QUESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS & SMALL GROUPS

Welcome to our online sermon questions. Our goal is to provide you with enough material that you will be able to more fully process the sermon and take away insights that are applicable to your daily life. We hope this will be a valuable resource for individuals and small groups.

Sermon Discussion Questions
Date: November 16, 2008
Title: The Greatest Man: the Extremist
Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

1. When you think of “extremist,” what does that connote to you?  In what way was John the Baptist an “extremist?”
2. Pastor Mark offered two possible interpretations of the phrase, “…the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing.”  One means that the kingdom is suffering violence and persecution.  The other meaning is just what it sounds like…that the advance of the kingdom requires force, effort, courage…extremism.  Consider the context of the passage.  Which interpretation do you think is correct?
3. The last of verse 19 can be confusing.  Luke’s version says that “wisdom is proven by God’s children.”  If wisdom means “God’s purpose or plan” and God’s children are the ones who DO participate with God…who do dance and sing, etc. (see vv. 17-18), then what is Jesus saying in summary?
4. What did you think about the video in Mark’s sermon?  In what way are “consumerism” and “extremism” opposites?
5. What one extreme thing do you sense God calling you to?  What would it take for you to obey that call?

Sermon Discussion Questions
Date: November 9,  2008
Title:The Greatest Man: the Doubter
Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

 1. As Jesus prepares his disciples for the mission they are about to embark upon, he deals with a very practical matter: How will they eat?  He forbids two possible options.  What are they and why does he forbid it?

 

2. If we assume that these marching orders are not just for the first century disciples back then, but also for Jesus’ disciples right now…then what are the implications for us?  About the way we live?  The way we give?  What part does faith play in these instructions?

 

3. Pastor Mark spoke of the implied minimum of Christian stewardship in this text: that those who are being ministered to have a responsibility to help support that ministry.  But he also said that this is a far cry from genuine Christian stewardship.  If our call to “Give” is more than about just doing our fair share, what IS it about?  Why, then, do we give and how do we make that decision?