Small Group Study Guide– 1/24/10

Sermon: Are You Keeping Busy? (Matthew 25:14-30) Theme: Using what you’re given

Overall impressions:

1. What stood out to you in the message this week? How would it look for you to apply it?

2. Did you disagree with or question anything that was said? If so, what?

3. Was there anything said that was new to you? If so, what and what did you think about it?

Discussing the specifics:

1. One of Kevin’s points was that our relationship with God has many facets. The facet this passage addresses is our relationship of servant to master. What is your initial response to hearing that God views you as His servant – His possession? How does that relationship play out? What happens when a servant says “no” to his master? Do you ever say “no” to your Master? How’s that working for you?

2. What choices do you have in relating to God as His servant?

Kevin pointed out that this passage is not a salvation passage, but also pointed out that he believed the lazy slave was not a true believer. Why does he believe this?

While it is God’s place alone to decide who is truly saved and who is not, it is possible to know whether you yourself are truly saved. How can a person know for certain that they are truly saved?

3. Why do we find it so distasteful to be someone else’s servant?

Do those reasons apply when we are talking about God as our Master? Why or why not?

What is at the root of our displeasure?

4. What has God given you, specifically, that He expects you to use for His glory, according to His plan? What would it look like for you to use what He has given you for His glory, according to His plan? Be specific.

So What?!? – We all gotta serve somebody (John 8:31-34). Who you gonna serve? What needs to change, immediately, in your daily life to come in line with what your Master is asking of you?