Key Bible Passage(s):

Rev.4:1-11; Matt.10:16-33; Matt.26:36-46; Heb.12:4-11

Tier 1:

Christ is the only One who can ‘naturally’ call God Father. He is THE Son (e.g.Matt.26:29 & 39). The rest of us can only approach God as Father insofar as we are caught up into that relationship, and that only as we receive the Spirit of adoption (Rom.8:15 & 23). Only then do we have conferred on us the right and the privilege to speak to God and of God as Father.

Tier 2:

When we learn to approach God as Father, we must be careful to avoid the trap of allowing our thinking about the Fatherhood of God to be limited by any human model of fatherhood. Even the best human father and the relationship they have with their children is inadequate to convey to us everything Jesus would have us know to be true as we bow before our God in prayer. The key rule is to let Scripture invest it with meaning… not our own experience, or even our hopes and desires.

Tier 3:

In teaching us to pray to God as ‘Our Father in heaven’, Jesus is holding before us a vision of God as Almighty (and so able to answer prayer), as holding all authority (and so free to answer our prayers), and as Someone who is adored. Our expereince of Jesus-taught prayer is born out of worship and confidence in the God we approach.

One of the most helpful books ever written on the subject of prayer. As well as three ‘Discourses’ exploring the nature of prayer, Matthew Henry - who also wrote a commentary on the whole Bible - develops a kind of topical index on how to pray in a way that is shaped and informed by Scripture.

This is not a book to be read ‘cover-to-cover’, but one to be referred to on a regular basis to help ensure that we are praying ‘according to His will’ (I John 5:14). There is a website dedicated to this book here.

God’s sovereignty does not negate our responsiblity to pray, but rather, makes it possible for us to pray with confidence.

Jerry Bridges

Groups Activities:

What do these passages teach us about the Fatherhood of God?

How do you think that might work out in our experience?

Sermon on the Mount (Matt.6 & 7:7-11)

Matt.10:16-33

Matt.26:36-46

Heb.12:4-11

depending on timing, you might want ot invite groups to feedback from their discussions.

at end of the session, spend some time praying strictly within the confines of what we have been discussing, celebrating and responding to our Father’s authority, and ability, and joining in the adoration of heaven.

Homework:

Over this half-term we have been working to memorise Matthew 6:5-15. You will have to keep refreshing Matt.5:1-16 whilst you do this.

(we’ll memorise the whole of the Sermon on the Mount over the next 3 years)

To Be A Christian: Q&A 165-171

Prepare for praying together through ‘Hallowed be your Name’

Over the next month:

Keep a note of when, what, how you pray throughout this month

When do I pray…?  ...or not pray?

Are there times when I’m praying more often?

What am I praying about…?  for…?

Are my prayers being answered?

This will not be shared.