Bible Study - MATTHEW KING AND KINGDOM: Beyond Easter
Sermon-Based Bible Study – April 24, 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 28:16-20. When the resurrected Jesus met his disciples in Galilee, they worshipped Him but some doubted. What role does faith play in worship? Can you worship and doubt at the same time? What do you think they doubted - Jesus’s identity? Their ability to carry out the mission? Their understanding of God’s purpose and plan in all this?
- Jesus says that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. He is Lord over all. If Jesus is Lord, what does that mean as a practical matter for you? Do you consider the things Jesus said about how to live, behave, relate to God or others to be suggestions? Commands? Why?
- Chris said Jesus pursues us to commission us, not condemn us. What is the commission? Do you consider being a disciple to be your primary purpose in life? As a disciple, has your emphasis been more focused on understanding the teachings of Jesus or obeying them? Why?
- Dallas Willard defines a disciple of Jesus as “someone whose ultimate goal is to live their life the way Jesus would live if he were me.” How does adding the words “if he were me” refine or improve on the mantra “what would Jesus do?”
- Chris said that a disciple is someone who makes disciples. Is that a new thought to you? Why? Are you intentionally making disciples of Jesus? We don’t have to go anywhere a long ways off to help make a disciple, we can do it right where we are. How does understanding that Jesus commissioned you to “make disciples as you’re going along” help you obey this command?
- Chris pointed out that making disciples involves: (i) calling people’s attention to Jesus; (ii) baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and (iii) teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. Do you think Chris was right when he said we are reluctant to call others to obey Christ’s teachings? Why? What’s the connection between the idea that Jesus is Lord and obedience? How is trusting in Jesus’s love for us helpful when it comes to obeying His teaching?
- 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?