Are You Listening, God? (Pentecost 19C Gospel)

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Pentecost 19 C Gospel.

Text: Luke 18:1-8 for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Series C

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

1. Hear about our obligation to pray always, being persistent and persevering in prayer, in spite of temptations.
2. Learn not to judge God when He delays an answer to our prayers.
3. See the contrast of an unrighteous judge and our loving and just God, whose aim is not only to do justice but to show His mercy to us.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Bible

GROUP GUIDELINES

Break the group into smaller groups of 3-4 people.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

1. Share with your group a moment in your life that you thought someone was unfair to you? What did you do about it?
2. Share with your group a prayer request that has not been answered by God? Did you give up praying about it? Do you think there is something wrong with you or God because you are not getting them answered?

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

Read Luke 18:1-8.

1. What did Jesus tell the disciples?
2. What is Jesus illustrating with this parable about the women and the judge? What does He tell us about the judge? What does He tell us about the woman?
3. How do you compare the judge in Luke 18:1-10 to the just and loving God? Is God’s judgement based on justice or mercy? Explain.
4. Verse 8 tells us how God will judge. What comfort do you find in this promise by Jesus?
5. How do you respond to Jesus’ question, “But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when He comes?” Why do you think Jesus asked this question?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

Now that you have learned that our God is righteous, and His aim is not only to do justice but, to show His mercy to us, how does this strengthen your relationship with Christ?

What does this parable teach us about prayer? Is God’s motive, cause or reason for delay the same as the judge in Luke 18:1-8.

CLOSING

Close with a prayer of thanksgiving and/or sing the Doxology.

By Roberto Rojas

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies.

Updated for youthESource in October 2016