Week 12 - The New Testament
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Fun Small Group Warm Up Question:
What is your favorite super hero? Super villain?
New Testament
Matthew 19 ~ Matthew 20 ~ Mark 10 ~ Luke 18 ~ Luke 19
1. Read Luke 16:18 from last week and Matthew 5:31-32. Read Matthew 19:1-12 and Mark 10:1-12. Why does Jesus teach on such a controversial topic? Why do we like to avoid, skim through, or justify ourselves on such tough teachings? If we are convicted about past failures, on this topic or others, what are we called to do?
2. What is Jesus talking about in Matthew 19:26 when he says “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”? Why do we need this instruction and reminder?
3. Why is Jesus emphasizing “the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 19:30, 20:16)? See how James and John were leveraging for power, position, authority, and fame (Mark 10:35-45). How might we be tempted in our own circles by our own struggles with pride?
4. Why does Jesus so explicitly and repeatedly predict his death and resurrection (Matthew 20:17-19, 16:21-23, 17:22-23, 26:2)? Why do you think God gives us so many “end times” warnings and details? Why are some of these predictions “hidden from” us (Luke 18:34)? Why would Jesus do that?
5. When the two blind men call out to Jesus, “Lord, have mercy on us”, how should that remind us for our daily need of God’s mercy (not giving us the punishment we deserve) and grace (giving us the blessing of forgiveness and spiritual life that we do not deserve)? How were we spiritually blind before meeting Jesus? How has Jesus spiritually given us sight? (Matthew 20:29-34).
6. We are told of Bartimaeus by name specifically (Mark 10:46-52), and that he “immediately recovered his sight and followed him on the way” and was “glorifying God” (Luke 18:43). How should Bartimaeus’ example inspire our own ultimate purpose and calling in life?
7. When the rich young ruler turns away from Jesus “disheartened” (Mark 10:22) how does it remind us of our own previous rejections of lack of prioritization of Jesus?
8. Read Luke 18:1-8. When are we tempted to give up on our prayer requests? Why does Jesus give us this example (Luke 18:1)? In what area is God calling you to not give up hope and to keep praying?
9. How are the Pharisees described in Luke 18:9? How would those who know us best describe us? How would we want to be described?
10. Tax collectors like Zacchaeus were hated and avoided. What are some types and groups of people that we might consciously or sub-consciously avoid or ignore in our own lives? How did Jesus treat Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)? Why? How does Jesus want to change our hearts towards the marginalized or maligned in our society today? What opposition might we face in doing that?
11. Read Luke 19:28-40. How does the response of the crowd move you? Why should we weep over our own communities like Jesus did over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44)? Have our churches lost focus on our main priorities (Luke 19:45-48)?