Discussion and Application Questions for Group Life Communities and Personal Study-
Matthew 7: 7-20
We encourage you to use the observe, interpret, apply method of studying the scriptures. Your own observations, questions and application will serve you the best as you dig into the text. The following questions are giving as tools for you to make your own personal discoveries and action steps. Share your thoughts with others.
Observe
- What do these verses tell you about Jesus? How would you describe his personality and leadership from this passage? What qualities about him stand out?
- How do you interpret the phrase, ‘only a few find it?’ Does it bother you that only a few will find it?
- Note the repetition of the phrase ‘by their fruit you will recognize them.’ Why do you think this was repeated?
Interpret
- Based on these verses, why would you follow Jesus? What are your reservations about following Jesus? What appeals to you about following Jesus?
- Why is the way of the world easy and the way of Jesus hard?
- If Jesus were teaching today, do you think he would use the same metaphors of trees and fruit? What modern analogies do you think he might use to fit our current circumstances?
- What do you look for to discern truth and falsehood in teachers and preachers? Do you use the same criterion for Christian as a whole who claim to follow God?
Apply
- How important is obedience in your walk with Jesus? In what ways are you nudged to faithful obedience?
- Are there areas in your life that you need to confess and correct so that you may live your life on a solid foundation?
- How would you rate your foundation today? Rock or sand?
Next week: Advent begins…. Hope Revived. "The Cry: We're all messed up and need Help". Isaiah 64:1-9