Superbook

Lesson:

Teach Us To Pray

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Jesus

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    Jesus

    

    Jesus is revealed in the Bible as the Son of God. He was first given this title by Gabriel, who spoke to Mary, saying: “So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). After Jesus was baptized by John, God said, “This is my dearly beloved Son, who brings me great joy." As the Son of God, Jesus was all powerful on earth. He healed the sick, cast out demons, walked on water, calmed the sea, and had the authority to forgive sins.

    • Bible References

      • John 3:16
      • Luke 1:35
      • Matthew 3:16-17
      • Genesis 1:1
      • Revelation 19:13
      • John 1:1-5
      • John 14:9
      • Mark 2:5-12
      • John 3:16
      • John 14:6
      • John 14:3
      • Acts 1:11
      • Revelation 19:13

  • Elijah

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    Elijah

    

    Elijah stood up boldly for God in a time when idolatry had swept his land. After a three-year drought, Elijah went out to confront the king and his false prophets. Confident of the power of God, Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the false god Asherah to a showdown on Mount Carmel.

    • Bible References

      • Philippians 4:9
      • 1 Kings 18:1
      • 1 Kings 22:1

  • James

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    James

    

    James most likely would have been with the other disciples in Jerusalem when they questioned Peter about entering Cornelius' home. James was the son of Zebedee, and older brother to John. Jesus came to James and John and told them to follow Him and be fishers of people! James and his brother John were one of Jesus' twelve apostles. They were nicknamed the "Sons of Thunder" by Jesus. James, John, and Peter were called Jesus' inner circle and were the closest to Jesus of all the apostles. James was the first apostle to die as a martyr when he was killed by King Herod Agrippa in A.D. 44.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 4:21
      • Matthew 10:2
      • Mark 3:17
      • Acts 1:4-14
      • Matthew 4:18-22
      • Luke 9:51-56
      • Mark 9:2
      • Mark 5:37
      • Luke 8:51
      • Mark 14:33
      • Matthew 26:37
      • Mark 10:37-38
      • Acts 1:4-14
      • Acts 12:1-2

  • Peter

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    Peter

    

    Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Peter was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, Peter's life took a completely different direction. He became a “fisher-of-men." Peter was the disciple who climbed out of the boat to walk to Jesus, and he was also the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Peter later became the leader of the emerging church.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 16:18
      • Matthew 16:17
      • John 1:42
      • Mark 1:21
      • John 1:44
      • Matthew 16:17-19
      • Mark 1:29-31
      • Matthew 8:14-15
      • 1 Corinthians 9:5
      • Luke 5:10
      • Matthew 4:18-20
      • Mark 3:14-16
      • Mark 1:36
      • Luke 22:32
      • Matthew 14:28
      • Matthew 18:21
      • Matthew 16:13-17
      • John 18:10
      • Luke 22:31-34
      • John 21
      • Acts 2:14-41
      • Acts 3:12-26
      • Acts 3:1-11
      • Acts 5:12-16
      • Acts 12:6-19
      • Acts 10
      • Acts 15
      • Galatians 2
      • 1 Peter 1
      • 2 Peter 1

  • Moses

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    Moses

    

    At God's direction, Moses led the Israelites out of the slavery they suffered in Egypt. After their dramatic escape through the Red Sea, the real adventure of trusting God's provision started. As the leader of the Israelites, Moses faced many challenges, some of the biggest which took place upon his arrival to Mount Sinai.

    • Bible References

      • Exodus 3:12
      • Exodus 16:18-20
      • Exodus 2:1-10
      • Exodus 3:12
      • Exodus 16
      • Exodus 18
      • Exodus 19:6
      • Exodus 20
      • Numbers 20:1-13
      • Deuteronomy 33:1-29
      • Deuteronomy 34:1-8

  • John (Young)

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    John (Young)

    

    Before Jesus called him to be a disciple, he was a fisherman (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20). John’s relationship with Jesus was so close that he was called “the disciple Jesus loved.” John wrote the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

    • Bible References

      • John 13:34-35
      • Matthew 4:18-22
      • Mark 1:16-20
      • Mark 5:37
      • Luke 9:28-29
      • Mark 3:17
      • John 19:26-27
      • John 20:31
      • Revelation 1:9-11

• Adventure Guide

  • 

    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    Teach Us to Pray - Family Discussion Guide

• Videos

  The Transfiguration

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    The Transfiguration

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    Jesus Heals Demon-Possessed Boy

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    Mustard Seed Faith

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    Jesus Sends Out His Disciples

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    The Disciples Return to Jesus

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    Jesus Teaches His Disciples How To Pray

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    Teach Us to Pray - Salvation Poem

• Q & A

  • What is God's most valuable gift to us?

    Jesus sent seventy–two disciples out to prepare the way in the towns and places He planned to visit. When they return to Jesus, they were excited and full of joy at their results. What was the source of their excitement? “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” (Luke 10:17). It is exciting to walk in the power and authority of Jesus! However, Jesus did not want them to place a priority on signs and wonders such as this. “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!
    
    Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20). Jesus did not want them to lose sight of the most important source of joy – their salvation! Salvation is the most precious and valuable gift we receive from God. Our sins are forgiven – wiped clean! Our relationship with God is restored and we will live with Jesus forever in heaven! When our joy is centered on the gift of salvation, we will be motivated to share the Gospel message with others so they can experience it too! 1 Peter 1:3-4 says: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
    
    Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” As followers of Christ, we should never allow ourselves to lose the joy of our salvation. We must never place a higher importance on signs and wonders as the disciples did! We also must be on guard not to pursue happiness on this earth above our relationship with God. In Psalm 51:12, David asked God to restore to him the joy of his salvation after he had fallen into sin. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” Thank God daily for His precious gift of salvation that Jesus paid for with His own life! When we walk in the joy of our salvation, others will be drawn to Christ through our lives and our testimony!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Luke 10:20

  • How should we pray?

    Prayer is simply having a two way conversation with God; speaking and listening. But, what is the most effective way to pray? Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus gave His disciples a prayer model to use called “The Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus said, “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
    
    And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). Jesus example shows us that prayer is far more than just telling God what we want and need. Prayer begins with worship; acknowledging who He is – a holy God above heaven and earth. In doing this we build our faith understanding that He has power over everything and everyone; nothing is impossible for Him! We are to pray for God’s will; that His purpose and plan are accomplished on this earth. Notice how the beginning of prayer is focused on God- not us! Then we are to pray for what we need, including forgiveness as we forgive others! We also are to ask God’s help and protection from temptation and the evil one- Satan.
    
    This is how Jesus teaches us to pray! In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus also warns us to not make a show of our prayers. This is a humble, intimately private time between God and us. Jesus also instructs us to be persistent in our prayers and to never give up. (Luke 11:9-10; Luke 18:1-14). Jesus tells us to pray according to His will and we will have whatever we ask! (1 John 5:14). When we pray in Jesus’ name and according to His will, Jesus will answer our prayer and bring glory to God! (John 14:13). Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper, guide, and teacher.
    
    The Holy Spirit will help us to pray effectively and according to God’s will. “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. (Romans 8:26-27). When we come before God with a humble, sincere heart, and seek His will, He will hear and answer us!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Matthew 6:9

  • How can I pray to further the Gospel?

    God’s desire is for all men to repent, know the truth, and be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). To accomplish this end, Jesus issued The Great Commission to His disciples, including us! “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). The problem is that not all people are willing to go! This was an issue in Jesus’ day and is still the case today. Jesus told His disciples to pray for more workers who were willing to work in God’s harvest.
    
    Luke 10:1-2 says, “The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” As believers, it is of utmost importance to pray for workers to spread the Gospel and to make disciples. In John 4:35-38, Jesus tells His disciples exactly what God’s harvest is. “You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’
    
    And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” God’s harvest is people! He asks us to participate in His harvest by sharing the Gospel and praying for others to do His work too! All God needs are workers! Romans 10:13-15 says: For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” What a privilege we have to participate in God’s harvest! No matter what part we play; God’s joy and blessings awaits us for participating!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 2 Peter 3:9

  • Do we have authority and power as a believer?

    It is important for us to understand that Jesus’ authority is given to Him by God not man. His authority never ends and is not limited. “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
    
    The disciples were sent out by Jesus and given His authority to share the Gospel, baptize and make disciples of new believers. Jesus promised to always be with them until the end of the earth. Matthew 10:1 says, “Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.” The question is, does this apply to us today or what is just for believers in Jesus’ day? Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
    
    If Jesus gave authority to believers then, He still gives authority to us now! In John 14:12-14 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! As believers in Him, we will do even greater, in other words, more works, because He is in heaven to help us. Jesus’ work on earth was limited when He was a man to where He was present. More work was accomplished by His authority as His disciples were sent out.
    
    Imagine now, with Jesus in Heaven, how much greater the scope of His works can be. When we ask in His name, or by the authority of His name, according to His will, He will grant our request! How powerful is our authority in Christ? Luke 10:19 says, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” Believers need to understand and operate under Jesus’ authority. When we do, the enemy cannot stand against us and God’s will can be accomplished!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Matthew 28:18

  • How much faith do I need?

    Jesus arrived in Bethany and Martha ran to meet Him. “Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:21). Martha didn’t understand why it took Jesus so long to arrive in Bethany. Even so, she expressed her faith that Jesus could have healed Lazarus before He died. Martha also revealed that she believed Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, Who was sent to earth by God. Mary, Martha’s sister, voiced the same faith in Jesus’ healing ability.
    
    “When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32). Both women believed Jesus could heal but not that He could raise Lazarus from the dead. Martha protested when Jesus told the people to roll aside the stone from Lazarus’ tomb. Surely Lazarus body had begun to decompose and stink; certainly it was too late! Martha and Mary’s faith was about to grow! Imagine their amazement and joy seeing Lazarus walk out of His tomb! (John 11:17-44).
    
    Yes, Jesus heals the living and gives life to the dead! Just like with Mary and Martha, Jesus honors the faith that we have. One time in the Bible, Jesus' disciples were unable to cast a demon out of a boy that was brought to them by his father. The disciples could not do it and asked Jesus why they were not successful. "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." As we read and discover more about Jesus, our small faith will grow larger. We will begin to trust God for greater and greater things. In time we will believe that nothing is impossible with God! Colossians 2:7 says, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you
    

    • John 11:21