1. The Widow and the Unjust Judge
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The Widow and the Unjust Judge
Lesson 7

2. Lesson Outline Introduction A. Contest of Wills B. Lesson Background
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Lesson Outline
Introduction A. Contest of Wills B. Lesson Background

3. Overcoming Hopelessness
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Overcoming Hopelessness
Consider the following quote by Warren Wiersbe, a famous minister:
“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome.”
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Photo: © Kieferpix / iStock / Thinkstock

4. Overcoming Hopelessness
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Overcoming Hopelessness
“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change.”
Why do people get stuck thinking that there’s nothing that they can do to change their situation?
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5. Overcoming Hopelessness
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Overcoming Hopelessness
“We need to remind ourselves that God can change things.”
Why does believing that God can make a difference give some people the energy to take the next, most responsible small step?
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6. Overcoming Hopelessness
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Overcoming Hopelessness
“Outlook determines outcome.”
In what ways does God call us to participate in the change He wants to create in our lives?
Today’s lesson focuses on a parable that illustrates the importance of persevering with the Lord in prayer.
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7. Copyright © 2017
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Lesson Outline
I. Parable (Luke 18:1-5) A. Particular Purpose (v. 1) B. Pompous Judge (v. 2) C. Persistent Widow (v. 3) D. Promising Perspective (vv. 4, 5)

8. Copyright © 2017
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Why Keep Asking?
Let’s consider the two main characters in Jesus’ parable to understand why they acted as they did.
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9. Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5.
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Why Keep Asking?
Read Luke 18:1-5.
Why did the woman come to see the judge in the first place?
She had an “adversary” who had mistreated her.
She wanted the judge to give her justice.
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10. Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5.
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Why Keep Asking?
Read Luke 18:1-5.
When he refused to help her, why did she keep coming?
She was determined to receive the justice she asked for.
She was not going to give up until he did as she requested.
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11. Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5.
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Why Keep Asking?
Read Luke 18:1-5.
Did the judge help her because of the kind of person he was?
No, he did not fear God nor care what people think.
Did the judge help her because of who she was?
No, she was a lowly widow, and he had no interest in giving her justice.
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12. Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:1-5. Why did the judge help her?
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Why Keep Asking?
Read Luke 18:1-5.
Why did the judge help her?
He knew that if he didn’t, she would keep on bothering him.
He just wanted to get rid of her.
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13. Copyright © 2017
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What Do You Think?
If you were to discuss persistent prayer with someone who models it, what would you want to learn regarding his or her motivations? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Regarding intercessory prayer
Regarding prayers of praise and worship
Regarding prayers of petition
Regarding prayers of thanksgiving 13

14. Copyright © 2017
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Lesson Outline
II. Principles (Luke 18:6-8) A. Affirming God’s Justice (vv. 6-8a) B. Asking a Question (v. 8b)

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Why Keep Asking?
Now, let’s consider who the Lord is and why we should persist in bringing Him our requests.
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16. Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:6-8.
Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Why Keep Asking?
Read Luke 18:6-8.
How is the Lord different from the judge?
The judge was unjust. The Lord is righteous and cares about justice.
He has compassion on the people who come to Him with their requests.
He will not delay His answer unnecessarily.
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17. Why Keep Asking? Read Luke 18:6-8.
Copyright © 2017
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part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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Why Keep Asking?
Read Luke 18:6-8.
Why should our prayers be even more persistent than the requests of the widow?
We are coming before a just and merciful God.
We can trust the Lord to hear and answer our prayers.
Our faith compels us to keep asking.
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18. Copyright © 2017
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What Do You Think?
How did a time of persistence in prayer result in your spiritual growth?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In ways unseen to others
In ways seen to others but personal to you
In ways others could see and learn from 18

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What Do You Think?
How does (or should) God’s concern for justice influence how you pray?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Regarding prayers for yourself
Regarding prayers for your church
Regarding prayers for your nation 19

20. Copyright © 2017
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What Do You Think?
Without giving advice, how would you counsel someone who struggles in prayer waiting for God’s help?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Considering the person’s level of spiritual maturity
Considering the nature of the need
Considering appropriate and inappropriate use of Romans 8:23; etc. 20

21. Copyright © 2017
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Lesson Outline
Conclusion A. Prayer in a Weary World B. Justice as a Burning Issue C. Revelation as an Insightful Help D. Prayer E. Thought to Remember

22. Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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Persistent Prayer
If an unjust judge was willing to help a widow he didn’t care about because of her persistence, how much more is our loving God willing to help us when we continue to bring our requests to Him?
When a prayer goes unanswered, how long are you willing to keep praying?
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Photo: © ChristianChan / iStock / Thinkstock® 22

23. Copyright © 2017
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Colorado 80918
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Persistent Prayer
George Müller was a man of prayer and a man of faith.
In November 1844, he began to pray for the conversion of five individuals.
He prayed for them every day, whether he was sick or healthy, on land or sea, no matter how busy he was.
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Persistent Prayer
After 18 months, the first of the five was converted. He thanked God and kept praying.
Five years elapsed, and the second was converted. He thanked God and kept praying.
Another six years passed before the third was converted. He thanked God and kept praying.
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25. Persistent Prayer The last two remained unconverted.
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Persistent Prayer
The last two remained unconverted.
After 35 years, George wrote the following: “I have been praying day by day for nearly 36 years for the conversion of these individuals, and yet they remain unconverted. But I hope in God, I pray on, and look yet for the answer.”
“They are not converted yet, but they will be.”
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26. Copyright © 2017
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Persistent Prayer
At George Müller’s death, after 52 years of praying daily, those two men, sons of a friend of Mr. Müller’s youth, were not converted.
But after his death, God brought both men into the fold.
Story taken from the book George Muller: Man of Faith and Miracles, by Basil Miller (Minneapolis: Zondervan, 1941), p. 146.
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27. Copyright © 2017
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Persistent Prayer
If George Muller could keep praying daily for 52 years for the salvation of two friends, why should we stop praying when God doesn’t answer our prayers right away?
What is the longest you have prayed about something that is still unanswered?
Will you keep praying?
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28. Copyright © 2017
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family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
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What Do You Think?
How did you grow spiritually during a time when you prayed for God to change your circumstances, but He ended up changing you instead?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Regarding patience
Regarding how you view circumstances
Other 28

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Horizontal Visual

30. Thought to Remember Prayer is a plea to the highest court of appeals.
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Thought to Remember
Prayer is a plea to the highest court of appeals.

31. Entering God’s Kingdom
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Next Week’s Lesson
Entering God’s Kingdom