The Lord's Prayer - Lesson 5: Hallowed Be Your Name

The Lord’s Prayer

Lesson 5: Hallowed Be Your Name

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name;

Your kingdom come;

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors;

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

Matthew 6:9b [ASV] Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:9b may your name be kept holy.

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

HALLOW

HAL'LOW, v.t. [L. calleo, to be able.]

1. To make holy; to consecrate; to set apart for holy or religious use. Ex.28.29. 1 Kings 8.

2. To devote to holy or religious exercises; to treat as sacred.

Hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein. Jer.17.

3. To reverence; to honor as sacred.

Hallowed be thy name.

"hallow." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/hallow (7 August 2014).

HALLOWED

HAL'LOWED, pp. Consecrated to a sacred use, or to religious exercises; treated as sacred; reverenced.

"hallowed." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/hallowed (7 August 2014).

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The Lord's Prayer teaches us both how to pray and how to live.

What are we asking in this prayer when we pray “hallowed be your name”?

We are asking that I and we would love and honor God's name as we ought in our thoughts, words and deeds.

We are asking that God's name would be honored and revered among the gentiles (non-Christians) as a result of my and our good works (Matthew 5:16) done in Jesus' name, and as a result of signs and wonders that take place through the name of Jesus (acts 4:29-30).

How does “hallowed by your name” teach us how to live?

This prayer teaches us to value and exalt the name of God above every other name. We learn that we should not seek our own glory, but God's glory first.

This prayer teaches us to live such a life, both as individuals and as the body of Christ, that men would see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Would it be right to ask God that his name would be hallowed, while at the same time we live in sin so that God's name is blasphemed? May our heavenly Father grant us grace to be holy even as he is holy.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Begin by reminding the children that we are learning about the Lord's Prayer, and that this lesson is about the first petition (or request) in the Lord's Prayer - “Hallowed be your name.”

Give a simple definition or explanation of the word “hallowed.” One way to explain it is to say that it means to set apart as special. For example, you may have many blankets in your home, but some of you have or had a special blanket. In a sense, that blanket was hallowed, or set apart special for you. There are many names in the world, but God's name is set apart from all the rest as special, because God is set apart from everyone else. If you put your special blanket into someone else’s hands, how would you want them to treat it? God has put his special (holy) name into the hands of the disciples of Jesus Christ. Because God’s children have his special and holy name, how they live and treat others each day affects God’s name. If they walk in humble and sincere obedience to God, they thus treat God’s name as special and holy, and also thus show it to be holy to the world around them.

Another way to explain to the children our connection to God’s name, and it’s connection to us: What is your family name? Where did you get that name? (From your Dad.) What determines what other people think of that name? If you behave well, what do you think other people will think of your family name? If you behave badly, what do you think people will think of your family name, and think of the person from whom you got that name? Those who are disciples of Jesus Christ are children of God. They bear God’s name. What do you think other people will think of God’s name, and so about God, if God’s children behave well, if they are obedient children? And what do you think other people will think of God’s name, and so about God, if God’s children behave badly, if they are disobedient children? It is about this case that God says, All day long my name if blasphemed because of you. One way that God’s name is hallowed, that it is set apart as a good name, as the best name belonging to the best God, is that his children walk in whole-hearted obedience to their Father in heaven.

You can use the three stories below (Daniel 3; Mark 5:1-20; Acts 3-4) to give examples in which God's name was hallowed (exalted, set apart as special). If time or attention span is short, it may work better to summarize the stories (instead of reading them) and read only the portions that emphasize the point of God's name being hallowed. It may be helpful to introduce the stories by challenging the children to find in the story how God's name was hallowed (or set apart as special). Other questions may help them to consider the stories they heard, such as, Who hallowed God's name? How was it hallowed? What did they say about God or his name in the story?

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Daniel 3:16-18 [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. [18] But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

Daniel 3:28-29 [28] Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. [29] Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort.

The three friends honored God and his name through their words to Nebuchadnezzar, and also through their faithfulness and obedience to God. As a result of this, King Nebuchadnezzar honored God and his name when the three friends came out of the fiery furnace unharmed.

Mark 5:1-20 [18] As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. [19] He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.” [20] He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.

This man, who was formerly a demoniac (possessed by a demon), lived among the tombs, could not be restrained by ropes or chains, cut himself, and was constantly crying out – this man had been healed by Jesus by the power of God. After he was healed, this man wanted to stay with Jesus. Instead, Jesus sent him back to his home to tell them what great things God had done for him. He obeyed. He was not just a man who liked to tell stories. Rather, he told the story of Jesus coming and healing him out of obedience to the one he now loved. In his obedient proclamation, God was glorified.

Acts 3:6-7 [6] But Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” [7] He took him by the right hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.

Acts 3:12-16 [12] When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. [14] But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. [16] By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Acts 4:5-12 [5] In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. [6] Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. [7] When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, [9] if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, [10] be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand here before you whole. [11] He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ [12] There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”

Acts 3-4 tells the story of the apostles Peter and John and the lame man healed at the temple. When first the crowd of people wondered at this miracle, Peter lifted up the name of Jesus (Acts 3:16). The next day, when the rulers demanded an explanation from Peter and John, they again lifted up the name of Jesus above every other name. The name of God was hallowed, both by the words of the apostles, and by the miracle that had occurred in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:6).

More Stories and Examples:

Acts 5:1-13 [1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, [2] and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. [3] But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? [4] While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.” [5] Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things. [6] The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. [7] About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. [8] Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.” [9] But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” [10] She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. [11] Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. [12] By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. [13] None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them.

Other Verses:

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Malachi 2:2 If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name,” says Yahweh of Armies, “then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart.

Matthew 5:13-16 [13] “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. [14] You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. [15] Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. [16] Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 2:5-11 [5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.

LOVE THE NAME OF THE LORD

Psalm 5:11 But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you.

Psalm 69:35-36 [35] For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it. [36] The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell therein.

Psalm 119:132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

Isaiah 56:6-7 [6] Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, to minister to him, and to love Yahweh’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant; [7] even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

Hebrews 6:9-12 [9] But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this. [10] For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. [11] We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, [12] that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.

NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED

Isaiah 52:5 “Now therefore, what do I do here,” says Yahweh, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them mock,” says Yahweh, “and my name continually all the day is blasphemed.

Ezekiel 36:17-23 [17] Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their way and by their doings: their way before me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. [18] Therefore I poured out my wrath on them for the blood which they had poured out on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols; [19] and I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. [20] When they came to the nations, where they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of Yahweh, and are gone out of his land. [21] But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, where they went. [22] Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. [23] I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, says the Lord Yahweh, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Romans 2:23-24 [23] You who glory in the law, through your disobedience of the law do you dishonor God? [24] For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

Titus 2:1-10 [1] But say the things which fit sound doctrine, [2] that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: [3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; [4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed. [6] Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded; [7] in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, [8] and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. [9] Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; [10] not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.