Matthew

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?

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

October 13, 2024 • Matt Ouellette • Matthew 13:1–9, Matthew 13:18–23

Sermon Discussion Questions 1. Which soil do you most identify with in this season? What are its symptoms? 2. What does it look like to understand with the heart? What are its symptoms? 3. Reflecting on Augustine’s quote (pg.10), consider what afflictions God has used to prove, purge and clarify your heart. 4. Which upcoming parable are you most eager to engage? Why is that? 

Matthew 13:1-23

October 6, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks • Matthew 13:1–23

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What has been your relationship to Jesus’ parables? Have you found them helpful? Difficult? 2. What does Jesus’ reasoning for using parables reveal about himself? About people? About salvation? 3. How should the regenerating work of the Spirit cultivate humility? Gratefulness? Hopefulness? 4. How is communion an “acted parable?” Did Jesus give any other “acted parables”?

Matthew 12:46-50

September 29, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 12:46–50

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. What does it mean for us to be a Gospel-centered family as a church? 2. How can we grow in demonstrating the kind of sacrificial love that Jesus shows to us? 3. What are practical ways we can actively love one another, especially when it's difficult? 4. What are some risks or challenges we face as a church when we start to feel successful? 5. How can we guard against pride and self-sufficiency, staying humble and dependent on God? 6. In what ways can we create an environment where confession and honesty are encouraged? 7. Jesus redefines family as those who do the will of His Father (Matthew 12:50). How can we grow in our loyalty and commitment to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, especially when facing disagreements or difficulties?

Matthew 12:38-45

September 22, 2024 • Kevin Maloney

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) In what ways do we, like the Pharisees, sometimes demand signs or proof of God’s presence in our lives? How can we cultivate a faith that trusts without needing constant affirmation? 2) How do we see the desire for entertainment or spectacle in today’s church culture? In what ways can this be a distraction from true worship and relationship with Christ? 3) What does it mean to submit to Christ’s reign in our daily lives, and what might that look like practically? 4) The Queen of Sheba traveled great distances to seek wisdom. What are some practical ways we can seek God’s wisdom in our daily lives? 

Matthew 12:33-37

September 15, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 12:33–37

1)  In Matthew 12:34, Jesus says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." What do you think your words reveal about the condition of your heart?  2) Jesus compares people to trees, saying we are known by our fruit (Matthew 12:33). What are some examples of "good fruit" and "bad fruit" in our words and actions?  3) How can we cultivate the kind of heart that consistently produces good fruit? 4) James 3:7-8 describes the tongue as a "restless evil, full of deadly poison." Why is it so challenging to control our speech, and how can we seek God's help in taming our tongues? 5) Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, as they speak against Him despite the good He is doing. How can we guard against hypocrisy in our own lives, especially when it comes to how we speak about others? 6) Ezekiel 36:25-27 speaks of the new heart God will give his people. How does recognizing our need for heart transformation lead to real and lasting change in our words and actions? What role does repentance and reliance on God's grace play in that process?

Matthew 12:14-21

September 8, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 12:14–21

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) In verses 19-20, how does Jesus’ approach to conflict and opposition differ from what we often expect from a leader? What does this teach us about His character? 2) Matthew describes Jesus as one who "will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick." How can we reflect this kind of gentleness and patience in our relationships with others? 3) How do you see the contrast between the Pharisees' hard-heartedness and Jesus’ servant-heartedness in this passage? In what ways might we struggle with similar attitudes today? 4) Jesus shows great humility and restraint here. How can we apply these traits in situations where we are tempted to respond with anger or force? What does it look like to imitate Christ in moments of tension or conflict?

Matthew 12:1-14

September 1, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. In what ways have you been exposed to legalistic teaching? 2. In what ways do you sense legalism in your own life and heart? 3. How can we guard against both license (do anything you want even if the Bible calls it sinful) and legalism (undue burden of extra-biblical rules)? 4. What does it mean that Jesus is the true Sabbath, and in what way can you encourage each other to rest in him this week? 

Matthew 11:25-30

August 25, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 11:25–30

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) Why does Jesus thank the Father even after denouncing the unrepentant cities? How does this teach us about maintaining gratitude in difficult circumstances? 2) What does it mean that God has "hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children"? What does this tell us about how we come to know God? 3) How does Jesus' statement that "all things have been handed over to me by my Father" give us confidence in His sovereignty, even in a world that largely rejects Him? 4) In what ways do you experience laboring and being heavy laden? How does Jesus' invitation to "come to me" provide hope and rest for your soul? 5) What does it look like to take on Jesus’ "easy yoke" and "light burden" in your daily life? How does this contrast with the pressures we place on ourselves?

Matthew 11:9-24

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

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 11:1-11

August 11, 2024 • Kevin Maloney

Small Group Discussion Questions: 1) Why do you think John the Baptist, despite his earlier certainty, began to doubt? 2) What is the significance of Jesus' response to John's doubt? 3) How do our expectations of Jesus or the Christian life contribute to doubt or disillusionment? How should we respond? 4) How can we move from disenchantment back to a renewed perspective on Jesus? 5) What practical steps can we take to address our doubts in a faith-building way?

Matthew 10:40-42

August 4, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks • Matthew 10:40–42

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What are some practical ways to support full-time gospel workers? 2. How is gospel partnership an act of worship? 3. What should Jesus’ identification with his Church teach us about the Church? 4. Jesus said to receive him is to receive the Father. How does this speak to the issue of pluralism (the belief that there are many paths to salvation and that all religions are valid)? 5. In what way(s) do you sense the Lord calling you to be involved in the work of the harvest?

Matthew 10:40-42

July 28, 2024 • Kevin Maloney