Introduction
In this session, chapter 18:1-11, Jesus took the 11 disciples to Gethsemane for a prayer practical to give them an opportunity to practice prayer so that they may not fall into temptations. We are also introduced to an evil interruption during a night watch, vigil, or Kesha. (a night of prayer), that brought Jesus and some disciples into illegal court. The last soul-winning event for the troubled disciples was to pray for them, with them, and alongside them.
Objectives
By the end of this session, the learner will have:
- Understood the principles of practical prayer as a resource for victory during the persecution of believers as they travel through hostile cultures
- Appreciated the model of a self-prayer session to help you not to fall into temptation.
Outline
- Self-Prayer as a resource for victory in times of trouble
- Corporate Intercessory prayer
- Dealing with intrusion during prayer
- Betrayal by a trusted friend
Group Study Time
John 18:1-11
Connecting
- Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
- Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
- Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
- Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.
Comprehending
- What is the difference between intercessory prayer and a prayer for self? Why had Jesus taken the 11 disciples to Gethsemane? John 18:1.
- What is a night watch or night vigil? What would you do if you went for a night watch (Kesha) and were interrupted by evil men?
- Read John 18: 2-11. Identify the groups and the persons who were in Gethsemane on that night. What is revealed about each person or group? Why did these persons act the way they did? What did Jesus do in that night?
Committing
- Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
- List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
- Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
- Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
- Sin to confess
- Promise to claim
- Attitude to change
- Command to keep
- Error to change
- Prayer to make
- Example to copy
- Truth to obey and
- Something praiseworthy
Communicating
- Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
- Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
- Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.
Post Lesson Teaching Summary
Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!
Winning Disciples through self-prayer practicals
John 18:1-11
Audio Summary
John 18:1-11
- Context:
- Systematic Bible study is key; the Bible interprets itself across passages, revealing answers over time.
- Last 24 hours before Jesus’ death were a long, troubling night for disciples—worried, confused, dissatisfied, expecting liberation from Rome, not understanding death as victory.
- God’s plan: Death liberates the soul from sin (from Adam’s fall to animal sacrifices), culminating in Jesus as the Lamb of God.
- Transition to Practical Prayer:
- Jesus encouraged disciples not to worry, promising His departure benefited them (John 14-16); prayed for them en route from the upper room (John 17).
- John 18:1-11: After praying, Jesus led the 11 disciples across the Kidron Valley to Gethsemane, a frequent meeting spot, for practical prayer.
- Purpose of Gethsemane Prayer:
- Shift from Jesus praying for them (John 17) to teaching them to pray for themselves, a resource to avoid temptation.
- Jesus urged, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation,” but found them sleeping, asking, “Can’t you tarry one hour?”—emphasizing prayer’s necessity.
- Modeled praying alongside them, a stone’s throw away, to wean them into self-reliance in prayer.
- Evil Interruption:
- Judas, knowing Gethsemane, led soldiers and officials with torches and weapons, interrupting the prayer vigil (night of Kesha/watch).
- Prayer ensures victory over such interruptions; corporate prayer strengthens despite the enemy ’s predictable tactics (steal, kill, destroy).
- Types of Prayer:
- Intercessory prayer (John 17): Praying for others, including future generations.
- Prayer for self (John 18): Invest in personal strength for present and future trials, as foreigners facing obstacles (1 Peter 2:11).
- Consequences of Not Praying:
- Devil’s unchanging strategies are countered by Jesus’ eternal consistency; prayer confounds the enemy.
- Peter’s failure to pray led to denying Jesus, guilt, and bitter weeping; prayer prevents such falls.
- Application:
- Invest in prayer for current and future challenges, trusting it as a resource to stand firm against interruptions.