Bible Study - MATTHEW KING AND KINGDOM: Interruptions
Sermon-Based Bible Study – April 3, 2022
- What is something God has done for you that you are thankful for? What is something you are celebrating? How have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness this week?
- Where are you experiencing stress, anxiety or discouragement? How would you like to see God move in your life or in the life of someone close to you?
- What did you hear in this week’s sermon that was new or particularly interesting? Did anything stand out to you as puzzling or troubling?
- Read Matthew 27:11-26. Pilate’s life is interrupted by Jesus. Make a list of the “voices” that are attempting to influence Pilate in this situation. Who or what are the prevailing voices in your life right now? Are there any voices that have more leverage on you than does Jesus and His Kingdom?
- What do you think it means to say that choosing Jesus eventually involves confronting our own self-interest? Do you ever deal with the fear that if you really take Jesus seriously as King then it’ll be the end of your life? What is it about your life that would come to an end if Jesus was truly Lord of your life? Why do you fear losing that?
- Barabbas’s life was interrupted by Jesus in completely unexpected way. Barabbas helps us remember that we’re not freed because we’re innocent – we’re freed because Jesus took our place. How often do you remember that? What helps you keep that truth at the front of your mind?
- Read Matthew 27:32 and Mark 15:21. Simon’s life was also interrupted by Jesus. Often, the gospel writers will identify people by name because their readers would know who they are or because their readers could verify the story with the named individuals. If you could talk to Simon, what would you ask him, or say to him, about carrying Jesus’s cross? How long do you think it was before Simon considered carrying Jesus’s cross an honor instead of a curse?
- Has your life ever been “interrupted” by Jesus in way that seemed like it was more of a curse than a blessing? Has anything ever happened to you that might be considered a curse, but in reality it was a blessing because it drew you closer to Jesus?
- Which of these three do you identify more with right now? Pilate and the decision he faced? Barabbas and the blessing of being freed because Jesus took your place? Or Simon and the realization that what you thought was such a terrible thing turned out to be the thing that drew you closer to Jesus?
- What is a simple, next step you could take in obedience to what the Spirit is saying to you through this time in the Word? Who would benefit, or be interested in hearing about what you’ve learned in this study?