Maturing in Christ: Praying as Jesus Prayed Part 1

Maturing in Christ: Praying as Jesus Prayed, Part 1
Praying and Our Identity in Christ
Luke 3:15-22  
Page # 1022

Definition of the Bride of Christ (BOC): A place of closeness, identity, privilege, position, oneness, and acceptance in Christ. Being the BOC is a synonym for the people who have been chosen by God’s free grace and who are eternally covered with His love and delight. This truth settles who we are and also is the motivator to allow Christ to continually express His life through us.

Jeremiah 33:15-16 - “In those days….I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.  In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the Lord is our righteousness.”

Isaiah 62:2-5 - “And you will be called by a new name… It will no longer be said to you, ‘Forsaken,’ … But you will be called, ‘My delight is in her,’…For the Lord delights in you… as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.”

Hosea 2:16-20 - “ ‘It will come about in that day,’ declares the Lord,…. ‘I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord.’ ”

Jeremiah 31:3 - …“I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”

Romans 11:17 - “But some of these branches from Abraham's tree--some of the people of Israel--have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God's special olive tree (Christ).”

Hebrews 2:9-18 Page # 1197

Hebrews 4:14-16  

Hebrews 7:15-25  

Luke 3:15-22 Page # 1022

Isaiah 42:1-4 - “Behold My servant whom I uphold, My chosen in whom My soul delights; I have put My Spirit upon Him, He will bring forth justice to the nations. ….a bruised reed He will not break…He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth…”

Luke 4:18-20

1. I encounter God’s presence.  

2. I receive His perspective of me and for daily living.

3. I receive power for ministry.

John 13:1 – 4   Page # 1077      

Faith Sheet

Transformation Verse (July) – Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Main Themes
~ Prayer is communion or intimacy with God. It is essential for daily worship of God and for impactful ministry to others.

~ It is in a praying lifestyle that we continually encounter God’s presence, power, and perspective.

~ Being in Christ settles our identity. It is also the motivator to allow Him to express His life through us.

#1- Reviewing This Past Sunday  
Maturing in Christ: Praying as Jesus Prayed, Part 1
Praying and Our Identity in Christ

Luke 3:15-22

1. Since prayer is mainly communion with God, what are some
    reasons to have an ongoing prayer life?
2. Read the examples of Jesus praying. What themes do you see
    about His prayer times, reasons of prayer, etc.? Luke 3:15-22,
    5:12-16, 6:12-19, 9:18-22, 9:28-36, 11:1-13, 22:39-46, and
    23:33-49.
3. If someone asked you who you are, what would be your answer
    and why? What does your answer reveal about your grasp of
    your identity in Christ?
4. Pray for our prayer lives to deepen. 

     # 2- Preparing for Next Sunday  
Maturing in Christ: Praying as Jesus Prayed, Part 2
Luke 4:1-21

1. What do you appreciate about God concerning prayer?
2. Read Luke 4:1-21. What is the context? What do you see in the
    text concerning prayer, daily winning over temptation, and
    being able to live a Christ-like life no matter where He places
    us?
3. Describe what our ministry to others is to look like as Christ
    empowers us? (vs. 18-19)
4. Spend some time in praise and prayer. Pray for our partner
    church in Guatemala, for those you know who do not know
    Christ, and however God leads.