Lesson 2: Discipleship 101 (Assurance of Answered Prayer)
Welcome to the lesson 2: Assurance of Answered Prayer. Remember because you believe in God's son, Jesus Christ you have eternal life. Now let's look at this lesson's verse to memorize:
John 16:24 - "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Another attack of Satan may be to cause you to doubt the effectiveness of prayer. He may whisper to you, "God couldn't possibly be interested in you, He's far away and surely He don't hear your prayers-much less answer them!" But with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you have the unique privilege of speaking directly with your heavenly Father through Him.
In this verse Jesus was talking to his disciples the night before His crucifixion. He did not tell them they had never asked for anything in prayer before but that they had not asked in His name. You probably prayed many times, especially when in trouble, but as a believer in Christ you can ask in Jesus name, because you now belong to Him. To ask in His name means to ask in His authority and on His merit. Just as the father answered Jesus' prayer every time so He will answer you when you ask in Jesus' name. Now let's explore this new promise, memorize the verse, apply its truth and experience the joy of answered prayer.
What is prayer? Communicating with the Father through His son, Jesus Christ. Therefore we should pray in the name of Jesus Christ knowing the results are that we will receive and our joy will be complete.
I. "Until Now You Have Not Asked For Anything In My Name" What does Jesus teach about prayer in Matthew 7:7-8? In studying this verse we see we are to Ask, Search, and Knock. Ask and it will be given to you, Seek, and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened to you.
a. What are some conditions for answered prayers? See John 15:7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask
whatever you want and it will be done for you." So you are to stay in the word and let the words permeate in your being,
then your prayers will be answered. Also see 1 John 5:14-15 - "...If we ask anything according to His will He hears us." If
we know that He hears us, we know that we have what we have asked in His will.
II. "Ask And You Will Receive" What is characteristic of God's answers to prayer? Turn to Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know." God's answer to your prayer will be deeper and wiser than you can ever imagine. Ephesians 3:20 states "Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us-"
a. Read Matthew 7:9-11. What kind of gifts does God give His children? We who are made of flesh would not give our
children anything that would hurt them, "...how much more will our Father in heaven give good things to those who ask
Him?" How do you think God would respond to a request for something He knew would be bad for you? What do you
think God would do if He knew the answer would be better for you at another time? Sometime God's answer is not no but
for us to wait.
b. Turn to Philippians 4:6-7. What is the wrong reaction to have toward difficult circumstances? We are not to worry but to
to pray about everything with thanksgiving as we present our request to God. This is the right response for troubled
times and the results will be the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding!
III. "Your Joy Will Be Complete" From Philippians 4-7, what results from the peace that comes through prayer? The peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We know how important it is to not allow our minds to think on the worst that might happen. What a joy it is to be at peace in times of trouble. In Luke 1:13-14 Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for a son, what was the results?
a. What are some hindrances to answered prayers? See James 4:3 and Psalm 66:18. The Lord will not listen if your
motives are wrong, your desires are evil, or there is malice in your heart.
Now write out John 16:24 From Memory. Here is a way to remember the four important areas of prayer. Use this as a mental guide for a balance prayer life. The first letters of these words form the acronym "ACTS"....ADORATION - Reflecting on God
Himself. Praise Him for His love, power and majesty and His wonderful gift of Christ. CONFESSION - Admitting your sins to God. Be honest and humble. Remember He knows you and still loves you. THANKSGIVING - Telling God how grateful you are for everything He has given - even the unpleasant things. Your thankfulness will help you see His purposes. SUPPLICATION - Making specific requests, both for others and for yourself.
Applying John 16:24 - List four specific things you can pray about today. Pause right now and talk to God about them.
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Welcome to the lesson 2: Assurance of Answered Prayer. Remember because you believe in God's son, Jesus Christ you have eternal life. Now let's look at this lesson's verse to memorize:
John 16:24 - "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Another attack of Satan may be to cause you to doubt the effectiveness of prayer. He may whisper to you, "God couldn't possibly be interested in you, He's far away and surely He don't hear your prayers-much less answer them!" But with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you have the unique privilege of speaking directly with your heavenly Father through Him.
