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What would Jesus do? How would Jesus respond? Where would Jesus focus His efforts, invest His time, draw the line, or take a different path? We live in a world of complex situations where many people have a platform and offer opinions, but fewer people have a filter and understand wisdom. In a world flooded with opinions, theories, and suggestions, is it possible to clearly see the way of Christ?
In this series, we will examine Jesus’ perspective on a variety of topics. We’ll walk with our Rabbi through some of His pivotal teachings that impact key parts of life. We’ll learn what faithfulness looks like as we explore the teachings Jesus shared, the character He showed, and the example He set. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, the truths of Scripture and the path of wisdom will come into sharper focus. Join us for Jesus On Prayer.
May 22, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)
Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4
Key Concept: Our prayers are more __ when we think God first, others second, and me third.
How do we start praying with focus and intensity on God’s kingdom and God’s will?
1) Make the goal of your life to __ God.
2) Keep __ everything to God.
3) Pray as He __.
Go where the Spirit __ you and pray __.
Three ways our prayers become self-centered instead of
God-centered:
These prayers place our comfort at the center of God’s activity in the world.
These prayers confuse selfish desires with concern for others.
Not all prayer requests are directed to God. Sometimes we pray “at” others.
Homework/Reflection:
1) Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you every time your prayers turn selfish.
2) Ask God to use this message series to revive, enhance, and strengthen each person’s prayer life.
May 29, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)
Luke 11:5-13
Key Truth: God uses persistent prayer to __ His work around us and __ His work in us.
Some parables teach by __, others by __.
How does persistent prayer deepen His work in us?
When we persist in prayer, God deepens our __ of prayer. (vv. 5-8)
Persistence causes us to process everything through a grid of
__. Here are several parts to that grid:
– Am I a __ of Jesus? (Luke 11:1)
– Am I living in obedience to God? (1 John 3:22)
– Are my __ right? (James 4:3)
– Am I praying in submission to God’s will? (1 John 5:14)
When we persist in prayer, God deepens our __ with Him. (vv. 9-10)
When we continually ask God (for a __), and seek God (to know Him deeply), and knock before God (to __ with Him)—it leads to greater levels of intimacy with God.
When we persist in prayer, God deepens our __ of God’s character. (vv. 11-13)
When we persist in prayer, God deepens our understanding of “__.” (v. 13)
Good is good because God __ it to be so. Sometimes we struggle with God’s answers because we’re defining “good” from our perspective.
June 05, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)
Mark 11:15-24; Matthew 21:18-22
Jesus uses the cursing of the fig tree to illustrate two
types of condemnation:
1) He condemns __ without fulfillment.
2) He condemns profession without __.
What did Jesus teach the disciples about faith and prayer?
(vv. 21-22)
When our faith is FIRST in God, we trust that His answers are right, His __ is perfect, His will is good, and His way is best.
God’s __ should not distract us from God.
We cannot doubt God’s __ and expect to walk
in God’s __.
Reflection:
What mountain do you need God to remove?
Sit down at the feet of Jesus, lean in, and listen again to His advice: “Have faith in God.”
When God promises, God __.
June 12, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series)
Mark 11:25-26
So far, we’ve studied six issues that Jesus said will hurt our effectiveness in prayer. Today, we add the seventh.
1) __ (Matthew 6:5)
2) Pride (Matthew 6:5-6)
3) Meaningless repetition (Matthew 6:7)
4) __ (Matthew 6:9-13)
5) Lack of persistence (Luke 11:5-10)
6) Doubt (Mark 11:21-24)
7) __ (Mark 11:25-26)
Key Truth: An unforgiving spirit reveals a __ spiritual state and hurts our __ in prayer.
Question 1: As a Christian, is my forgiveness before God contingent upon my forgiveness of others?
(Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)
Question 2: How do I know if I’ve really
forgiven someone?
(Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 10:17; Ephesians 4:32)
To forgive is to __ someone, to release them from a debt, or to __ an obligation.
Question 3: Are other sins connected to unforgiveness (holding a grudge)?
Question 4: When I choose not to forgive, what am I really saying?
Question 5: What if I can’t forgive myself?
Conclusion/Reflection:
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” – Marianne Williamson
June 19, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)
John 14:12-14
Big Truth: Jesus gives believers authority to ask for anything in
accordance with His __, the Father’s will, and God’s __.
There is a correlation between great __ warriors and great __ givers.
What is the significance of praying “in His name”?
To ask in Jesus’ name means to represent that person (their __, their character, and even their __).
Scripture has much to say about what we access in the name of Jesus. There is…
There are 3 things people can do with the name of Christ.
1) People __ His name.
2) People __ His name.
3) People __ His name.
To bear someone’s name comes through 3 primary ways:
birth, __, or adoption
June 26, 2022 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)
Matthew 6:5-6
The part of our prayer life that no one __ should be disproportionately __ than the part everyone sees.
What was the context to which Jesus was speaking?
1) Jesus addressed a culture where prayer had become very __.
2) Jesus addressed a culture with structured prayers for many __.
3) Jesus addressed a culture that connected prayer with certain __ (especially the temple or synagogue).
4) Jesus addressed a culture that elevated __ prayers.
5) Jesus addressed a culture that valued excessive __.
6) Jesus addressed a culture where some people were praying in order to be __.
There are a lot of prayers that travel __ instead of __.
Prayer is __ with God.
Key Concept: Secret prayer requires __ for the purpose of __.
God’s presence makes the __ — __.
Reflection: Is God prompting you to make changes in your prayer life?
