The Gospel of Matthew: Kingdom Parables 4: Discipled for the Kingdom (Matt. 13:51-58)
Community Guide
The Community Guide below is based on Sunday’s teaching for our current series: The Gospel of Matthew, "Apprenticing with Jesus." As your whole Community gathers (online or in-person), use the Community Guide below to give shape to your time together.
Communion
Begin your time by taking the Lord’s Supper together. To facilitate your time, you can ask a group member to come ready with a short prayer or scripture reading or read the passage we’ve provided below. After reading (aloud), spend a moment in silence before taking the elements:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-30
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Sermon Overview
This Sunday, Christian preached on Matthew 13:51-58, in which Jesus gives his disciples one final parable about the Kingdom of Heaven–and specifically about their role as “scribes discipled for the kingdom” (v. 52): They would function like generous hosts, sharing with others the “new and old” treasures that He had entrusted to them. Verse 52 functions like Matthew’s “purpose statement” for his Gospel (which contains about 300 quotations and allusions to the Old Testament): Matthew employed the same method Jesus taught him: showing how the promises and patterns of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus. And through his Gospel, Matthew is training us for this same task: to be students of the whole story of the Bible who can share the riches of this story with others. Though some disciples, due to their giftedness and calling, may be involved in more technical “scribal” work of studying, translating, and researching Scripture, ALL disciples are called to be both students and sharers of God’s word with others in some capacity (28:18-20).
Christian concluded by looking at the story of Jesus’ rejection by the people in his hometown of Nazareth (13:53-58), which seems to be a case of “familiarity that breeds contempt.” They were familiar with Jesus (his upbringing, family, etc.), but faithless. In the same way, Christian warned us of a similar kind of “familiarity that breeds contempt” that can develop if we make a regular practice of hearing, reading, even studying the words and actions of Jesus, but fail to put what we learn into practice or pass it on to others. All this serves to do is inoculate us to the Gospel, so that we become numb, dull and unresponsive. As Jesus said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount (7:24-27), it is the person who not only hears his words but does them who builds their house on the rock. But to be familiar with Jesus’ teachings without following him is the epitome of foolishness that leads to destruction.
Discussion Questions
If all disciples are called to be students and sharers of the biblical story in some capacity, how equipped do you feel for this task?
How well do you know the whole Bible? Are there certain parts that you know better than others? Are there parts you struggle to understand?
Have you read the whole Bible before? Do you have a regular reading plan that you use to read through the Bible on an ongoing basis?
These questions are not meant to intimidate you but motivate you to be diligent as a lifelong learner from God’s word. What steps can you take this week to dive into God’s word on your own and with others?
As we’ve gone through the book of Matthew, have you noticed how frequently Matthew refers to the Old Testament (wether in his own words, or in his recording of the words of Jesus)? Have any stood out to you, because they helped you see the “old treasure” in a fresh light, because of the “new treasure” of what Jesus was doing?
As we continue through the book of Matthew, make a point to look up these Old Testament “hyperlinks” that Matthew weaves throughout his Gospel. They are invitations to see the how the whole biblical story comes together in Jesus.
Missionary Practice For The Week Ahead: BLESS
If you do at least one of these practices every day, you will not only become more like Jesus, but you will help others find Jesus too! In your time together as a community, ask the questions, “Who did you BLESS this week? This time of sharing will keep the Great Commission at the forefront of who we are called to be as followers of Jesus. It will also provide the opportunity to celebrate and encourage one another on the journey.
ᐅ B.L.E.S.S.
(B)egin with Prayer:
Pray for the people in your life and the places that you’re in.
People: Who do you live, work and play with that is far from God? Pray that God would create spiritual curiosity in them, and then spend time with them.
Places:
Where does pain exist here? Pray for healing.
Who makes the decisions here? Pray for integrity.
Who throws parties here? Pray for community.
Where are the pennies spent here? Pray for provision.
(L)isten:
Listen to and discover the needs of others and the places where God is at work.
Before you can help others find Jesus, you need to listen to them first - their hopes, pains, challenges, and dreams. In your interactions with others today, take the posture of a learner. Lay down assumptions and practice being present in conversations.
(E)at:
Share meals, drink coffee, and spend time with people in your life that don’t yet know Jesus.
Who can you eat with (or have coffee with) that is far from God? A co-worker over lunch? A neighbor during the day? A friend or family member over the weekend?
Is there a place that you regularly visit (coffee shop, gym, etc.)? Ask God to grant you opportunities to eat with people.
(S)erve:
Who can you serve this week? Who do you know that has a practical need? Ask them how you can help.
Before jumping into serving, have you taken the time to pray for, listen to and eat with these people? Doing these things first helps you discover the way that you really need to serve them.
(S)tory:
Share the story of Jesus and what He is doing in your life with others.
Start by sharing how God has blessed you and made a difference in your life.
Share your story in such a way that demonstrates that Jesus is also at work in their life.
Don’t feel like you have to tell your life story at once. Think “bite-size” stories.
Prayer
Spend a few minutes praying for God’s grace over each other, that we might become a people who make Jesus our Lord, and that there might be a sweeping renewal of the Holy Spirit in our city. Ask that God would stir up within us a desire to be with him in prayer and to serve him, one another, and our neighbor in love.