Back to Basics

Series: Becoming a Disciple of Jesus

Back to Basics

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday November 17, 2019

This Week Reading:  Matthew 21: 28-32

Main Themes:  Obedience; Repentance; Discipleship; 

Background Information:

Jesus used stories to teach people basic points. In the Bible these stories are called parables. Jesus told parables to make a point and to get us to think about our lives. Jesus used many parables about the harvest. a harvest refers to a crop such as wheat that was ready to be picked and workers were needed to bring in the harvest. Jesus used this example to help us understand that people are a harvest and many need Jesus all around us and Jesus is calling us to work in the harvest of human souls.  

1. 
   

Key Verse: Which of the two did what his father wanted?. Verse 31

Crossroads Community Group Guide: 

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

B. Purpose:

Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom. 

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Ever Be  (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

D. 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?

E. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): What is one basic lesson you learned as a child growing up?

F. Read Background Information

G. Word: Read Matthew 21:28-35 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? .

H. 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?   

I. 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?  

J. 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.

K. 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.