1. When have you experienced tension with an authority figure? Why is a distrust of authority so prevalent in our society?

2. Read Matthew 7:28-29. What astonishes people about Jesus’ teaching? What are some specific examples from the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) of Jesus teaching with authority?

3. Scan the whole of Matthew 8. On the heels of the Sermon on the Mount, how does Jesus utilize his authority in this chapter? For help, see Matt 8:16-17.

4. Read Matthew 21:1-27. Trace the theme of Jesus’ authority through these verses. What does Matthew tell us about the scope of Jesus’ authority, and about how people respond to it?

5. Read John 10:17-18, and Phil 2:5-11. What does Jesus’ death and resurrection have to do with his authority over our lives today? Do you find it easy or difficult to trust Jesus’ authority? Why? Spend time praying for one another in light of Jesus’ authority.

1. Have you ever had to deal with ‘foundation issues’ on a home? If so, share your story with the group. What was the issue, and how costly was the fix? What did your experience teach you about the importance of a solid foundation?

2. Read Matthew 7:24-27. In this familiar story, what does Jesus mean when he calls the one builder wise and the other foolish? What makes each deserving of the title Jesus gives?

3. Read Luke 6:47-49. What details does Luke record differently in this story? What does it mean that the wise man ‘dug down deep’, and how does that detail relate to how we understand discipleship with Jesus?

4. Compare vv25 and 27. What does the storm represent, and what effect does it have on each of the houses? If you were explaining the meaning of this parable to a non-churched friend, how would you say it in plain language?

5. In Matthew 7, the sermon ends abruptly in v27, but the story of Jesus continues. How is your understanding of these verses affected by the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection?

1. When a matter is unclear or unsettled, we look to judgment to reveal the truth. Share a time in your life when you looked for judgment to reveal the truth. Whose judgment did you seek? (Examples: went to court before a judge or jury, asked a friend to help you sort through an issue, submitted a dispute to a church elder, sought the wisdom of an online guru, posted an issue to social media for the input of the masses, did some soul searching to find truth within.) What truth was revealed?

2. Read Matthew 7:21-23. What does it seem like Jesus cares about most? The faith we profess, the works we achieve, or something else?

3. Sometimes it’s helpful to hear the same idea in someone else’s words. Read James 1:22-25. How are Matthew 7:21-23 and James 1:22-25 similar?

4. God’s judgment exposes who we really are. God isn’t deceived about who we are, and he doesn’t want us to be deceived either. How does someone examine themselves? What are they looking for on the inside? What role does God have in our own self-examination?

5. It is good news that Jesus is our divine judge. What does it mean that God’s judgment embraces who we truly are, without any claim? What can’t we claim before God? Is there anything or anyone we can claim?

6. Read Psalm 139:23-24. How do you need God to do these things for you? What vulnerability do you feel about willing exposing yourself to God, to hear who he says you are? Share and pray for one another.

1)        Read Psalm 1. Note the characteristics of a healthy tree. What are the wicked compared to here?

2)        If you encouraged someone to be a fruit inspector of Christ, what verses might you share with them? How is Christ still bearing fruit?

3)        How is it beneficial to be a fruit inspector of your own fruit? What fruit from your words and actions have blessed God and others recently?

4)        How can the message of coming to Christ for salvation be truncated?

5)        What has been your experience with ‘fire and brimstone’ messages? How could a loving God send people to hell?

6)        Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What is the test? (See also John 15:1-6)

7)        Where are you at in living by faith? High or low? Spend time praying for each other!

1. Who is the quintessential “wolf in sheep’s clothing”? Name a character from fiction or history who embodies this saying to you. What specifically made you think of that person?

2. Read Matthew 7:13-15. What commands does Jesus issue in these verses? How are the commands related to one another?

3. What does it mean to ‘beware’? The imagery of “sheep’s clothing” means the person identifies as part of the faith community. How do you imagine such a person would look, act, and talk? The imagery of ‘ravenous wolves’ points to the life-threatening danger of false prophets. Why does Jesus consider them so dangerous?

4. “Pseudo-prophets always advance a pseudo-gospel.” In the sermon, Robb identified two categories of pseudo-gospel: Jesus-Light and Jesus-Plus. What does each of these terms mean, and what would such a pseudo-gospel look like in our context?

5. In the sermon today, Robb offered four practical applications to this verse. Which stands out to you in this season of your own life? Spend time praying for one another and our church family.

   1. Beware your own itching ears (Jeremiah 5:30)

   2. Beware the witch-hunters (Matthew 7:1-5)

   3. Lean on the elders (Hebrews 13:17)

   4. Fill your vision with the glory of Jesus as BOTH Lord and Savior (2 Pet 3:18)

1. Can you remember a season of relinquishing control of your whole life to Jesus? What circumstances, people, or scriptures led you to that moment? How did the decision to surrender affect your life?

