Party For a Purpose

Party For a Purpose

Series: Becoming a Disciple of Jesus

Party for a Purpose

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday October 27, 2019

This Week Reading:  Matthew 9:9-13

Main Themes:  God's Call; Life Purpose; Discipleship; Following Jesus

Background Information:

These scriptures are again at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Jesus puts priority on calling disciples and training disciples so they can make other disciples. This is the only long term effective strategy for building God's kingdom. Jesus has a few disciples at this point but he wants more. Matthew was a tax collector. In those times tax collectors were considered traitors who were corrupt greedy people. They were Jews who worked with the oppressive Roman government which had conquered the Jewish land. The tax collectors would extort money from their own people as well as abuse and put people in jail.They were considered sinners who God hated. The religious people kept there distance from them and had no contact with them.

For Jesus to call Matthew to follow him was a scandal. These verses divide into 3 parts. First, Jesus calling Matthew and Matthew's response. Second, the party in Matthew's house with other tax collectors. Third, Jesus explaining why he came. 

Note especially that Jesus used Matthew to reach other tax collectors and sinners. Jesus wants to do that in your life also.   

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Key Verse: I have not come to call the righteous but sinners  Jesus in verse 13

Crossroads Community Group (previously called Point of Light) Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group:

Our goal is to grow as disciples of Jesus and to make disciples of other people by inviting them to our group. Each person here has the potential to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom. 

B. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use 10,000 reasons Simple Gospel  (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

C. Review

  1. What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with him?
  2. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?
  3. Who did you share what you learned last week with?
  4. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

D. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): How does Jesus call people to follow Him today?

E. Read Background Information

F. Word: Read Matthew 4:18-25 aloud together. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.
3. What are the details?

3. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .

G. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).

1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

2. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

3. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

6. What will you take away from this discussion?

7. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)

8. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?

9. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?   

H. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 

1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. Who in your in circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study? 
2. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study?  

F. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to                       join your group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide                       into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

G. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members that are ready to do different parts of the                           next meeting as you prepare  them. (Opening Question; Prayer                           Time; Read Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group                       for next week.