The Persistent Widow

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To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week, we discussed Jesus’ explanation about how those who want to follow him and be a part of God’s kingdom should have a “childlike” faith in the way they relate to him; This means our faith should be characterized by humility, dependence on him, and a desire to just be with God.  

During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they would work on throughout the week. Take some time to discuss how that went with the group. 

This week we will be discussing Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow. 

First, however, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group. 

Connect  

• What’s a time you almost gave up on something but stuck with it and were glad you did? 
  • How do you usually react when something doesn’t seem to be working out the way you hoped? 
• When have you seen something good come from a situation that might have felt frustrating in the moment? 
  • What helps you trust that a decision or situation is going to work out even when you don’t see immediate results? 

Opening Thought 

Often, it can be frustrating waiting for a response or outcome to happen. Whether it’s a decision that’s taking longer than we would like it to take or a situation that feels like it won’t work out, it can be easy to doubt we will hear anything at all. But sometimes, what seems like silence doesn’t mean we’re being ignored, it just means we haven’t been told the answer yet. This can also be true when it comes to our faith. When it seems like he isn’t there, God instead invites us to trust his timing and plan so he can show us the good things he is doing in our lives. 

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week

We can be faithful to God by trusting he will answer our prayers. 

Here’s where we are this week 

Jesus is continuing to teach about the “Kingdom of God” which, instead of being an earthly kingdom that would overthrow the ruling earthly authority in Jesus’ time, was a place of peace, forgiveness, compassion, and love where all the followers of Jesus were together with God. Jesus at this point in his ministry continued to teach that this kingdom is not only for the future, however, but is already here on earth now, albeit not in its full form. The story this week focuses on one of Jesus’ teachings on how those in the Kingdom of God should think about prayer. 

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

Luke 18:1-8 

Unpack 

• Why does Jesus describe the judge in this parable as someone who “neither feared God nor cared about people”? 
  • What does this show about the judge’s character/desire to uphold the law? Why is this important? 
• Why did the judge agree to grant the widow’s request? What does this show about the judge’s motivations? 
• Why do you think Jesus used this story to teach about prayer? Was Jesus telling us that to pray well we must annoy God? 
• What do you think the real purpose of Jesus comparing the judge in the story to God was?  
  • In what ways is God different than the judge in the story?  
  • How could being aware of God’s love and support for you encourage you in your prayer life with him?  
• How often do you fully trust that God will answer your prayers?  
  • Why do you think people sometimes have difficulty accepting that God is paying attention to their needs? 

Jesus, in verse 8 from the section we just read, asks the question, “when the Son of Man (Jesus) returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” 

• Why do you think it is so common for people who believe and follow Jesus to turn away from him?  
• What are some active steps we can take to avoid falling away from trusting Jesus? 
• How could having an openly persistent faith inspire someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus to change their perspective? 

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

• What is one step you can begin taking to be persistent, like the widow, in your day-to-day faith? 
• What is one thing in your life, that you haven’t wanted to trust Jesus to take care of, that you will begin trusting Jesus with this week? 
• How will we as a group practically encourage each other to stay active and diligent in our faith, starting this week? 

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

It’s easy to wonder if our efforts matter when we don’t see immediate results. But persistence isn’t about getting instant answers, it’s about continuing to show up, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. When it comes to our relationship with God, just because we don’t hear an answer right away doesn’t mean nothing is happening, it just means he hasn’t shown us yet. This week, instead of losing hope or trying to take things into your own hands, breathe and trust that God is working in your life no matter how long the wait may be and, if we allow it to, this can be a source of peace in our lives. 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week 

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Romans 12:12  

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

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Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Romans 8:28 

Day 2: Psalm 56:3 

Day 3: John 5:24 

Day 4: Ephesians 6:16 

Day 5: 2 Thessalonians 3:5 

Day 6: Revelation 3:11