2. Read Matthew 7:13-14. In this story, Jesus introduces two gates / ways to his hearers. What does each gate represent? What kind of person might you meet walking through the wide gate? What kind of person might you meet walking through the narrow gate?

3. The two gates lead to two fates. What are the two fates Jesus names? What is counterintuitive about the gate/fate pairings?

4. Jesus commands his hearers to ‘enter by the narrow gate.’ If someone unfamiliar with Christianity asked you what it means to ‘enter,’ how would you explain it to them? (Hint: In today’s sermon we looked at this command in parallel with Mark 1:15)

5. How does this simple story prepare people for final judgment? Is there a truth from this scripture that you may want to share with a particular person this week? Pray as a group for those specific people and conversations.

• To read F B Meyer’s message on ‘the golden ring’, click here.

1. As we prepare for the season of Lent, share your memories of the Lenten season with one another. Did you or your family observe Lent when you were young? How did the season affect you, and how has your posture toward it changed over time?

2. Read Matthew 7:12. If there are children present, have one of them explain the verse to the group. What sorts of situations can you think of where the ‘Golden Rule’ applies?

3. In the sermon today, we saw how Matthew 7 can be roughly divided into two halves. How does the Golden Rule relate to each of these halves?

   • Our Judgment - Matthew 7:1-11

     • vv1-2 Judge not that you be not judged.

     • vv3-5 Why do you seek the speck but not notice the log?

     • v6 Do not give dogs what is holy.

     • vv7-11 An antidote to the judgmental heart: Ask, seek & knock.

   • God’s Judgment - Matthew 7:13-27

     • vv13-14 Wide & Narrow Gates

     • vv15-20 False prophets are diseased trees who will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

     • vv21-23 Those who cry “Lord Lord” will hear, “I never knew you.”

     • vv24-27 The wise & foolish builders

4. The “So” at the beginning of v12 ties Jesus’ teaching here to the first half of the chapter. Why is it important that Jesus gives the Golden Rule in the context of judgment?

5. Jesus equates the Golden Rule with the entire Old Testament Law; and just like the Law, we fail to meet its standard. How does the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection relate to our practice of the Golden Rule?

This resource was used on Feb 12th at Missions Night. Links to each video clip are below.

History of Bible Translation

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb6ceumPOh4)

1. What stands out to you from this video? 

2. Explain the significance for you to have the Scriptures in English.

3. What strategy did William Carey use to help with his mission?

4. How long was/is a single translation project?

Who Could You Be in the Next Story

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsOZR5rMQPA)

1. VBCC committed to the Isnag Bible translation project for decades. Explain the significance for a church to partner to help reach a specific people group with the gospel?

2. The video mentions several different roles that contribute to reaching a people group with the gospel. List those here:

3. Discuss any experiences you’ve had in filling one of these roles.

Why Millions Are Still Unreached by the Gospel

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33uwuIf-uvo&list=PLPWYBBat7NTnQV97d0o5Z06nxpW-sciZR&index=17)

1. What is the difference between an ‘Unreached People Group’ (UPG) and ‘lost people’?

2. List some challenges that make reaching the unreached difficult.

3. What does the video mean by ‘Cultural Christianity is easy’?

4. The video talked about ‘return on investment’ being easier to see in reached places. What does success mean in missions?

1. What value do you place on Scripture? How does that show up in your life?

2. Read 2 Timothy 3:14. Paul points Timothy to people, not stories. Who has been your “from whom’s”? Who has personally taught you Scripture? For whom do you have the opportunity to be their “from whom”?

3. Read 2 Timothy 3:15. God’s Word guides us to a relationship with Jesus. When has Scripture guided you to Jesus?

4. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God’s Spirit speaks for our good throughout all Scripture. How do you need to depend on God’s sufficiency for you as revealed in the Scriptures?

5. Consider this statement from the sermon: “Bible translation makes possible the transformation of families, churches, and entire communities through God’s Word that we seek to experience here through VBCC’s Youth & Family Ministry (and all VBCC ministries).” How does supporting the work of Bible translation affirm the value of Scripture for ourselves and for the world?

1. Can you recall a moment in your life when the Scripture came to life for you? Tell the story to the group. What was the scripture? How did you experience it? What effect did that experience have in your life?

2. Read Nehemiah 8:5-12. In the sermon we reviewed the fact that this passage narrates the first public reading of scripture in Jerusalem after the return from exile. What role did the Levites play in this important corporate worship event (vv7-8)?

3. In verse 8 it says the people “understood the reading.” What does the response of v9 tell us about the power of understanding the Bible? How have you seen the Bible affect people on both individual and societal levels?

4. In vv10-12, Ezra and the Levites encourage the people to rejoice rather than mourn. What is the place of joy in the work of Bible translation? What sorts of things can we do to step into the joy of God together as a church family?

5. There were many references to outside resources in the sermon this morning. Take a moment to explore these links and learn more about Vision 2025 & Joy Ridderhof. Share with each other how you see God leading you to participate in his global work, and pray for one another.

