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Sermon Series: We are currently going through a sermon series in the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we’re talking about a passage where Jesus teaches the crowd a parable, and then goes into more detail with His disciples.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
~Matthew 13:16-17 (ESV)
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Matthew 12:22-50 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- What surprised you as we talked about it?
- Have you ever wondered why Jesus spoke in parables so much? Have you ever considered that it was because of the people’s hard hearts? Why or why not?
- How does understanding why Jesus spoke in parables help you to have a deeper understanding of God’s goodness and mercy?
Diving In
- Read Matthew 13 verses 4 and 19 again. Have you ever fallen into this category before? Do you know anyone who would fall into this category, who has heard God’s truth, but not believed? How can you help that person to believe?
2. Read Matthew 13 verses 5-6, and 20-21 again. Have you ever been tempted to fall away when things get tough? What are those situations in your life where you are tempted to fall away the most? What stops you from falling away? Is there anyone in your life who would fall into this category? How can you help that person to come back to the faith?
3. Read Matthew 13 verses 7 and 22 again. Have you ever had a season of your life where you can look back at that you were distracted and unfruitful? What are, as Jesus puts it, the “cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches,” that tempt you to walk away from Jesus the most? Do you have anyone in your life that you know who would fall into this category? How can you help that person to come back to the faith?
4. Read Matthew 13 verses 8 and 23 again. Obviously, this is the category that we should all fall into. Read Galatians 5:22-23. How can you bear more fruit in your life? Spend some time asking God to help you to bear more fruit. How can you also help others to bear more fruit?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?