Lord’s Prayer (Week 2) - The Kingdom Come Near

Developed By the St. Matthew’s Islington Discipleship Team Dawn Mercer, Christine Ivy and Rev. Philip Stonhouse

LENT Studies

Week 2: The Kingdom Come Near

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

A prayer before we begin reading scripture:

“I open my ears to hear Your Word,

and my heart to yield to Your will once again.”

 Mark 1:12-18 

12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Reflection:

1.   What does Jesus do after his baptism (recall Week 1 of the study)? How does his proclamation of the good news that “the Kingdom of God” is near relate to his experience the wilderness?

2.   In the verse “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near” Jesus tells us that a new era is beginning. What have we already seen in Mark 1 that demonstrates this? What do we see in the calling of the disciples?

3.   In Jesus Christ we meet God’s Kingdom coming near. As he moves into the wilderness and the world, how do we see God’s will being done?

4.   “Repent and believe” is only mentioned once in Mark. What is the connection between our repentance, following Jesus and belief? 

Digging Deeper:
Read the following questions. Which stands out to you that you would like to discuss?

1.   What difference would it make if Christians believed everyone in the kingdom was a mother, brother, and sister of the King?

2.   Last week we discussed characteristics of a good parent. What would be a characteristic of a good community/kingdom?

3.   What hopes is Jesus realizing in this text?

4.   Brainstorm what it is like and could be like for God’s kingdom to be in this world? We pray “Thy kingdom come” with expectation. How would we live and act if we truly expect God’s Kingdom to show up?

5.   What do you understand about heaven? How does that affect your prayer for “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?

Close: Praying together

Prayer Prompt: 

Surrender – As we enter prayer, pause to be still; breathe slowly; re-centre scattered senses upon the presence of God. Be still and remember – know – that God is God.

Think about a space, or time, or relationship where you would like God’s Kingdom to come in. Maybe it’s your work, or marriage, the church, with your neighbour or in your family. Invite God into this area of your life by considering how you would complete the phrase:

God, your kingdom come in  _______________ .

Share this together aloud if you are comfortable doing so.

During the week:

·       Pray each day for one way that God’s kingdom come and watch for how God might ask you to help.

·       Pray for a friend who does not know Christ, or who has walked away. Consider adding their name to a piece of paper you can place somewhere you’ll see often as a reminder to pray for them.

Prayer Exercises to Try at Home:  

Find exercises explained on the YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60qgCKg2i3gE6N9PLoLDDVSsfCTE2X7o (click link or copy and paste)

New this week:

Prayerful Journaling

Visio Divina (Prayerful looking)

Cross-reference:

Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1-11

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.