do in order to receive any sort of justice or help?
5. Why did the judge eventually act on the widow’s request?
6. Where do we see similar judges or people in authority like this today? What is our hope even in the midst of great injustices?

READ Luke 18:6-8

1. What is the shape of the argument of the parable? Why does Jesus want us to particularly note what the unjust judge says?
2. What is the nature of the comments of the judge? How is God different to this?
3. What are common worldly perceptions of justice? What are common worldly views of the judgement of God? What does the bible say about God’s justice?
4. How is our status before God different to the status of that of the widow’s before the judge? How does God respond when we cry out to him?
5. How should both the character of God and our status before God shape our prayer life? How is persistent prayer different to nagging or pestering?
6. Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. What does Jesus mean by saying that justice will come quickly?
7. What can cause you to become disheartened in your prayer life? What trends can you notice (if any!)? How could you reshape or refuel your prayer time and time with God?

APPLY: How could you (as a group) help each other pray and not give up?

On Your Frontline This Week: How are you going to be available in the busyness of life for gospel conversations?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “Faith in the King” by William Taylor:
• AUDIO: “A Parable on Prayer” by Alistair Begg:
• AUDIO: “Luke 17-18” by Gary Millar:
• AUDIO: “When You Pray” by Simon Manchester:

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
  https://bit.ly/39w5Ggk
• FOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf
• WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ
• BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy
• BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright
• Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
  https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)