The Lord’s Prayer–part 2
DAY 1
Last week we looked at the entire Lord’s Prayer. The address was a simple, “Our father in heaven.” Jesus reminded us to remember both the tenderness of God the father¸ as well as the sovereignty of God who “inhabits heaven.”
The first petition, what we’re calling, Petition #1 is, “Hallowed by Your name.” It simply means that all of life is to be centered on honoring God’s name and purposes. This week we look at Petition #2…
Matthew 6:10a …Your kingdom come…
1. What does God’s “kingdom” mean? Here is a summary from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
“…We pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the Kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the Kingdom of glory may be hastened.”
2. What do you learn from this summary statement about God’s kingdom?
Whose kingdom?
3. Several phrases are used interchangeably: Kingdom of God; Kingdom of Christ; Kingdom of heaven.
All of these phrases are constrasted to the “kingdom of Satan (darkness).”
Read Matt. 12:25-28
4. How aware are you that there are competing kingdoms for your allegiance?
5. Matt. 6:33 is Jesus’ most well known teaching on the kingdom. Can you think of anything more important than how Jesus describes the kingdom?
Matt. 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.
6. What do you think this would look like for you? How would you know if you were actually:
a. “Seeking first His kingdom?”
b. “Seeking first His righteousness?”
DAY 2
Matthew 6:10a …Your kingdom come…
1. What does “kingdom” mean? “Kingdom” is used in different ways. It has been used down through history to mean a “nation” or powerful nation under the rule of a king as in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom where the Olympics are being played.
There have been twenty-one great civilizations in human history. The kingdoms of men have risen and fallen throughout history. What does the following verse tells us is the reason kingdoms rise and fall?
Prov. 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
2. “Kingdom” can also be used to denote a kingdom of one: you! When you are in charge of you, when you are “king” over your life, you will seek “your kingdom,” not God’s.
Read Daniel 5:1-4
3. Would you have brought the goblets from God’s temple and used them for the banquet? (5:2-3)
Why or why not?
4. Why do you think the men and women “praised the gods of gold,” etc. in 5:4?
What did they value?
5. Read Daniel 5:5-9. What’s happened to the arrogance and “confidence” of Belshazazar? Why?
6. Daniel is brought in to interpret the mysterious writing. Before he does he reminds Belshazzar of God’s dealings with his father, King Nebuchadnezzar. What points does Daniel make in 5:18-21?
7. What God did on the “national” scale with King Nebuchadnezzar, He does with each of us! What points from this passage strike you personally? Is there something here for you to pray?
DAY 3
We pick up with Belshazzar’s story. Read Daniel 5:22-23.
1. List every charge Daniel brings against the king in these verses.
2. Read Daniel 5:24-28. The four words written on the wall are not translated by Daniel. The meaning of these words are interpreted for Belshazzar.
a. “Mene” – When a Hebrew writer wants to emphasize something he repeats it, as with “Mene.” What would strike Belshazzar about the meaning of “Mene?”
b. “Tekel” – How would you react if suddenly the meaning of this word was made known to you, that you had been weighed in the scale and found wanting?
c. “Peres” Everything Belshazzar had been working for, building his hopes on, and enjoying was suddenly collapsing! How would you respond if this happened to you?
3. You and I, as sinners, naturally move in the same directions as Belshazzar.
a. We want to be “king” or our own life.
b. We set up our own “kingdom,” however great or small it is.
c. We seek to make a name for ourselves.
d. We depend on what others think to validate our “kingship” and “kingdom.”
What ways to you see yourself doing any of the above?
4. What should Belshazzar have done instead? Read back through 5:22-23. Make a list.
5. What things do you need to do?
DAY 4
1. What is God’s “kingdom.”
a. God’s rule over His creation. He is “King” over creation. He moves in human history.
b. God’s rule in the hearts of men. He is “King” in the hearts of His subjects, His followers, those who come to faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Read Romans 14:17. God is working to build three qualities in His subjects (followers). How do you see God working these in your life?
Romans 14:17 The Kingdom of God is …righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
a. Righteousness:
b. Peace:
c. Joy:
3. How does God’s kingdom “come?” For each of the points below, jot down your thoughts from the verses:
a. God gives us the means of salvation (Rom. 10:13-17)
b. We hear His word and understand it (Matt. 13:23)
c. The Holy Spirit regenerates us: we enter His kingdom as willing subjects of His gracious reign (John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5)
d. At death we are freed from sin (Rom. 7:24-25; Heb. 12:23)
e. We shall be fully glorified (Rom. 8:23).
4. What most strikes you from the verses above? How have you seen God at work in you?
DAY 5
Read Matthew 13:47-52
1. This is one of Jesus’ “kingdom parables.” Much of God’s kingdom work is being done in your life now and in this life. This parable teaches about a coming day. We usually think about “good people” and “bad people” and conclude that we are in the “good people” group. But what terms does Jesus use to describe two kinds of people? (13:49)
2. What will happen to each?
3. How can anyone become “righteous?” It is humanly impossible! (Romans 3:20). How does that cut against the grain of what our culture believes?
4. If anyone becomes righteous it is because God imputed (attributed, assigned, ascribed, accredited) righteousness to him! Read Romans 3:21-26. How does God “credit” you with righteousness/ consider you as righteous in these verses?
5. Read Matthew 13:18-23. This is the parable of the four soils. Below, write down the effect of each soil on the seed (God’s word):
a. Path:
b. Rocks:
c. Thorns:
d. Good soil:
6. Which of the soils most describes you?
So what? As we finish “Your kingdom come,” which of the following needs your attention?
1. Are you engaged in helping to usher in God’s Kingdom? Our own natural proclivities are to worry about ourselves and our own interests, not those of others or of God’s interests.
2. Are you seeking to be a better light in this world? A better witness?
3. Are you still submitting your will to His reign in your life?
Matt. 3:2 Repent, for the kingdom of God is near.