Small Group Questions
Matthew 11:20-24
“Ichthus: 3 Portraits of Jesus”
Sermon Title: Jesus the Judge
Week of 18 October 2015
Scripture Reference: Matthew 11:20-24
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
20Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[a] For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Theme/ Concept: Jesus is entrusted with all judgment; a portrait of Jesus we like to avoid or ignore. Yet Judgment is there for those of us on the inside of the church. We need to take Jesus very seriously, not just as much as we are comfortable. And Jesus says we are accountable – we are held responsible for changed and transformed lives. So what needs to change in our lives? What do we need to hand over to Him? And how does this connect to our finances? Our giving?
Opening Question
A question similar to the following can help your small group start sharing and give everyone an opportunity to contribute. You might help your group members apply the scripture to their lives by sending them the question a few days before you meet to prepare for the discussion.
O1. Why do you think the concept of accountability seems so uncomfortable for most of us today?
Understanding the Scripture
A question like one of the following may help your group understand the concept of accountability within our financial lives.
Malachi 3:8-12 (NIV) (Background – The people (Israel) had agreed – and then reneged on the covenant they had made with God! They had agreed to be His people by obeying – and the tithe was part of that agreement. He, in turn, had agreed to be their God and bless them - to be a blessing!)
8“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ (A Tithe is giving the first 10%)
“In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
U1. Why would God talk like that? He sounds almost hurt? Is it possible to hurt God’s feelings? After ALL He had done for Israel? Looking deeper, what's behind that? Is it possible He might feel that way about us, too, with how blessed we are?
Matthew6:19-24 NIV (More background – Jesus talked more about money and possessions than any other single topic – more than even Heaven and hell, combined!)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin (KJ – rust!) destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
24- No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
U2. How would you summarize what Jesus is saying here? What is His point? Have you ever connected your finances with your walk with God? If you were going to restate it as a Principle, how would you say it?
(Eg. Our hearts follow what we treasure!)
Applying the Scripture
Small groups provide sacred space for this life-changing transformation and are essential in building authentic community. We have found when all our small groups live by a set of core values, we can stay on our mission of making disciples as a church. The five values can be found in the Small Group Leader Resources.
Every small group is different, use the questions that will be the most useful to your group members' growth. If you cover one goal one week, try to use a different section the next week to cover all the values.
Upward (Connecting to God)
A1. Can we REALLY make such a direct connection between our financial lives and our spiritual lives? How?
A2. What would Jesus say about us? What would He say takes first place in our lives?
Inward (Connecting to each other)
A3. Based on your group members' answers to the previous question, are you comfortable enough to ask each other about what you observe to be the most important thing in each other’s lives? Do you think these themes are common inside and outside the church? How could your group help each other to be more accountable and move each other towards a deeper relationship with God?
Outward (Serving through mission & outreach)
A4. If you needed to learn more about a Christian’s accountability and the interconnectivity to world around us, how would you do it?
A5. How involved are you in Mission Giving - both near and far?
A6. And how would you like to see your life grow in the area of giving?
The old Giving Saying goes “ If it were against the law to be a Christian – and you were arrested – would your check book contain enough evidence to convict you?”
What’s your response?
Forward (Equipping)
A7. How can we help each other – encourage each other in this area – when finances remain such a taboo subject?
Onward (Discipling)
A8. Who do you know outside the church who is most curious about Jesus and what causes them to be curious? That “unexplainable life” can be so powerful! Why is or why isn't this subject hard? How could you help them with their curiosity?