Bring Back the King: Be Active

Series: Bring Back the King

Be Active

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday December 15, 2019

This Week Reading:  Matthew 25:14-30

Main Themes:  Second Coming of Jesus, Stewardship; Responsibility, Reaching the lost 

Background Information:

Jesus is coming back. As certain as each person is appointed to die once and then face God's judgement (Hebrews 10:27). It is the certain teaching of Jesus throughout His ministry that he would come back. This is also the teaching of the entire Bible. .In these verse Jesus tells a story (called a parable in the Bible) that tells us what his followers are expected to do during the time before Jesus comes back. Notice the following: 1. He gives them something.  2. They either put what they have been given to work or not. 3. The master comes back and calls each one to give an account for what they have been given. 4. There are rewards or punishment based on the faithfulness of the servant to do what was expected with what they have been given. 

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Key Verse: To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what they have will be taken away. Matthew 25:29.

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 Lead me to the Cross (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 do sense God telling you to do that you are afraid to do?

F. Read Background Information

G. Word: Read Matthew 25:14-30 aloud together several times. (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.