Jesus Teaches to Pray

Watch on YouTube/ read online

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8RLJQHbPKE

Luke 11: 1-13

Context

Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer is a bit shorter than Matthew’s (which is more like the version we use in church).

Jesus speaks with the plural “you”: this is instruction for them all.

Calling God “Father” was not new, but Jesus seems to focus on that way of speaking of God. Maybe it was also saying that the emperor was not the person to call “Father”.

The word for “daily” in “daily bread” is unusual and may well mean “for tomorrow”. “Give us tomorrow’s bread today” could be a request from people who have next to nothing; and it could be about God’s heavenly banquet — another way of saying “your kingdom come”, perhaps.

Perhaps the traveller arrives so late because they had avoided the midday heat on the journey. All through the Bible hospitality matters: people who turn up need looking after. Travellers relied on that hospitality for basic needs.

The friend asks on someone else’s behalf. No one need go without: ask each other for your basic needs, as well as asking God for God’s gifts. Luke speaks of God giving the Holy Spirit: the Spirit is there to be wanted and asked for.

Plan

20250727 Jesus teaches to prayDownload
Create

Refreshments are served!		/treasure  You have 20 minutes or so to build something in response to the story, either on your own, or team up with others.

We shouldn’t be afraid to ask God for help in following him! He will give us what we ask for! In these activities “treasure” represents the help God gives us when we ask.
  • Create a map and clues to guide others to some treasure (Minecraft orienteering!)
  • Create a puzzle or a maze
  • Create a structure with a hidden level or compartment and behind the door there is treasure
  • Can you find the treasure that is already part of the world? Clue to the coordinates: 2×4 7×8 7×4
  • Write the Lord’s Prayer on a sign or in a Minecraft book. Could that be your hidden treasure?
WonderWhile you are creating, think about these questions with the adults on your table.
 
I Wonder: 
  • which part of this story you like the best?
  • what part is the most important?
  • where you are in this story or what part of the story is about you?
  • if there is any part of this story we can leave out and still have all the story we need?
There are many other things that can make us WONDER – what are you thinking about?
Final PrayerWe’ll finish with a prayer
PlayWe’ll put some music on and let your Minecraft characters dance about using jumping or emotes
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