Moral of the Story – The Unjust Judge – August 6, 2023

Welcome, Introduction, and Opening Prayer

SHARE – Icebreaker – In today’s scripture, Jesus tells the parable of the Unjust Judge and the Persistent Widow. In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell argues that the difference between an amateur and a professional is “Ten Thousand Hours.” Do you consider yourself to be a professional at something? If so, what?

STUDY - Text: Luke 18:1-8 (NRSV):

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The persistent widow slowly wears down the unjust judge until she finally gets justice. Can you think of a time in your life when your persistence paid off?

In Scripture, God is often referred to as a ruler and judge, but Jesus makes a sharp contrast between the unjust judge and God. Do you view God as a judge? If so, what kind of judge do you think God is?

Jesus frames this parable of the widow and the unjust judge in terms of prayer. What do you think is the purpose of prayer? What, in your experience, is the result of prayer?

This text claims that God will grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night. Do you think God answers prayer? Does God answer your prayers? If so, how? If not, why do you think God is unresponsive?

In The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Thy will be done.” How does this phrase shape your understanding of prayer?

SUPPORT - Blessings and Burdens: What has been life-giving for you this week? What has been life-draining for you?

Closing Prayer