ON
OUR KNEES – LEARNING FROM MEN OF PRAYER
WANTING GOD’S BEST
LESSON #4 – JABEZ
A COMPLETE LESSON
INTERACTION
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Many men want things that are the “best”! What are some of those things? For example – “The Best Truck”.
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What are some problems associated with wanting what is
best?
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What are some of the things that we should seek the
best in, such as, the best marriage relationship possible?
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What are some of the best things that God has to
offer? Why do we not always want them?
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How should we go about getting God’s best?
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 - And Jabez was more honourable
than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare
him with sorrow. [10] And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that
thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might
be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve
me! And God granted him that which he requested.
In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, a
long genealogy is interrupted by the author in order to point out a man named
Jabez. He
stops his droning of names for a moment to point out one man, Jabez, who was
different from everyone else! It seems
that he's saying, "Don't miss this guy, he's special."
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What do you think it means that Jabez was more
honorable than his brethren?
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We should try to be honorable in all areas of life.
What are some of those specific areas?
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Jabez’ name means “pain”, “sorrow” or
“sorrowful”. His mother bore him in
sorrow or “pain”. Perhaps it was the
pain of child-birth or perhaps the mother was a widow when he was born.
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In spite of life being hard for Jabez he turned out
well. It is because he asked God for the things he wanted.
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Do you think this was a selfish prayer? What is the
reason for your opinion?
JABEZ WANTED GOD’S BLESSING
Oh that thou
wouldest bless me indeed…
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Jabez wanted great blessings from God. Why should we want the same?
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Who should decide what blessings we get and why?
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In what ways has God already blessed the believer?
Ephesians 1:3-7 - Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] According as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption
of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his
will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved. [7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
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What are some of the blessings that God is willing to
bestow upon the believer according to the following scriptures?
Numbers 6:24-26 - The
Lord bless thee, and keep thee: [25] The Lord make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: [26] The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and
give thee peace.
Philippians 1:2 - Grace
be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:13 - Now
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may
abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
JABEZ WANTED GOD’S INFLUENCE
…and enlarge
my coast…
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Jabez was asking God to enlarge his borders or his
realm of influence.
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What are the areas of influence in our lives?
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In what ways would it be good to expand our influence?
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In what ways should we want God to expand the
influence of our church?
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What must we be ready to do when we pray this prayer
for ourselves and our church?
JABEZ WANTED GOD’S POWER
…and that
thine hand might be with me…
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What is Jabez admitting here that we men sometimes
have trouble admitting?
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Why is the order of this request in Jabez prayer
significant?
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Comment on the importance of these verses for those of
us who would like to see our realm of influence increase:
Zechariah 4:6 - Then he answered and
spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying,
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
John 15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more
can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me
ye can do nothing.
JABEZ WANTED GOD’S PROTECTION
…and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!
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Why do you think Jabez made this request?
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How will doing wrong grieve you?
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How will keeping short accounts with God give you God’s
best?
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How does the wrong that others do grieve us?
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How can God protect us from what others do to
grieve us?
A PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK:
1. Bless me indeed.
2. Enlarge my area of influence.
3. Put your hand upon me.
4. Keep me from evil that it might not grieve me.
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