2011-08-14
Training of the Twelve - Jesus Teaches the Twelve to Pray
Steve Lane

A. Review
There is a blend of learning about following Jesus and about making disciples
Come and see; Come and follow Me; Come and be with Me
Catching the Vision from Jesus (Matt 9: 27)
But Jesus accelerated their growth by calling them constantly to step out in faith and experience
After a night in prayer Jesus chooses the twelve
Luke 6: 12 - 16
Psalm 25: 4,14
He opened His heart and His life, and He trusted them with His mission. They became His friends.
The Twelve
Luke 6:12 – 16
Mark 3:13 – 19
Matt 10:1 – 4
Jesus preferred devoted men who had none of the advantages, to undevoted men who
had them all
Do you have the heart of these simple men?
Hearing and Seeing and the next step
More like a childlike wonder than an adult understanding. Blessed.
Jesus is dealing with the source, the heart and not just the action

B. Intro / Jesus Prays
They had seen and heard Jesus pray often
His disciples, feeling their own weakness in prayer asked of Him… “teach us to pray”.

C. “Teach Us to Pray”
Here they saw an utter weakness in themselves and asked for help… train us in prayer.

Luke 11: 1
Spiritual children unable to form clear thoughtful request with the appropriate words

He wanted to give their weak faith certain encouragement and suggested topics and give reason for perseverance in prayer.

You can use this tool like a beginner or you can use it like a prayer veteran.
As sure as the disciples had to struggle with this teaching and apply faith, desire and perseverance we must do the same
Jesus answer comes in two parts:
Thoughts and words
Faith in God as the answerer
Luke 11:2 - 13
The Master Trainer in prayer assumes some things... Thy will be done

D. Persevere in praying and believing
Those who would be tempted to make assumptions about God’s character. Keep on praying.

Delay is no reason to stop.
Luke 18:1
Lamentations 3: 24 - 25
Mainly though the parable is an answer to a lack of faith.

Jesus trains His disciples deeper in prayer and their understanding of prayer within a context of the purposes of God in the world
John 15:16
16:23 - 24