The Parables of Jesus - Part 11 [Notes]

Jesus was a master storyteller, and He constantly used short stories or parables to communicate spiritual truths to the crowds that gathered to hear Him. When Jesus' disciples asked why He spoke in parables so often, His answer was profound. He said that the same stories that served to open the eyes of the spiritually hungry would have the effect of blinding the eyes of those who refused to believe. By telling parables, the secrets of the kingdom would be revealed to Jesus' disciples, but they would be hidden from His opponents.

Join us this week as we dive into some of Jesus's most memorable stories through our new summer series, "The Parables of Jesus."

Today's Takeaway // Don't give up in prayer.

He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:
– Luke 18:1 (HCSB)

He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged: “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect man. And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ “For awhile he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect man, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’” Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay to help them? I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?”
– Luke 18:1-8 (HCSB)

For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect man, yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’”
– Luke 18:4-5 (HCSB)

Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay to help them? I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?”
– Luke 18:6-8 (HCSB)

He also said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
– Luke 11:5-8 (HCSB)

The visitor would have been the guest, not only of the individual and his family, but of the whole community. This placed a great responsibility both on the traveler’s host and on the friend he approached at midnight.
– Liefeld

“So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
– Luke 11:9-10 (HCSB)

1. Why do you think people don’t pray as much as they should?
2. Read Luke 11:9-13 and James 4:1-4. Why do you think God sometimes says no to the specific requests we present to Him? How can we learn to pray according to the will of God?
3. Read Luke 18:1-8. How are we unlike the widow in this story? How is God unlike the judge in this story?
4. What is wrong with saying we need to pester God until he answers our prayer requests?
5. Can you think of an example where you gave up praying for something because you concluded your prayers were “working?” What happened, and why did you quit praying? Why do you think we don’t persevere in prayer?
6. How might you apply today’s lesson to your life?

Praise You Anywhere // You Keep Hope Alive // Same God // Joy in the Morning

Each week, a new devotional will be available. This devotional is based on the previous Sunday's message, and it aims to take the message further and help you dive deeper into the topic. You can find the devotionals at the link, or sign up to receive weekly emails.

You can watch or listen to past messages online!

Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity—we cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.