Week 15 - The New Testament

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Fun Small Group Warm Up Question:

If you could eat anything for lunch, what would it be?

New Testament

Matthew 25 ~ Matthew 26 ~ Mark 14 ~ Luke 22 ~ John 13

1.     Has anyone ever called you foolish or stupid?  What did that feel like?  Has anyone called you wise or smart?  How did that encourage you?  What is the difference between the “foolish” and the “wise” virgins in Matthew 25:1-13? How does that apply to us today?

2.     In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) several servants are entrusted by the master with His resources.  What resources has God entrusted to you?  How does seeing this description of resources, accountability, reward, and punishment affect your perspective on life?  How might it affect our priorities this week?

3.     Read Matthew 25:34. How does this encourage you?  What was the evidence of their salvation?

4.     Read Matthew 25:41. How does this affect you?  What was the evidence of their lostness?

5.     God warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:12–13 “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. [13] No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (ESV).  Considering Matthew 26 (Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the disciples’ abandonment of Jesus), how might Satan, the world or your flesh tempt you to abandon Jesus?  Before you were saved, how were you held captive apart from Christ?  How has God changed you since then?  What ways is God providing you to escape and endure temptations today?

6.     Jesus replies to His enemies’ attacks with silence, boldness, rebuke, and wise questions.  What temptations do we face when we are attacked by enemies?  How can we prepare for and respond better the next time we are confronted by evil?

7.     Read Mark 14:3-9.  Why is what this woman did so “beautiful”?  How does the world see Christian living as “wasteful”?  In what beautiful ways do we worship Jesus?

8.     Luke 22:3 says “Satan entered into Judas.”  Did the devil make Judas betray Jesus?  Or did Judas already belong to Satan as evidence by his ongoing sin of theft? (John 12:6)

9.     How does the Lord’s Supper help us regain a biblical perspective on life? (Luke 22:14-23)

10.  How was Jesus mocked then? (Luke 22:63-65). How do we see Jesus mocked today?  Why should we expect to be hated today (John 15:18-25)?

11.  Read Matthew 5:10-12 and Luke 6:22-23.  Consider how the apostles were beaten and their response was to rejoice and serve with greater passion and boldness (Acts 5:41-42).  How is it blessed to be mistreated?  How can we prepare for such suffering?