The Lord’s Prayer–part 3

We continue our look at the Lord’s Prayer. This week we look at Petition #3.

DAY 1

Matthew 6:10b …. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Review:

Petition #1: Hallowed by Your name. (“May your name be honored in and through my life”)
Petition #2: Your kingdom come. (“May I seek first Your kingdom and righteousness”)
Petition #2 and #3 are the central means of accomplishing Petition #1.

1. You may wonder, “Isn’t God’s will always done?”

The phrase, “God’s will” is used in two ways: His “secret” will and His “revealed” will.
a. The Secret Will of God.
God’s “secret” will is the rule of His own actions.

b. The Revealed Will of God.
God’s “revealed will of God” is what we are supposed to do.

This morning we’ll look at God’s “Secret will of God.”

2. For each of the verses below, where does God accomplish His will regardless of man’s actions?
Revelation 4:11

Daniel 4:35

Romans 9:15

3. What do these verses say about “God’s will?” Do these verses encourage you?

4. No matter what our circumstances may be, we can be certain that nothing can thwart God’s will for our lives!
Read the following verses and record your thoughts:
Job 42:2

Psalm 115:3

5. What strikes you about the “secret will of God?”

DAY 2

1. REVIEW: The phrase “the will of God” is used in two ways.
a. The “secret” will of God,” which we looked at yesterday. This is what God will do.
b. The “revealed” will of God is what we are to do!

2. God makes His will known to us primarily through the scriptures. For each of the verses below, what is God’s will for each of us?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Ephesians 5:15-20

John 6:40

Romans 12:1-2

Ephesians 6:6

Colossians 1:9

Colossians 1:10

Colossians 1:11

Colossians 1:12

3. How do any of these verses strike you? Is there something you need to do that is God’s will?

DAY 3

1. So, the “will of God” can either mean:
a. What God has purposed to do, or
b. What God has commanded us to do.

2. Doing God’s will is not an option! It is a matter of obedience! If for no other reason, you should do the will of God for your own good!

Read Luke 6:46-49

3. What strikes you about Jesus’ question in 6:46?

4. Does it do us any good to call Him “Lord” and not do His will?

5. Jesus illustrates those who do God’s will and those who don’t. In the following illustrations, make a list of all that is a part of both parables: (6:47-49)

6. Now contrast the two parables. List the things are different in the two parables?

7. What is the lesson of the two parables?

8. What do you think Jesus means by “destruction” in 6:47?

9. What does building a “house” represent?

10. Ask God to give you a spirit to do God’s will, not just hear it.

DAY 4

1. As you attempt to do God’s will you will notice a big problem. RELUCTANCE! Our natural selves only want to do what we want to do, not what God wants us to do. What can be done about this dilemma?

2. I need spiritual wisdom. (I need to know what I’m supposed to do, or why–the benefits / consequences)
What do each of these elaborate on our need for God’s wisdom?

Psalm 119:27

Psalm 119:33

3. I need spiritual inclination. (for my heart to be “inclined” to do God’s will)
What do each of these elaborate on our need for God?

Psalm 119:32

Psalm 119:36

4. I need spiritual power. (Left to ourselves human power will always fall short).
What do each of these elaborate on our need for God?

Psalm 119:25

Psalm 119:28

5. What strikes you most about these three qualities?

6. Take a moment and pray each of these things for yourself. You may use the verses from Psalm 119 as your prayer!!

DAY 5

Read Matthew 7:21-23
1. What is the difference between the person who says, “Lord, Lord,” and the person who does the will of God? What point is Jesus making?

2. What strikes you about the examples Jesus says people would use to justify their place in heaven without really obeying God’s will?

3. Are their hopes realistic? In spite of their hopes that they will be in heaven, what is Jesus’ take on their life?

4. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

What do we know about heaven? It’s inhabited by God, angels and believers who have died on earth. How do you think they do God’s will done in heaven? In the verses below, record the attitudes of those in heaven:

Revelation 5:8-14

Isaiah 6:2

Revelation 7:15

5. It’s one thing for us to do the will of God grudgingly. What strikes you from the verses you just studied?

6. What needs to change in your own attitude about doing God’s will?

7. Read Romans 12:2. The power to do God’s will comes from God, but you have a part, too! What items are your part in doing God’s will?