The disciples learned many things about prayer from Jesus. He taught them to pray privately for their own needs. They learned to pray for others, even for their enemies. One day, a disciple said to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray,” like John the Baptist taught his disciples. So, Jesus gave them a model prayer that became known as the Lord’s Prayer. Part of the prayer says, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
What are some different words to substitute for “debts”? We should know that God understands us and readily forgives us. We can learn to understand and forgive our debtors. Why is it important to forgive other people?
Jesus and the disciples stopped near a Samaritan town on their way to Galilee. The disciples went into town to buy food. Jesus, however, chose to sit and rest beside a well outside of town. Soon, a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well, and Jesus asked her for a drink. His request surprised her. After they spoke a little more, Jesus revealed to her that he was the source of “living water,” which she could have asked for if she had understood who she was speaking to.
When we drink a cup of water, we can remember that Jesus gives us water that satisfies our spiritual thirst. Jesus said it becomes “a well of water springing up to eternal life.” Do we need to ask for this “living water”? What is spiritual thirst?
During one great sermon, Jesus taught the disciples about love. He also tried to help them understand how God acts in the world when he spoke of the sun and the rain. Jesus said the Father in heaven “makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Then, he gave them something to strive for. He said, “Be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” This teaching is a portion of what became known as the Sermon on the Mount.
Discussion Questions
Sun and rain are part of God’s creation, and all people need them in order to live here on earth. What was Jesus saying about God when he talked about sun and rain? People also need a supreme goal for living. How can we become perfect?
Jesus gradually gathered twelve men to be his disciples. One of those men was a publican named Matthew Levi. Jesus went to his tax booth in Capernaum and said, “Follow me.” Thus, Matthew left his work and became a disciple. Later, Matthew invited Jesus to a banquet in his home. Among the guests were people known as “publicans and sinners.” The Pharisees saw and disapproved of this. In answer to the Pharisees, Jesus said, “They who are whole need not a physician.”
Discussion Questions
Why did the Pharisees disapprove when they saw Jesus talking and eating with “publicans and sinners”? Jesus wanted to reach those who needed to be whole again. What does that mean? Jesus was friendly and good to everyone.
