Lesson Review

Last week we learnt about praying every day and we heard ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. We heard how Jesus taught His disciples and us to pray by praising Him, forgiving those who do wrong to us and even asking for our daily needs.

Introduction

• In our lives, we have different daily needs and we repeatedly turn to people for help. E.g. our parents/guardians, siblings, friends, extended family members, teachers and neighbours.
• In today’s story, we are going to learn about how God answers and gives good gifts to those He loves.

Bible Story

• Lesson: Luke 11:5-13 – (Good News Bible Version). Appoint one child to read out loud

• “And Jesus said to His disciples, “Suppose one of you should go to a friend’s house at midnight and say, ‘Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. A friend of mine who is on a trip has just come to my house,
  and I don’t have any food for him!’ And suppose your friend should answer from inside, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ Well, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not ashamed to keep on asking. And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

• Think of a time when you prayed and did not receive an answer immediately. How did you feel? What did you do about it? Did you continue to trust God even when you did not receive what you prayed for? Our Bible story today has encouragement for us when we find ourselves in this position. It teaches us that:
  1. We should never stop praying: Jesus said to His disciples, “Even though your friend, would not get up
  and give what you ask if you don’t give up; and keep on asking over and over again. He will finally, give in and give you whatever you need.” In the same way, we should persist in prayer. We should keep knocking – keep praying and never stop praying and our heavenly Father will answer us. Never stop praying for the people you love to know Jesus. Never stop praying for God to provide for you and those who don’t have. Never stop praying for God to help our leaders and take corruption away from our country. Never stop praying for all those good things that are in line with God’s will.
  2. We should always pray and tell God the desires of our hearts: Jesus taught that earthly fathers are faithful to give their children whatever they ask for. We can trust God to give us the desires of our hearts because He is more faithful than our earthly fathers. A father never gives their child a snake when they ask for fish or a scorpion when they ask for an egg. And God, our heavenly Father is even more loving and faithful and can be trusted at all times. We should never be shy to tell God what we desire when we pray because He answers our prayers.
  3. God is concerned about our needs so He hears and answers our prayers: Whatever our needs are if they are in line with God’s goodwill, He is willing to grant us when we ask because He is concerned about our wellbeing. He is able to give us good gifts. God gives us what is best for us and has already given us the Holy Spirit to guide, support us in trouble and be our comforter.

Lesson Application

Think of some things you have been praying for and share them with your closest friend or parent/guardian, and pray together in faith. Remember, when God answers your prayer, remember to give God thanks.

Activity

Hand out papers and have the children write down their prayer items and keep them safe, then when God answers them, they can tick the prayer off and remember that God hears and answers prayers.

Discussion Questions

1. What should we do if we pray to God and we seem not to receive an answer? We should pray over and over again. We should not give up. This means we go back to God and ask Him again expectantly and persistently as long as our prayer is not selfish and is in line with God’s will.
2. How often or on what occasions should we pray? We should pray at all times and tell God about everything.