Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28, HCSB
What a great invitation Jesus gives! But there is so much more to this than just believing Jesus can do miracles and is a great teacher or a good man. As we look at this week's Explore the Bible study, An Open Invitation, we will focus on Christ's invitation and what that means for those who respond and for those who don't respond.
Resources to consider using:
- PowerPoint slides. I have created several slides you can use during the entire session. Click to view and download.
- Explore the Bible Extra Teaching Helps. I have used a portion of this as an opening illustration. Click to view entire illustration.
Questions to consider discussing:
- Matthew 11:20-24 - Would people today say that it is enough just to believe that Jesus could do great things and was a great teacher or leader? Do people today only turn to Jesus when they think they need a miracle? Based on these passages, what will be the results of this type of belief?
- Matthew 11:25-26 - Does it bother you to think that only those who come to God as "infants" can understand the truth of the gospel? Why or why not? What does your response reveal about your spiritual receptiveness to God?
- Matthew 11:27 - How is the message that only those who follow Christ are saved, received today? What pressures are put on believers to compromise the belief that salvation is only through Christ?
- Matthew 11:28-30 - What kind of rest do you believe Jesus is talking about? What did Jesus mean when He said, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light?"
- LOOK OUT (calling for a response): Examine your own responses to God’s invitation to come to Jesus. Decide whether or not you have responded like the people in the cities that rejected Jesus or like an infant who comes hungry and humbly before Him. Think about those around you who have no rest. Their lives are in turmoil; they might be too proud to respond to Christ; they might think they have it together but their reactions reveal a life of unrest. What can you do to demonstrate to them that you have found the way of rest through Christ?
Pronunciation Helps (click to listen)
OR
HOW TO PRINT
After the Dropbox file opens choose DOWNLOAD and print once it is downloaded.
