Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Give us this day
Introduction
Jesus’ teaching on the the kingdom is scattered throughout the first three gospels. It is not a structured set of teaching but a scattering of profound challenges to the way we see and live life. I have organised them along the structure of the Lord’s prayer which brings together most of the elements.
On this page is a short summary of Jesus teaching for each of the main elements. At that point there is a pointer to a page which will give a more exhaustive view.
Bible Zone
- Our Father - King Jesus directs attention and prayer to our Father.
- Hallowed be your name - The values of the king, summarised by holiness.
- Your kingdom come - We work to extend the reach of the kingdom.
- Your will be done - The kingdom is worked out in obedience that comes from within.
- Give us this day - We look to the king to provide for us each day.
- Our daily bread - Jesus himself, broken for us is our bread.
- Forgive us - We need to be reconciled to the king.
- As we forgive - The king looks for us to forgive as we are forgiven.
- Lead us not into temptation - Testing abounds in life. We look for protection
- Deliver us from evil - The king has an enemy. We need protection from him.
Our Father
What we ask for shows where our hearts are
We set our hearts on and pursue what is important to us, and what we focus on becomes important to us. It is important then to make the main thing we are pursuing the Kingdom of God.
- What was Jesus concerned about in the parable of the rich fool? (V16-21)
- How did Jesus instruct His disciples in order to overcome this tendency?
- What are the challenges to our faith within this teaching?
- What is the outcome in our hearts if we are to follow this teaching?
Luke 12:16-34 Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.17 He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.'18 Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.19 And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"'
20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'
21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.24 Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?26 And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things.30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Your Kingdom come
Your Will be done
Give us this day
When Jesus sent out his people on a ministry trip, he sent them with nothing.
- How were the disciples to live while on their ministry trip?
- How did this means of sustenance reflect the rest of Jesus teaching?
- How would the disciples observe the way in which their message was received?
Luke 10:1 The Lord now chose seventy-two* other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. … 4 Don't take any money with you, nor a traveler's bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don't stop to greet anyone on the road.
5 "Whenever you enter someone's home, first say, 'May God's peace be on this house.'6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you.7 Don't move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
8 "If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you.9 Heal the sick, and tell them, 'The Kingdom of God is near you now.'10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say,11 'We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!'12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.
Our Daily Bread
The understanding of the Kingdom is given to those who desire to live out what they hear. Jesus does not entrust the knowledge of the Kingdom to everyone.
- Who are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom?
- Why might the knowledge of the Kingdom be limited?
- What was Jesus’ purpose in speaking in parables?
Matthew 13:11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,
For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
Forgive us
As we forgive
Lead us not into temptation
Deliver us from evil