|
God's Way to Spiritual Greatness I. Study
Texts: Matt 18:1-6; 23:1-12; Luke
9:46-49 II. Theme: The
way to success is service and simple trust.
The desire to be
successful is the engine that drives the ambitions of mankind. The pursuit of
success is a search for personal significance. The person feels significant
if he or she has power, or position, or
money, or honor. Too much occurring in the church is success-driven rather than service-driven. Jesus' twelve
disciples struggled with this problem. Many of Israel's religious leaders
were the captives of this problem. It is no
surprise that the problem still bothers the church today. The way to true success is through
service. The one who serves is exalted, and the one who exalts himself will
be brought down. We need to put away the
things that interfere with our being servants, even if the amputation is very painful. III. Questions
and Application Matthew 18:1-6 1. What question did the disciples
ask Jesus, and why might they have asked it (verse 1)? 2. Before Jesus answered the
question, what did he do (verse 2)? 3. Give Jesus’ opening statement
(verse 3). 4. Who would be greatest in the
kingdom of heaven (verse 4)? a. What would humility look like from a father, from a church
leader? b. Why do you think even
we in the church confuse worldly greatness and kingdom greatness? 5. Who is said to have received
Jesus (verse 5)? 6. What did Jesus say about the person
who caused such believing, little ones to stumble
(verse 6)? Matthew 23:1-12 1. To whom did Jesus give this
lesson (verse 1)? 2. Where did the scribes and
Pharisees seat themselves (verse 2)? a. What does that mean? b. What does that tell us
about their position of knowledge and authority? 3. Jesus instructed his audience
to do something and not to do something (verse 3). a. What were they
instructed to do? b. What were they
instructed not to do? 4. What did they “tie up” or
bundle together (verse 4)? a. What did they do with
those bundles? b. How did they personally
react to the bundles they made? 5. What was the motive behind
their religious acts (verse 5, 6)? a. What ought to motivate
the servant of Christ? 6. What four things did they love
(verses 6, 7)? 7.Why were disciples not to be
called (verses 8-10): a. Rabbi? b. Father? c. Leaders [teachers,
masters, probably our equivalent of professor]? 8. Who would be the greatest
(verse 11)? 9. Give Jesus’ statement about
humility in your own words (verse 12). IV. Conclusion:
Jesus' lesson concerning
children is best seen by contrasting them with the scribes and Pharisees. The
believing, humble child was teachable.
A trusting, unassuming nature had an open mind and heart. The arrogant, knowledgeable scribes and Pharisees
were unteachable. They bound burdens on others instead of being helpful. What have you done this week that is
like the Pharisees? Like the
children? |