The Midnight Visitor Luke 11 5 10 other

The Midnight Visitor Luke 11: 5 -10 other passages: Matthew 7: 7 -11, Revelation 3: 20, John 14: 13 -14

1. What in the last week are you thankful for? 2. Do you think God plays a role in this? 3. What’s the best gift you’ve ever given to somebody? What made you to give that specific gift and what was the reaction of the recipient? 4. If you give a gift, is that out of duty (as a return of gifts you got) or out of love? 5. When you’ve selected and presented a “good gift, ” one that is appreciated and valued by the recipient, how does it feel to you? 6. If people ask to pray for you on your behalf, are your requests focused on your needs or on your desires?

Watch the two video clips

Read aloud together: Luke 11: 5 -10 5 Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him. ’ 7 “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything. ’ 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7: 7 -11 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you (sinful people), then. . know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

1. Can somebody of us tell the story in his/her own words? 2. Which people play a role in this story? 3. In Jesus’ time on earth the rules of hospitality were expected to be followed without excuses. What was expected of the family having the visitor? 4. Why did the neighbor in the parable finally give the bread? 5. Read Matthew 7: 9 -11 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you (sinful people), then, . . , know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Compare your willingness to give with God’s willingness to give? 6. What do you learn from this parable about human nature? 7. Do you learn something of God’s character?

Let’s read Revelation 3: 20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”. 看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开 门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他他与我一同 坐席。 Who is knocking? What does ‘the door’ represent? And what is the promise?

Jesus said: “ 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. ” (John 14: 13 -14) 13 你们奉我的名无论求甚麽，我必成就， 叫父因儿子得荣耀。 14 你 们 若 奉 我 的 名 求 甚 麽 ， 我 必 成 就 。” (約 翰 福 音 14: 13 -14)

Suppose: A far friend (a friend of a friend) drops by your dorm for an unexpected overnight stay. What might be expected of you? If you found yourself unable to meet the expectations, whom would you call upon for help or wisdom? What about WWJD?