The Persistent Widow

We are all faced with circumstances and seasons in life when we want to throw in the towel.

KEY VERSES

Luke 18:1-8 (NASB)

1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’” 4 For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, 5 yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge said; 7 now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

UNDERSTANDING

  • Pastor Jeff mentioned several examples of persistence that paid off, like Abraham Lincoln, Harold “Kentucky Fried Chicken” Sanders, the Wright Brothers, and Walt Disney. When
    you think about your life—past, present, or future—do you relate more in attitude to those guys or to the story of boxer Roberto Duran, who after eight rounds in the ring with Sugar Ray Leonard, held his hands up and said, “No mas”?

  • Have you experienced a season when you prayed repeatedly for something over a long period of time, but didn’t get an answer? If so, how did you respond?

  • What are some common frustrations and questions that come to mind when our prayers aren’t answered as quickly as we’d like?

  • Have you ever persisted in prayer for years over the same request? How would you describe the experience? What motivated you to persist in prayer?

  • According to verse 1, and Pastor Jeff’s sermon, what is the clear point of this parable?

  • How was the judge described in this passage? Why is his character relevant to the point of the parable?

  • What characteristics did the widow display? What did she ask for?

  • Have you ever sought justice in a situation that was beyond your control? If so, how would you describe the experience?

  • What basis did the widow have to wait in hope for the judge to answer her?

  • How is God unlike the judge in this parable? How does this give us comfort in times of extended waiting and seeming delay by God?

  • Why did the judge finally decide to grant the widow’s request?

  • Why do you think Jesus used an illustration of an unjust judge in contrast to a loving heavenly Father in making a point about prayer?

  • Jesus assured His followers that God will not delay long over the requests of His people but will answer them quickly. How do we reconcile this with the very real periods of waiting we experience?

APPLICATION

  • Pastor Jeff gave the following four principles as a way of applying this parable to our lives: 1. The most fundamental component of prayer is to be a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. 2. We will never understand prayer without a knowledge of the character of God. 3. The persistence with which we pray demonstrates our faithfulness, not God’s frugality. 4. Maintain persistence in prayer. Which of these four principles stands out to you most today? Explain.

  • Give some examples of people throughout the Bible who experienced extended
    periods of waiting. How did God use waiting in those people’s lives to lead to greater perseverance and dependence on Him? How can remembrance of these examples give us encouragement in our waiting?

  • What are you currently waiting on God for? Do you really believe that the Lord can answer what you are waiting on? How does this passage challenge you in that situation?

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