Matthew 13: 24-52

Note from Jeff Dodge:

As we talked about at our last meeting, we are encouraging our church family to spend the season of Lent in prayerful anticipation of celebrating the resurrection of Christ. I think it could be a remarkable and life changing journey for us.

This weekend I will be talking to the Cornerstone family about this and I will encourage them to make it a discussion in their Connection Group. I want you to take a look at the blog that we have created as a guide. It includes a lot of helpful information on what Lent is, how we are seeking to celebrate it, and also some helpful ideas for how to make it personal. Here is the address for the blot: 

http://agladsurrender.blogspot.com/

Encourage the people in your group to use Lent as a time to pray and fast in a way that perhaps will be brand new to them. Help them talk about ways that will make it meaningful. Encourage one another and do this together- a great way to spur one another toward Christ. 

And, finally, I want to encourage you and the people in your group to add comments to some of the daily blogs- so that others can share your joy and so that we can learn from one another.

Thanks for shepherding God's People!

Jeff

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Teaching: February 14th/15th

The Parable of the Weeds

Review vs 24-31 and 36-43

1. Jesus explained that He is the one that sowed the good seed and the field is the world.

-That said, who are the people that are sleeping in vs 25?

-Should they have been on the lookout for the enemy?

2. Jesus explained that the weeds are the sons of the evil one.

-What would one of these sons look like?

-Why would the enemy sow weeds among the wheat?

3. Do you agree with the farmer's decision to wait until the harvest to deal with the weeds?

4. Why would Jesus say that the "Kingdom of Heaven" is comparable to this parable?

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Review vs 31- 33

How is the Kingdom of Heaven comparable to a small seed that becomes bigger over time?

-Why didn't the Kingdom of Heaven start big and continue to get bigger?

The Parable of the Yeast

Review vs 33

1. What is the dough of this parable? How about the flour?

2. Is the Kingdom of Heaven "working all through the dough" right now?

 

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Review vs 44-47

1. How or why is the Kingdom of Heaven hidden in the first place?

2. Why would someone that finds it, hide it again?

3. Is the reaction of everyone that finds this treasure the same? 

-Why would some "sell everything they have" for it and others wouldn't?

4. What was your reaction when you discovered the "pearl of great value?"

-Did you feel it was worth selling everything of importance to you to hold onto it?

The Parable of the Net

Review vs 47-52

1. Who are the fishermen in this parable? 

-What are "bad fish?"

2. Why would the angels wait until the end of the age to separate the wicked from the righteous? Why not do it now?

Additional question:

 Jesus began all of these parables with the phrase, "the Kingdom of Heaven is like..." Why did Jesus portray the Kingdom of Heaven in so many ways?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 13: 24-52