For the Kingdom
Read: Matthew 11:1-6
1When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns. 2 Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples 3 and asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news, 6 and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”
Transformation Questions:
- What is something in your life that has transpired where the reality was way different than your expectations?
- What are some ways that we react when our expectations aren’t met? How do we handle unmet expectations biblically?
- One way that Jesus responded to John the Baptist’s doubt was with gospel demonstration. In Luke 7:18-23, it says that Jesus demonstrated that he was the Messiah that very hour! How do those miracles answer John’s doubt?
- Why do you think Jesus quoted Isaiah 35:5-6 in response to John’s doubt?
- Jesus also answered John’s doubt with gospel proclamation. He uses phrases from Isaiah 61:1 to show he was the Promised One. How does gospel proclamation answer doubt?
- Pastor Zach said that the phrase attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words,” isn’t biblical. Why isn’t it true to God’s Word?
- Instead, Pastor Zach said, “Preach the gospel. Since it’s necessary, use words!” It says in Romans that faith comes by hearing. Why is there such an emphasis on verbal proclamation in Scripture?
- How did Impact Week provide evidence to our community of God’s Kingdom?
- Did you serve on any projects for Impact Week? If so, what did God teach you while you served?
- How can we make sure that the community focus we had during Impact Week doesn’t get forgotten in the weeks ahead?