Matthew

Matthew 10:16-33

July 21, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. How have you personally faced opposition to your faith? 2. How are you tempted to respond to opposition to your faith? 3. How do Jesus’ instructions challenge your most common response? 4. How does the gospel encourage you as you face the potential threat of wolves? 5. Spend time praying for one another that you would be wise, innocent, and bold as you face opposition to the gospel. Spend time praying for our brothers and sisters around the world who face high levels of persecution today.

Matthew 10:1-15

July 14, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 10:1–15

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) In what ways do you believe the Lord sends us to be the answer to the prayers we are praying? 2) How can we cultivate the same compassion that Jesus had for the multitudes in our own lives and communities? 3) Discuss a time when you felt unqualified or hesitant to serve. How can we draw strength from Jesus’ example as the true worker who completed the work we could not do? 4) What are some practical ways we can move from a consumer mindset to an active participant in our church and community? 5) How can we support and encourage each other in our roles as laborers for God's kingdom, especially in facing challenges and doubts?

Matthew 9:35-38

July 7, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks • Matthew 9:35–38

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What emotions do people elicit in your heart? 2. Are there certain groups of people that elicit different emotions than others? Why? 3. How often do you consider the spiritual state of others, whether someone you know or a complete stranger? 4. What does it mean that Jesus is the “Lord of the harvest?” 5. How familiar are you with the state of global missions today? Spend time praying together for 1) your heart to be shaped for the harvest, 2) current missionaries from Grace Road, and 3) more missional involvement by those in our church both here and abroad.

Matthew 9:27-34, Matthew 12:22-32

June 30, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 9:27–34, Matthew 12:22–32

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1) How do you see the evidence of Jesus' unique power and authority in your own life or in the lives of others around you? 2) In what ways do we, like the Pharisees, sometimes resist or explain away the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives? 3) How can we ensure that our hearts remain open and responsive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction and leading? 4) How can we support and encourage one another to respond to God’s call and avoid hardening our hearts against Him?

Matthew 9:18-26

June 16, 2024 • Kevin Maloney

Small Group Discussion Questions: 1) How do the interactions between Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood highlight the universal need for Christ? 2) How does their approach to Jesus demonstrate the importance of humility and dependence in seeking God's intervention in our lives? 3) How does the woman’s desire to receive a secret healing reflect on our desire to have our relationship with Christ be only private? 4) Jesus refers to the woman as "daughter," emphasizing His care and compassion. How does this portrayal of Jesus as a loving father figure contrast with common perceptions of God? How does it impact your understanding of God's character? 5) What does the crowd’s laughter at Jesus’s promise tell you about the necessity of cultivating faith amidst skepticism and ridicule?

Matthew 9:14-17

June 9, 2024 • Kevin Maloney

Sermon Questions for Discussion: 1.) What are the values in the rigorous “religious” life? What is the good that can come of disciplines like fasting, church attendance, bible reading, etc.? 2.) In what ways do we show that we believe that sorrow is more holy than joy? 3.) In what ways are we suspicious of joy? 4.) What mandates do people create for others in regards to the holy life? 5.) How can our rigorous “religious” life be deadly? What is the solution for that?

Matthew 9:9-13

June 2, 2024 • Kevin Maloney

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1. How can we guard against falling into the trap of spiritual pride and instead cultivate a posture of humility in our own lives? 2. How can we practically follow Jesus into the places of brokenness and need in our society, bringing the message of hope and redemption? 3. Which group of people in this passage do you identify with the most: the disciples, the sinners, or the Pharisees? 4. What attitudes and behaviors make you say so? 5. What adjustments can you make in light of that assessment? 6. How can we cultivate an attitude of mercy and compassion towards those who are still outsiders to the Christian community?

Matthew 9:1-8

May 26, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks • Matthew 9:1–8

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What are the common perceptions of “sin” in our culture today? 2. How would you answer someone who believed that Jesus was merely a good, moral teacher? 3. Have you ever struggled with the idea that God is willing to forgive your sin? 4. What are some ways we pursue penance rather than resting in forgiveness?

