Small Group Study Guide– 1/31/10

Sermon: The Gravity of Life (Matthew 25:31-46) Theme: The “least of these”

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. Have you ever had to stand before an authority figure and give an account of something you had been accused of doing?

Describe your experience: What were you feeling? What was your defense? What was the outcome?

Imagine what it will be like to stand before God and give an account for how we have lived our lives here on earth. Describe your musings to the group.

2. Let’s wrestle with the two concepts: faith and works.

What part does works play in faith and what part does faith play in works?

Is it possible to have works without faith? Why or why not?

Is it possible to have faith without works? Why or why not?

Is it possible to believe you have faith but not really have faith?

How can a person know for sure he has faith?

3. This passage focuses on how a person responded to the “least of these” as the determining factor of whether or not he is a sheep or a goat. The whole of Scripture makes it clear that what determines your eternal destiny is what you do with Jesus Christ – so why does Matthew focus on how a person responds to the “least of these” as the determining factor?

Do you think the “goats” surprised that they were not getting to enter into eternal life? (Read Matthew 7:15-29)

It comes down to a heart issue. Those who have put their trust in Christ are drawn to minister to others out of a love for Him. Those without Christ, while they may do good things for people, do so out of a different motivation.

4. Kevin contrasted intellectual believers with active participants. How do we move from being intellectual believers to being active participants?

So What?!? – Are you an active participant? Why or why not? If you are, describe your active participation for the group. How as a group can you become active participants in ministering to the “least of these”?