Week 5 - The New Testament

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Fun Small Group Warm Up Question:

What is your favorite Winter childhood memory?

New Testament

Matthew 7 ~ Matthew 8 ~ Luke 7 ~ Luke 8 ~ Matthew 11

1.     What does it mean to “judge” someone? (Matthew 7:1) What does it sound like? How is it received?  How is that different than a loving “rebuke” which is so often recommended and commanded (Proverbs 17:10, 27:5; Luke 17:3; 1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 4:2)? 

2.     Why does Jesus warn about hypocrisy and self-evaluation before helping others? (Matthew 7:1-5)

3.     Of the many short statements of Jesus in Matthew 7, which one stands out to you or helps you the most?

4.     Read Matthew 7:21-23.  Do you agree that this might be one of the scariest passages in the Bible?  Why or why not? 

5.     We see so many healings in Matthew 8.  How does it make you feel that we don’t see as many miraculous healings today?  When and where do we find our ultimate healing?

6.     Look at Jesus’ power over the demonic in Matthew 8:16, 28-34 & Luke 8:26-39.  Why do we need this reminder even today?

7.     What do you think was going through the disciples’ minds seeing all of these miracles of Jesus? (Luke 7:16-17)  Why were they so eager to tell everyone?  When do we lose our excitement for evangelism and missions?  How can we gain it back?

8.     What do you think Luke 7:47 means?  What is key to growing in our love for God and others?

9.     Do you like Jesus’ parables or find them difficult?  How is the parable of the sower (Luke 8:1-15) helpful in evaluating and testing the genuineness of one’s salvation (2 Corinthians 13:5)?

10.  Read Matthew 11:28-29.  How could you use this as a reminder and a prayer in the week ahead?