Matthew 19: 1-15

Divorce

The Pharisees approach Jesus to test Him again...

1. Review the discussion between the Pharisees and Jesus in vs 3-7 

-In your opinion, what motivated the Pharisees to ask this question?

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2. How does the world view marriage and divorce? Does the world really see the union of marriage as two people becoming one flesh? 

3. Do people get divorced for "any and every reason" in 2009? Why does man try to separate what God has joined together?

Review vs 8 and 9

1. What did Jesus mean when He said that Moses permitted divorce because of hard hearts? What does the condition of one's heart have to do with divorce?

2. Why did Jesus allow marital unfaithfulness as a reason for divorce? If your partner was to commit adultery, would you HAVE to divorce him or her? Could you choose to stay with the person after they have sinned against you?

Have some members in your group gone through a divorce? Was marital unfaithfulness a reason for the divorce? Would they be ok with never marrying again? 

The Little Children and Jesus

Review vs 13-15

 Why did Jesus always take time to meet with children?

-When Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is made up for people like this...what did He mean?

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 19: 1-15

Matthew 18:15-35

A Brother Who Sins Against You

1. Review vs 5

-What are some sins that people commit against each other?

-Is the method that Jesus discussed in this verse the way people usually bring up the fault of others?

-How do people generally respond when you bring their fault to their attention?

-What did Jesus mean when He said, "you have won him over?" Won him over from what?

2. Read Deuteronomy 19:15 as a group. Then, review v 16

-What would cause someone to not listen to your concern?

-Why did Jesus' advice include bringing two or three witnesses?

-How would you discuss the issue with these witnesses before hand? When would it become gossip?

-Would it be expected that the witnesses are silent during the encounter or should they have some input?

-Do you think that the one guilty of the sin would feel that he/she is being "backed into a corner" by the presence of these two or three other people that are unrelated to the transgression?

3. Review v 17

 Jesus stated that if the one that sinned against you refuses to listen to you in the presence of two or three witnesses, then the matter should be brought up to the church.

-Do you think this is an extreme response? 

-Is this a fairly common practice? If not, why not? 

-When would be the appropriate time for this discussion with the whole church? Why would the sin against you be any of their business?

Jesus continued by saying that if the sinner refused to listen to the whole church, treat him as you would a pagan.

-What does Jesus mean? 

-What would compel someone to ignore the counsel of so many people?

4. Review v 18

-What did Jesus mean by "binding" and "loosing?"

-How does spiritual discipline relate to this verse?

5. Review vs 19-20

-Was Jesus specifically talking about spiritual accountability when he said these verses?

-What are some other applications in which you have heard these verses used? Are they being used in the correct context?

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

1. Review vs 21 and 22

-What was the motive behind Peter's question?

-Do you have someone in your life that you find yourself always forgiving?

-Is it easier to forgive someone that is repentant? 

-What if it didn't bother them that they hurt you so many times? Would you still forgive them?

-In today's society, is it likely that you would give someone seven chances to hurt you? 

-Is Jesus' response unrealistic? Are you capable of forgiving someone 77 times?

-From a legalistic sense, after the 78th time, are you off the hook? Can you start holding anger in your heart for them then? 

-When you would you begin to question how much of a "brother" they are to you?

2. Review Jesus parable in vs 23-35

-Why was this servant called "unmerciful?"

-Have there been times in your life where you have held a transgression against someone for an extended amount of time? Why?

-Despite the level of sin that Christ has forgiven us for, are we sometimes guilty of the sin shown by this unmerciful servant?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 18: 15-35

Matthew 18:1-14

Hey folks, thanks for giving me some time away with my family over Easter! Here is the next blog entry!

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

1. Review vs 1

-Why would the disciples ask Jesus this question? What was their motivation?

2. Review Jesus' response in verses 2-5.

-What does this look like?

-Why did Jesus address pride in his response to the disciples?

-Is pride a problem for you? Do you think that it would be difficult for you to humble yourself in the manner that Jesus suggests?

3. Review verses 5-8.

-As we look at our culture, what are some of the things that "cause people to sin?"

-Is this the motivation of the companies that produce or sell these items?

-Should they be held accountable or are they just making a living like you and I?

4. Review vs 8 and 9

-Is this teaching section difficult? Why?

-Is Jesus literally asking us to cut off body parts to help us deal with sin? If not, what is the point he is trying to make?

-Are there sin areas in your life that need to be addressed in an aggressive manner?

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1. Review vs 12-14

-If a shepherd did have 100 sheep, do you think he would really care if one of them disappeared? Would he notice that one of them had wandered off? 

As most of us are not shepherds, let me present another way of looking at this section:

If you had 3 children and one of them wandered off, imagine the grief and worry that you would feel. It is likely that you would put off everything in your life to look for this child...

-With this in mind, discuss how it grieves our Father in Heaven when one of his children wander away from him.

Teacher: Paul Sabino

Matthew 18: 1-14

Easter Weekend

April 10, 11 and 12

Celebrate Christ's death and resurrection this weekend as we present "Ragman," a musical adapted from the short story by Walter Wangerin, Jr.

Set in modern day, urban America, "Ragman" is the story of five people and how their lives were transformed by a man who exchanged their dirty rags for clean rags. 

Join us for one of five identical Easter Weekend Services.

Friday: 7:30pm

Saturday: 5:30 and 7:30 pm

Sunday: 9 and 11:00 am

Childcare is provided for infants through Kindergarten at all services. (First and second graders should attend the service with their families.) Children ages three and under will not be permitted in the auditorium during any of the five services.

Speaker: Paul Sabino