Weekly Discussion Guide

GROUP DISCUSSION
1. Open with prayer. (2-5 min)
2. Share your story: Describe an answer to prayer that took at least three years to manifest. (7-10 min)
3. Read Luke 18:1-8
4. Discuss these questions with your group. (20-45 min)

[Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. (Luke 18:1)

What might cause a person to get discouraged after asking God for something reasonable over a period of several years?

He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” (Luke 18:2-5)

How is God like the unjust judge? How is He different? Are we supposed to keep bringing the same request to God until He gives us a concrete answer? Explain.

And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ (Luke 18:6-8)

If we are confident that God will have the final word on all matters of injustice, what does this parable tell us about faith and faithfulness in the process?

LIVING IN 4D
Are you waiting for vindication for an injustice that you or someone you care about has experienced? How do you wait well in that space?