Matthew 8:28-34

May 19, 2024 • Kevin Maloney • Matthew 8:28–34

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1: In Matthew 8:28-34, how does this display of authority contribute to our understanding of who Jesus is and His mission on earth? 2: The demons immediately recognize Jesus as the "Son of God" and express fear of being tormented before their time. What does this recognition and fear tell us about the spiritual realm's awareness of Jesus's authority? How should this influence our perception of spiritual warfare and our confidence in Christ's power? 3:While Christians cannot be possessed by demons, we have to remain vigilant against giving the devil a foothold in our lives. What are some subtle ways the devil can gain influence over us? How can we resist these temptations and remain steadfast in our faith? 4: Why do you think the people in the Gadarenes responded the way they did to the exorcism? What does this reaction reveal about their values and priorities? How can we apply this to our own lives when considering the costs of following Jesus? 5: How is the Lord’s Supper a reminder of where our true allegiance should lie?

Matthew 8:23-27

May 12, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks • Matthew 8:23–27

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What storm(s) are you facing right now? 2. What would it look like to be overcome by a greater fear of God than the fears of our storms? 3. How does God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness encourage you in the midst of trials? 4. Looking back on previous trials in your life, can you now identify any ways that God used them for your good and his glory? 5. How can the gospel, with its future promises, calm our hearts in the midst of our current storms?

Matthew 8:18-22

May 5, 2024

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1:What reasons might we be tempted to follow Jesus other than a genuine commitment to Him? How do we know our motives are right? 2: How does Jesus’s grouping of the teaching that He is the Son of Man with the teaching that He has no place to lay His head challenge our notions of success? 3: How do Christians navigate the tension between an ultimate commitment to Christ and duties to our families? 4: How do we prepare for adversity so we don’t feel ripped off when the Christian life doesn’t “go well?”

Matthew 8.1-17

April 28, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks • Matthew 8:1–17

Sermon Discussion Questions 1. Who might be considered modern-day “lepers?” How does Jesus change our thinking about them? 2. How should the global nature of the Church shape our view of the Church? 3. Do you agree that “the appropriate expression of gratitude is shown in service”? What would a lack of service communicate? 4. Have you ever heard that divine healing is dependent on your faith? How would you answer that? 5. Pray for any physical needs in the group and then pray for trust as you await God’s answer.

Matthew 7:21-29

April 14, 2024

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1: What role do good works play in a Christian’s life according to Ephesians 2:8-10? 2: How do good works relate to our salvation? 3: How can heavy involvement in Christian ministry numb us to our need for Jesus? 4: Discuss the books in Revelation 20:11-15. What does this scene tell us about the way to salvation? 5: How can we avoid being among the ones who are surprised not to “make it” on judgment day?

Matthew 7:15-23

April 7, 2024 • Kevin Maloney

Sermon Discussion Questions: 1: What does it mean to live as a true Christian counter-culture, according to the sermon? How do you see this concept reflected in your own life or in the broader Christian community? 2: The sermon highlights the importance of listening to the right voices along our Christian journey. How do you discern who the right teachers and guides are in your life? What criteria do you use to evaluate their influence? 3: What are some potential dangers of seeking guidance solely from human teachers rather than relying on personal study of the Bible and guidance from the Holy Spirit, as discussed in the sermon? 4:m How can we recognize false prophets or misleading guidance in our lives, according to the criteria outlined in Matthew 7:15-20? Have you ever encountered situations where you had to discern between genuine and false teaching? 5: The sermon emphasizes the importance of looking at the fruit in the lives of those who influence us. How can we practically apply this principle in evaluating the guidance we receive from others? 6: Discuss the balance between respecting and learning from human teachers and ultimately relying on Jesus as the ultimate guide. How can we ensure that our reliance on human guidance does not overshadow our dependence on Christ? 7: Share your thoughts on the statement, "Good leaders lead you to admire Jesus more, not them." How can leaders and mentors effectively point others to Christ rather than drawing attention to themselves? 8: Reflect on the role of humility in seeking guidance and learning from others. How does acknowledging our own limitations and need for grace impact the way we approach teaching and guidance within the Christian community?

Palm Sunday, Matthew 7:12-14

March 24, 2024 • Cody Wilbanks • Matthew 7:12–14

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1: Did you learn the “Golden Rule” growing up? 2: What contributes to us being so self-obsessed? 3: Why is the active nature of the Golden Rule so important? 4: What are practical ways you can put this into practice this week? 5: In what ways is life in the “narrow gate” so difficult for you? 6: How can the church community help as we sense the weight of being in the minority in this age?

Grace Road Church

The Gospel of Matthew