BIBLE STUDY
"THE PRAYER OF JABEZ BIBLE STUDY"
(By Bruce Wilkinson)
(10/8/13)
INTRODUCTION:
I am excited about my new Bible study, and hope others will join me with their Bible study too. This study will last for six to seven weeks. As I said earlier, I have read this book, but have never really sit down and study it; good time to do so now.
Father God, bless this study for our growth and more knowledge of Your Word, and most of all to learn how to ask and receive from You as we need, amen.
Let's get started with our introduction today……………………
A PRAYER TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE:
Sometime around three thousand years ago, one of history's great nobodies decided to pray. when he looked at himself and his circumstances, he saw no reason for hope. But when he prayed, he prayed the boldest, most hopeful prayer he could imagine. And God answered.
God is still answering. The prayer of a man named Jabez is motivating millions of people today to seek the Lord in a new way, to cry out to Him for blessing, and to reach for a larger life in His service. Are you one? Then you too are an answer to Jabez's prayer.
Once you see what God can do through His most ordinary servants, you'll never want to slide back into mediocre living. For too long, Christians have drastically underestimated God's desire to bless them and work through them to accomplish His will in the world, even in our current situation.
If Jabez were around today, he'd be quick to tell you that the words of his little prayer hold no magical powers. But he would also tell you that if you want to experience God's greater purpose for your life-no matter how unpromising your circumstances might be right now-you're just a prayer away.
In This study we will do (Keys) (Extras) and (Talk points). This study will last up to (6) weeks. I am looking forward to this. I have read this book many times, but never actually studied it. And this is a good time to do it.
Keys indicate a key verse, question, definition, or explanation that you won't want to miss.
Extra indicates optional material for further study. Use this to help you decide what materials you can leave for later.
Talk Point indicates a group process question that focuses on life experience.
SCRIPTURE:
(I Chronicles 4:9-10)
"And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 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."
This scripture will be post in every week's study in a different version for deeper study.
1. The verses of the text contain all that the Bible says about Jabez.
a. They are found in what is usually regarded as dry genealogical records.
b. But certainly no thoughtful person would call these verses dry.
2. But even if these records do not furnish as interesting reading matter as do other parts of the Bible it is evident that they should not be skipped.
a. For in making his way through these uninviting chronicles of births and deaths,
the reader does not know what treasure he may light upon.
b. These words of the text are a fine example of this idea.
c. Such experience is like finding a flower in the desert; a treasure hidden in the
sand; or a star peeping through the dark storm clouds.
If you haven't read The Prayer of Jabez yet, I highly recommend you do. If you're new to the story, you'll find it in above, which is found in I Chronicles, buried in the official genealogies of the tribes of Israel. The historian, writing about 500 B.C., traces the official family tree of Jews from Adam through thousands of years up to his own time. That endeavor makes for hundreds of names-most of them unfamiliar and hard to pronounce.
Take chapter 4. The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. And that's just verse one. Not exactly suspenseful reading! But, mid-litany, the chronicler stops. One name deserves special comment: Jabez
In the next verse, the roll call continues as if nothing has happened---Chelub, Shuab, Mehir. . .You can scour from front to back in the Bible as I have, looking for more insight into this man Jabez, and you'll find nothing. We know simply that things started badly for a person no one had heard of; he prayed an unusual, one-sentence prayer; and things ended extraordinarily well.
That one prayer and a life that was "more honorable than his brothers" earned Jabez a place of honor in Israel's history books. And fortunately for us, his mini-biography reveals an intriguing record of personal transformation. In only two verses, we see cause and effect-beginning, middle, and end. And if we look hard enough, we find hiding behind each of his four requests a truth that can change our lives and our futures.
Where Miracles Begin:
Personal change begins when you cry out to God for what He wants for you with hands open and heart expectant. Miracles begin here, too. Each week you'll see new beginning and new opportunities. You'll think new thoughts. The direction and impact of your life will shift. And your name, like Jabez's will be headed for God's honor roll for all eternity.
As we study remember that you are in full pursuit of blessing from a God who can "do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20).
May He strengthen and guide you, and bless you indeed!
OBSERVE, JABEZ THE MAN.
A. We do not know who Jabez was, except that in 4:1 we see this list was the
descendants of Judah.
1. This brief history of Jabez is both interesting and stimulating.
2. From the occurrence of the same name in Ch. 2:55, it has been assumed that
Jabez was the founder of the schools or colleges of the scribes.
B. Observe His Name.
1. Scripture names are often significant.
2. This was given to him by his mother, in token, and memory of the sorrow in
which she bore her son.
3. Just what these circumstances were, we're not told.
widowed mother lonely and sad as she thought of the new cares and
responsibilities which come upon her as she attempted to rear her
fatherless child.
b. It may have been that the family was in deep poverty, and she saw no
way to provide for an additional helpless child.
c. Or again, it may have been that the mother of Jabez was subject to
unusual suffering and peril in giving birth to him.
(1. Consider Rachel. Gen. 35:16-18.
(2. She may have thought she might have to leave this innocent babe
in the cold and stormy world and for that reason she called him
Jabez, "because," she said, "I bear him with sorrow."
C. Jabez, A Man of Prayer.
1. Of the man Jabez, we have only this brief account. He is known only by his
prayer. Yet, the prayer reveals to us an amazing revelation about his
character.
2. We see a man who believes in and practices prayer. We are impressed by the
determined and earnest directness of the prayer.
3. It serves us as a good model prayer.
D. When we examine the tone of the prayer, we see a humble Jabez.
1. He has a deep sense of personal helplessness, and a trembling fear of
responsibility.
E. The prayer reveals that Jabez was intelligent and thoughtful.
1. He had formed a sensible estimate of life. To him life was work, duties,
Responsibilities, cares, and trust.
2. And for it all he recognized the need of a guiding and upholding hand.
Let's observe Jabez's prayer…………………...
We see his prayer was to the God of Israel.
1. The God of his father, the God of the covenant.
2. Though not in his address, we are told that he called on the God of Israel.
3. An example for us to address our prayer to the One supreme God, not to a false
notion of God. (Vs. prayer as only psychological help)
Week (2) two we will look at the beginning of Jabez's prayer.
Prayer for a good study………………………….
We thank You Father, we praise You, and we honor You, because You are a good God. We love You. Father God, bless this new study, so we can become more aware of Your presence, and Your goodness. Bless us with the Holy Spirit's knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of this study. Father, we thank You for creating within us a wise and discerning heart, so that we are able to distinguish between right and wrong, so that we can understand this study with hearts of reacceptances of Your Word. Father, we trust in You with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways we acknowledge You, and You will make our path straight. Through Your precepts we get understanding; therefore, we hate every false ways. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path in this study. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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