- Why did Jesus pray out loud in John 11:41-42?
- As you read Jesus’ promises about prayer, what is the impression you get? How would you summarize Jesus’ message? (Matthew 7:7; 18:19-20, Mark 11:22-24; John 15:7)
- Why do you think Jesus insists on us forgiving others? (Mark 11:25 cf. Matthew 6:14-15)
- Why did Jesus choose “a grain of mustard seed” to illustrate His point in Matthew 17:19-20?
- Matthew 17:19-20 and Mark 11:22-24 have similar wording and promises. Do these promises apply to you, and if so, why?
- What gives us confidence for approaching God in prayer? (Matthew 26:26-28; Hebrews 10:19-22)
- What decisive action will you take now, as a result of this lesson?
EXTRA REFERENCES AND NOTES
Suppose that, for your own purposes, you want to look up other Scriptures related to this lesson. In that case, you may wish to start with Thanks and Access to God along with the topics mentioned in the lesson, Jesus Shows Us That Prayer Should Be Sure 1.
Thanks OT Levitical worship emphasized thanksgiving Leviticus 22:29; 1 Chronicles 16:4-8,41; 25:3; 29:13; 2 Chronicles 30:22; 31:2; Nehemiah 11:17; 12:24. “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” Psalm 9:1-2. See also 1 Chronicles 16:34-36; 2 Chronicles 7:3; Ezra 3:11; Psalm 26:6-7; 35:18; 50:23; 57:9; 75:1; 79:13; 86:12; 95:2; 100:4; 106:1; 111:1; 118:19-21,28-29; 136:1-4; 145:10; Isaiah 12:1-6; 38:19; 51:3; Daniel 2:23; 6:10; Jonah 2:9. NT Examples Luke 2:38; 17:16; Acts 27:35; 28:15; Romans 1:8,21; 6:7; 7:25; 14:6; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 10:16; 14:18; 15:57; 2 Corinthians 1:11; 2:14-15; 4:15; 8:16; 9:11-15; Ephesians 1:16; 5:4,20; Philippians 1:3; 4:6,20; Colossians 1:3,12; 2:7; 3:15-17; 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2:13; 3:9; 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2:1; 4:3-5; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 4:9; 7:12; 11:17. See Praises (in the lesson – Jesus Shows Us That Prayer Should Be Sincere 1, segment Thought Questions, Extra References and Notes), Specifics (in the lesson – Jesus Shows Us That Prayer Should Be Sincere 1, segment Thought Questions, Extra References and Notes).
Access to God OT The book of Job, one of the Bible’s oldest accounts, suggests the importance of animal sacrifices for prayer to be effective Job 1:5; 42:8-9. The books of Moses show sin as blocking access to God, and animal sacrifices as necessary for removing the barrier. Leviticus 17:11 states the principle: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” This helps to explain why Abraham first built an altar, then called on God Genesis 12:7-8; 13:4, 18. It also explains the vital role of sacrifices, and the priests who mediated them, in the Law of Moses Exodus 29:36; Leviticus 4:20, 26, 35; 16:6-34. In these and about 100 passages, the term for restoring fellowship with God is “atoning,” “atonement,” etc. The atoning sacrifice brought “forgiveness” Leviticus 19:22; Numbers 15:22-28, giving access to the holy God. The OT also hinted that animals were not effective Psalm 40:6; 50:8; Micah 6:6-7. It pointed ahead to God’s Servant who would become the “offering for guilt” that removes sins and gives peace with God Isaiah 53:1-12. NT For the concept of atonement, the NT tends to use terms like “reconcile” (to restore relationship, to make friends) and “propitiate” (to appease, to satisfy God’s just anger against sin, and so to make peace). Here we find the reality to which the Old Testament’s rituals and animal sacrifices were pointing. Jesus is the Lamb that takes sins away John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7. He is the true High Priest who offers Himself as the sacrifice Hebrews 9:25-28; 10:10 and intercedes for us Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; 1 John 2:1-2. His blood and death give us forgiveness Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25; 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20; Revelation 1:5; 5:9. We enter into His death, burial and resurrection through immersion “calling on His name” Acts 22:16 cf. “appeal” Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21. The result of Christ’s work is perfect salvation: “By a single offering He has perfected [us] for all time” Hebrews 10:14 cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21. These truths make us confident, a major theme of Hebrews Hebrews 3:6, 14; 7:19, 25; 10:19-23; 12:22-23; 13:6. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need Hebrews 4:16. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” Hebrews 10:22. Paul reasons, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32.