Lord’s Prayer (Week 1) - Who is God?
Developed By the St. Matthew’s Islington Discipleship Team Dawn Mercer, Christine Ivy and Rev. Philip Stonhouse
LENT Studies
Week 1 - Who is God?
Week 2 - The Kingdom Come Near
Week 3 - Praying for What We Truly Need
Week 4 - God’s Kingdom Now
Prayer Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60qgCKg2i3gE6N9PLoLDDVSsfCTE2X7o
In the 4 Lent studies, we use the Lord’s Prayer to “teach us to pray”. We remember that the Lord’s Prayer was Jesus’ response to the disciples asking Jesus to “teach us to pray”.
Week 1 Who is God?
Praying Praise
Our Father,
Who Art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Mark 1:9-15
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted[a] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Jesus Announces the Good News
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Looking at the text:
Why do you think Jesus was baptized? How does this relate to our baptism?
In this text we see the three persons of the trinity
a. V. 10 says “heaven was torn open” What does that mean? (This relates strongly to the tearing of the temple curtain that separated people from the Holy of Holies). What does this tell us about both God’s distance and now closeness thanks to Jesus?
b. How is this seen again with the Dove/Holy Spirit?
c. How does God refer to Jesus His Son? Discuss the intimacy God shows to Jesus.
3. How would you feel if God said You are my child whom I love; I am very pleased with you? Have you experienced? What kind of occasions?
Digging Deeper: Choose 2 or 3 of these questions to discuss together. Consider other questions during the week.
1. Why are intimate relationships important? Think about parents, friends, partners. God wants to be so close to us that we can call Him family: parent, sibling, a friend, and even lover at times. What would it mean for you to be that close with God? How could that change your prayers? Other aspects of your life?
2. Does God feel close to you or distant? Recall that in the text, although God distant (in heaven), He tears open the heavens to come down. Even the early church leaders experienced times of both. What seems to get in the way of God’s closeness?
3. Think about what a “best parent” would be like. Brainstorm what people in your group would include.
a. How is God that “best parent” for us?
b. What does it mean to be God’s child? How does that change how you feel about talking to God – pray
4. What can we bring before God in prayer and conversation? [HINT: What would a good parent want to hear? What stops you from saying such things to God?]
5. What are some really simple ways that you can bring God’s name honour?
Pray together: This week we focus on praise.
Each person pray: “God you are…….”
During the week:
Daily Prayer Prompt - Praise - Think once again about the best parent and pray a sentence or phrase that honours God as being the best parent – you could use actions of God or characteristics or feelings. You might just pray each day “God you are…..”
Online Prayer Exercises: The Chair Exercise , ACTS on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60qgCKg2i3gE6N9PLoLDDVSsfCTE2X7o
