Puyallup Nazarene Church
In light of all the conspiracy theories and end times talk, let's keep our attention firmly on Jesus and give ourselves to living the kind of life that Jesus would live if he we inhabiting our bodies, our homes, our churches, our leadership.
Matthew 12:33-42 NIV
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit." --Jesus
This is the sign that will be given to you--the sign of Jonah. Listen to me. Let me change you. --Jesus
This is how you make the tree good. Embrace what Jesus has done!
Because we can look back at this sign…we can look forward…"Come, Kingdom of God! Be done will of God on earth as in heaven! Here and now!
A Meal for our Times--Communion: Living into THIS Sign in these times.
Acts 2.21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Discussion and Application Questions for Group Life Communities
We invite you to use the following questions as you dig deeper into the ways God equips us to be bold in our witness for HIm.
Read Matthew 12:33-42. Look at THIS Sign!
OBSERVE
What key words or ideas come to your mind as you read this passage? Note the contrasts Jesus makes....good/bad...evil/good.
What analogy or word picture most captures your attention from this passage? Jesus uses several.
Note the examples Jesus uses from history regarding signs? (v 38-42). What is the point Jesus is making?
INTERPRET
What does Jesus mean by good and bad fruit? Can you make your fruit good or bad? Why is it difficult to hide the true you?
Why does Jesus stress judgement? What is the ‘day of judgement?’
Why were signs so important to people of Jesus’ time? Are they important for our times? Why?
Do you think people craving signs will ever be satisfied? What would satisfy them?
APPLY
What kind of fruit are you demonstrating? What indicators show you that your fruit is good or bad?
Verse 36 is a dire warning for how we think and speak? How do you balance grace and responsibility in your words and actions? Do you think Jesus wants us to live under guilt?
How are you living free in the midst of an evil generation around you?
What are you going to take to heart and apply from the teaching Jesus gives you here?
Next Week's Study: Series: UnAshamed. Next week: "Let's Talk--Courageous Conversations". Ephesians 4.17-5.2 Please join us for worship online Saturday at 6, Sunday at 9 and 10:45. Livestream online at pnconline.org.
