No matter what we face in life, followers of Christ are able to demonstrate faith in Christ. There are two key attitudes that help us demonstrate this kind of faith - humility before God and an acknowledgment of His authority over all things. Sadly, these actions aren't very popular in our society today. Many times they are viewed as weaknesses rather than strengths. We want what we want, when we want it, because we deserve it. And, we will challenge any authority to get what we want. Maybe that is why fewer individuals in our culture are willing to respond to the gospel today. But this is where faith begins, and this is the focus of this week's Explore the Bible study: Faith Demonstrated.
As we explore Matthew 8:5-13 we will discover a faith in Christ that was demonstrated by someone who had no reason to be humble or to respect authority other than that of the Roman government. He was a Roman citizen and soldier. He had control of his region; he probably commanded 100 men; he didn't need anyone, especially anyone of Jewish origin, to help him.
Yet, because one of his servants was sick, he was looking for an answer. In his time of need he knew enough about Christ to turn to Him. He humbled himself and acknowledged His authority resulting in an amazing lesson from Christ related to faith and the gospel.
Below are some resources you might want to consider using:
Are you usually the last one to order when you are with a group at a restaurant? I am! I can never decide what to order, especially if there are so many choices. While there are times when we have multiple choices to make, when it comes to following Christ, He gives us two paths and one choice that is correct.
Jesus bringing the Sermon on the Mount to a conclusion as we focus on Matthew 7:13-27. Jesus uses a series of illustrations in which He sets forth several serious alternatives people choose and the resulting consequences or blessings, emphasizing that there is truly only one choice - the path of following Christ.
IDEAS FOR TEACHING THIS SESSION PowerPoint: Option for entire session - Download
LOOK UP Illustration:What if you went to a restaurant that had 1810 items on the menu? According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record for the largest menu consists of 1810 different items achieved by the restaurant Mofarguru (Hun) in Budapest, Hungary, in October 2005.
LOOK IN Video Option for discussing Matthew 7:13-14
LOOK OUT Discussion Options:
Have you entered the narrow Gate? Are you truly following Christ? Have you done the “will of the Father” and accepted Christ as your Savior? Does your life fruit give evidence to that?
Are you staying on the “difficult road” or are you trying to broaden the path in order to make following Christ easier?
Are you listening to the right people?
Is your life built on the solid foundation of God’s Word?
What do you have to do to stay on the narrow path?
How can you help others remain solid in their faith and stay on the narrow path?
How can you help others choose the right path, especially those who you think are still wrestling with the most important choice regarding following Christ and their eternal destiny?
We make choices every day. But trusting in Jesus is the only way we can experience a real, fruitful, and rock solid life. He is the only way that leads to eternal life. Choosing any other way leads to destruction and eternal consequences. Let’s help those who don’t know Him understand this as we seek to lead this group session.
Laws - Laws - Laws. Did you know that some sources state that, on average, we break at least three federal laws a day! There are so many laws in our land that it is difficult to know what is right any more. That is why we, as believers, must look beyond the law and live a life of carrying Christ's values.
We will be focusing on Matthew 5:17-26 and Matthew 5:43-48. The study of these passages was designed to focus on the national Sanctity of Human Life emphasis for 2016. As I prepared I found it difficult to make the passages speak solely to that subject.
Jesus used these passages to explain that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - the Old Testament. The entire OT points to His first coming and His anticipated second return. Jesus used the Sermon on the Mount to clarify the meaning of the law as it relates to several subjects. We are specifically focusing on how Jesus set the standard of how to relate to other people regarding murder and hate. He raised the bar so high that it becomes obvious that His way of life is unattainable without a Savior completely transforming our hearts.
The following video link provides you with an overview of how to understand the contrast between the words "Kill" and "Murder." I suggest you preview this video in order to gain a further understanding of the difference. CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO
The following video could be used to supplement your study.
Our Heavenly Father is the King of kings! We have a Father who can hear us, and we have the King who can answer us! So how should we approach the Father, the King of kings, through prayer? That is the question we want to explore in this week's Explore the Bible study, Approaching the King, as we focus on Matthew 6:5-18.
The following ideas could be used as a part of this week's session:
Illustration: 10 Palace Principles and Etiquette Before the King. Use as a part of your LOOK UP section to introduce the study.
Activity: Use index cards as a part of the LOOK UP introduction. Ask each person in the group to write their definition of prayer. End the LOOK OUT session of the study by asking the group to tweak their definition based on the study.
Illustration: Consider using the illustration from the Explore the Bible Extra as a part of the study as needed. It is a great illustration related to people's response to the Lord's Prayer.
Video: The following video could be used in the place of reading the Model Prayer passages, Matthew 6:9-13.
