Sunday School Lesson May 2, 2021
Subject: Start With Prayer
The Point: God calls us to pray for others’ salvation.
The Passages: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Study The Bible: 1 Timothy 2:1-2
1). We are to pray for all people.
- First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,
- for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Lasting truths from: 1 Timothy 2:1-2
* Each Christian is to pray for the salvation of all people.
* An important part of prayer is for all people’s salvation.
* We must pray for government leaders so that they can produce conditions conducive for Christian witness.
* The words tranquil, quiet, godliness, and dignity describe what God desires our Christian witness to be.
1 Timothy 2:3-6
2). We are to align our prayers with God’s desire for all people to be saved.
- This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,
- who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
- who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
Lasting truth from: 1 Timothy 2:3-6
* Our praying pleases God.
* God desires all people to be saved, to come to the knowledge of the truth.
* Jesus is the only intermediary between God and people.
* Jesus is uniquely qualified to be the ransom for us.
1 Timothy 2:7-8
3). We are to pray for ourselves and others in sharing the gospel.
- For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
- Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.
Lasting truth from: 1 Timothy 2:7-8
* God appoints people in differing roles to guide churches.
* We are to pray for ourselves and others in sharing the gospel.
* The posture of our praying is less important than our character and our manner in praying.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this lesson, respond to the following questions:
- What explanations will God accept if I fail to pray for leaders in government or in church, regardless of whether I like them or not?
- How does my praying for government leaders help me to lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity?
- God commands me to pray for all people to be saved. If I don’t, what does that indicate about who is the Lord of my life.
- If I don’t pray with clean hands and a pure heart, how will God respond to my prayers?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”