Matthew 11:9-24

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Matthew 11:9-24

Responding With Zeal

August 18, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 11:9–24

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Sermon Discussion Questions:

1) What qualities made John the Baptist great in Jesus’ eyes, and how can we seek to imitate his zeal and humility in our own lives?

2) What does it mean to "take the kingdom of heaven by force" (Matthew 11:12)? How does this challenge our approach to following Jesus?

3) Jesus compares His generation to children who refuse to play (Matthew 11:16-17). In what ways can we be tempted toward spiritual apathy, and how can we combat it?

4) The people found excuses not to respond to either John’s call to repentance or Jesus’ message of grace. What common excuses do people make today, and how can we address them in our own hearts?

5) Jesus warns of the consequences for those who witness God’s works yet remain unrepentant (Matthew 11:20-24). How does this passage shape our view of God’s justice and mercy?

Matthew 13:44-46

November 3, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 13:44–46

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a treasure and a pearl of great value. What aspects of the kingdom might feel like this kind of treasure to you personally? 2) The sermon mentioned that following Christ involves both sacrifices and deep joy. How do you think joy and sacrifice coexist in the Christian life? 3) Jesus used parables to adjust people’s expectations of His kingdom. How can setting realistic expectations of the Christian life help us persevere in faith? 4) C.S. Lewis spoke of our "inconsolable longing" that only Christ can satisfy. How can we keep our desires rooted in Christ rather than being pulled away by lesser things?

Matthew 13:31-33

October 27, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 13:31–35

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) Expectations vs. Reality: The people of Jesus' time anticipated a dramatic, immediate arrival of God's kingdom. In what ways do we sometimes expect God to work dramatically in our lives? How does this influence our faith when we don’t see immediate change? 2) Understanding God’s Kingdom: The mustard seed and leaven grow slowly and almost imperceptibly at first. How does this picture of slow growth challenge our understanding of God’s work in the world and in our lives? 3) Personal Growth: Jesus’ parable suggests that growth in God’s kingdom—and within ourselves—may not be instant. Where have you seen small, gradual changes in your life or faith that later resulted in big growth? 4) Living in the “Already, Not Yet”: Jesus says the kingdom is already here but not yet fully realized. How does this affect our hope and patience as we pray, “Thy kingdom come,” both in the world and in our hearts? 5) Patience in Ordinary Faithfulness: In a fast-paced world, we often look for quick solutions to spiritual growth. How can we learn to embrace the "ordinary means of grace" (e.g., Scripture, prayer, worship) as essential to our growth in Christ?

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

October 20, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 13:36–43, Matthew 13:24–30

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. How does the parable challenge our desire for immediate justice or judgment in the world? 2. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes patience in waiting for the harvest rather than uprooting the weeds now? 3. In what ways do we sometimes confuse "weeds" and "wheat" in our relationships or judgments of others? 4. How does understanding God's ultimate control over the final judgment bring you comfort or change your perspective? 5. How can we live faithfully as "wheat" in a world full of both weeds and wheat, without losing heart or compromising our faith?