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Christ Community Leawood

Responding to the King - May 29 | Leawood

Choose Your Kingdom

Locations & Times

Christ Community - Leawood Campus

14200 Kenneth Rd, Leawood, KS 66224, United States

Friday 3:00 AM

Newcomer Coffee | June 5

If you would like to learn more about who we are as a church and find ways to connect here, join us for our next Newcomer Coffee next Sunday, June 5 during our second service (10:45am). We will gather in Room 209 in the back corner of the Cafe.

College Ministries Study | June 5

The summer is a great time to enjoy a different rhythm, reconnect with friends, and grow in Christian community. If you are a recent high school graduate or are of college age you should join us this summer for our study in the book of Galatians. We will be gathering during second service on Sunday mornings at 10:45 in the Student Center starting June 5. We will have food, so come hungry. This is also a great place to invite friends who may be interested in exploring the Christian faith.

Big Time for Families | June 6–9

Big Time is coming! The “Time Machine” will be landing June 6-9. Families, come discover who is traveling inside to tell God’s story. Big Time is connecting families and growing families. Register now at ChristCommunityKC.org/leawood.

Social Security 101 | June 19 and 26

Sign up to learn more about how social security benefits work and how to get the most from this resource. BD Horton and Jim Powers will give a presentation and answer questions in our Student Center, June 19, from 10:45am-12:00pm. Go to the Family and Care section of the website for more info and to register.

Matthew 13:23-52

Sermon Notes | May 29, 2016
Responding to the King | Choose Your Kingdom
Speaker: Andrew Jones, AndrewJ@ChristCommunityKC.org

>> Why does the kingdom seem so disappointing?

>> His kingdom is mixed.

>> Expect opposition.

>> His kingdom is small.

>> Expect slow progress.

>> His kingdom isn't for everyone.

>> Expect the judgment to come.

>> Why is the kingdom worth absolutely everything?

CONVERSATION STARTERS – Leawood Campus

1. Takeaway. This Sunday, what was personally convicting, encouraging, enlightening, or helpful to you? Spend time discussing this.

2. Question. What was something that was confusing, unclear, or even offensive about the sermon this Sunday?

3. Read the first half of the text: Matthew 13:24–35. These parables talk about a kingdom that grows with good and evil together, that is small, and takes a long time to grow. This would be a disappointing description of a kingdom for many. Have there been things about God and his kingdom that have been disappointing to you? Things you didn’t expect when you first began to follow him? Share some experiences.

4. Read the second half of the text: Matthew 13:36–52. What is encouraging and hope giving in these descriptions of the kingdom?

5. Have you ever experienced a “pearl in the field” kind of moment – where you’ve understood the incredible value of God’s kingdom and given up everything else for it? If you’re willing, share your story with the group.

6. Read the excerpt from C. S. Lewis below. What “small good” preferences are you tempted to put first, with the risk of losing the big good preference – the kingdom – in the process?

Excerpt from C.S. Lewis in God in the Dock
“The woman who makes a dog the centre of her life loses, in the end, not only her human usefulness and dignity but even the proper pleasure of dog-keeping. The man who makes alcohol his chief good loses not only his job but his palate and all power of enjoying the earlier (and only pleasurable) levels of intoxication...Of course this law has been discovered before, but it will stand re-discovery. It may be stated as follows: every preference of a small good to a great, or partial good to a total good, involves the loss of the small or partial good for which the sacrifice is made...You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first.

7. Pray together. Ask for God to open our eyes to the amazing good and value of his kingdom.

Coming to our Downtown Gallery | June 3

The Four Chapter Gallery, located at Christ Community - Downtown Campus, is hosting the Faces of Freedom exhibit in June. This exhibit will include paintings of men and women who have been freed from sex trafficking depicted by artists from all over the U.S. The June First Friday event will provide ways to help people become more aware of the issue while engaging in various mediums. The art show will be hanging in the gallery the entire month of June. If you would like to be a part or have ideas that can contribute to bringing awareness around this issue during the month of June, please contact Leigh Ann Dull (Leighann.dull@cru.org).

How can I give at Christ Community?

Giving is an important part of worship. Learn more about the various ways to generously give as part of Christ Community.

http://christcommunitykc.org/give/#ways