In this verse Jesus was talking to his disciples the night before His crucifixion. He did not tell them they had never asked for anything in prayer before but that they had not asked in His name. You probably prayed many times, especially when in trouble, but as a believer in Christ you can ask in Jesus name, because you now belong to Him. To ask in His name means to ask in His authority and on His merit. Just as the father answered Jesus' prayer every time so He will answer you when you ask in Jesus' name. Now let's explore this new promise, memorize the verse, apply its truth and experience the joy of answered prayer.
What is prayer? Communicating with the Father through His son, Jesus Christ. Therefore we should pray in the name of Jesus Christ knowing the results are that we will receive and our joy will be complete.
I. "Until Now You Have Not Asked For Anything In My Name" What does Jesus teach about prayer in Matthew 7:7-8? In studying this verse we see we are to Ask, Search, and Knock. Ask and it will be given to you, Seek, and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened to you.
a. What are some conditions for answered prayers? See John 15:7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask
whatever you want and it will be done for you." So you are to stay in the word and let the words permeate in your being,
then your prayers will be answered. Also see 1 John 5:14-15 - "...If we ask anything according to His will He hears us." If
we know that He hears us, we know that we have what we have asked in His will.
II. "Ask And You Will Receive" What is characteristic of God's answers to prayer? Turn to Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know." God's answer to your prayer will be deeper and wiser than you can ever imagine. Ephesians 3:20 states "Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us-"
a. Read Matthew 7:9-11. What kind of gifts does God give His children? We who are made of flesh would not give our
children anything that would hurt them, "...how much more will our Father in heaven give good things to those who ask
Him?" How do you think God would respond to a request for something He knew would be bad for you? What do you
think God would do if He knew the answer would be better for you at another time? Sometime God's answer is not no but
for us to wait.
b. Turn to Philippians 4:6-7. What is the wrong reaction to have toward difficult circumstances? We are not to worry but to
to pray about everything with thanksgiving as we present our request to God. This is the right response for troubled
times and the results will be the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding!
III. "Your Joy Will Be Complete" From Philippians 4-7, what results from the peace that comes through prayer? The peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We know how important it is to not allow our minds to think on the worst that might happen. What a joy it is to be at peace in times of trouble. In Luke 1:13-14 Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for a son, what was the results?
a. What are some hindrances to answered prayers? See James 4:3 and Psalm 66:18. The Lord will not listen if your
motives are wrong, your desires are evil, or there is malice in your heart.
Now write out John 16:24 From Memory. Here is a way to remember the four important areas of prayer. Use this as a mental guide for a balance prayer life. The first letters of these words form the acronym "ACTS"....ADORATION - Reflecting on God
Himself. Praise Him for His love, power and majesty and His wonderful gift of Christ. CONFESSION - Admitting your sins to God. Be honest and humble. Remember He knows you and still loves you. THANKSGIVING - Telling God how grateful you are for everything He has given - even the unpleasant things. Your thankfulness will help you see His purposes. SUPPLICATION - Making specific requests, both for others and for yourself.
Applying John 16:24 - List four specific things you can pray about today. Pause right now and talk to God about them.
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GO TO THE LINK BELOW TO REFLECT ON WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED:
AFTER SUBMITTING THE QUIZ, YOUR INSTRUCTOR WILL CONTACT YOU VIA EMAIL WITH RESULTS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOVING FORWARD.
DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT BELOW BY MAKING ANY SUGGESTIONS AFTER TAKING THE QUIZ.
AFTER SUBMITTING THE QUIZ, YOUR INSTRUCTOR WILL CONTACT YOU VIA EMAIL WITH RESULTS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOVING FORWARD.
DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT BELOW BY MAKING ANY SUGGESTIONS AFTER TAKING THE QUIZ.