1. Choose one word to describe your experience of your earthly father. How has that relationship informed the way you relate to God as a heavenly Father?

2. Read Matthew 7:9-11. Jesus employs a ‘how much more’ argument (sometimes known as the kal va-chomer, or “lesser to greater” argument). What does the argument tell us about the heart of God the Father for his children?

3. Read John 3:16, Luke 11:13, and Romans 8:14. What gift does God the Father give in each of these verses? How do these gifts reflect his heart of generosity?

4. Read John 1:12-13. Who has the right to be children of God? What does it mean to ‘receive’ and ‘believe’ in Jesus?

5. Take a few moments to review Jesus’ 17 references to the Father in the Sermon on the Mount listed below. If you are meeting as a group, consider each person reading one verse and continuing until all verses are read aloud as an act of corporate worship. As you consider these verses, what stands out to you? What do we learn about God as Father from this sermon? Spend time praying and worshiping together.

   Mat_5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

   Mat_5:45  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

   Mat_5:48  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

   Mat_6:1  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

   Mat_6:4  so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

   Mat_6:6  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

   Mat_6:8  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

   Mat_6:9  Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

   Mat_6:14  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

   Mat_6:15  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

   Mat_6:18  that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

   Mat_6:26  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

   Mat_6:32  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

   Mat_7:11  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

   Mat_7:21  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

1. Can you remember a season in your life of persistent pleading with God in prayer? What was it about? What answer, if you know, did God give?

2. Read Matthew 7:1-11. Verses 1-6 begin with the negative command, “Judge not.” Verses 7-11 begin with the positive command, “Ask.” What is the relationship between these two commands and their corresponding verses? (hint: in the sermon Robb tied both of these commands to Matthew 6:33).

3. Read Luke 11:5-9. What does it mean to be impudent? How do these verses inform the meaning of the present active imperative, “Ask/Seek/Knock"?

4. Why is it hard to obey Jesus’ command to be audaciously persistent in prayer? Name the hinderances your own experience, as well as hinderances you may observe in others. Conversely, what practical aids have you found helpful to keep you focused and persistent in prayer?

5. Read Matthew 7:8. Where else in the sermon on the mount does Jesus make similar promises (for instance, Matt 5:6; 6:6; etc)? Do you find it difficult to believe Jesus’ promise? How can we help one another to grow in faith and obedience?

• Split into groups of 2-3 people. What highlights did you have from the sermon? What questions did you have? Did you have any takeaways? After a few minutes, come back together and share with the whole group.

• Read Matthew 7:3-6. What does Jesus say about our relationships in this passage? What kind of people is he talking to/about?

• What is the significance of the word “hypocrite” that Jesus used (cf, Mt 6:2, 5, 16)? What do you think is the “log” that we must take out of our eye?

• Matthew 7:6 is a difficult verse that misunderstood can undo the entirety of Jesus’ argument in this passage. Practically speaking, what is Jesus inviting us to do? How do we know whether or not to try to speak truth into somebody’s life?

• Read Matthew 27:39-44. What is Jesus’ attitude towards those who reject him?

• What is one practical step you can take this week in response to our passage?

1. Think about a particular relationship in your past or present that is characterized by a pattern of judgmental, critical attitudes. How do you handle that kind of attitude? How has judgment shaped the relationship?

2. Read Matthew 7:1-2. Why is it necessary for Jesus to give this command to his disciples? How might we take the command too far and so miss the mark of Jesus’ instruction?

3. What reason does Jesus give in these verses for heeding the command? Why does Jesus draw our attention to God and his judgment of us rather than other people and their judgment of us?

4. Why do you think this issue is so important to Jesus? How does our posture of self-righteous hyper-criticism affect the glory of God?

5. Under what circumstances do you personally find it difficult to put off a critical and judgmental spirit? How are we to go about changing these sorts of unhealthy sin patterns in our lives? (for help, read Matthew 11:28-30).

1. If you were to pick one word or phrase to describe your 2024, what would it be and why? What word/phrase would you like to be the banner for 2025?

2. Read Luke 24:1-9. Identify in the angels’ words:

   • The question.

   • The central proclamation.

   • The command.

3. How do the angels note the painful place of their proclamation? Why is the place significant? How does the message of Jesus’ resurrection affect how we relate to our painful places?

4. The question in v5 is a playful rebuke, anticipating the surprise of the resurrection. The women, unaware of the miracle that had taken place, are living as if Jesus were dead when in fact he has risen. In what ways might Christians today live as if the resurrection never happened? What is the difference between the women in the story and us today?

5. The final command from the angels appeals to Jesus’ own words to substantiate their claim of resurrection. Why would they appeal to Jesus rather than the empty tomb? Is there a particular word from Jesus you want to remember in the new year? Share those words with one another, and pray for one another.

1. Do you enjoy the tradition of Christmas gift-giving? Why or why not? How does gift-giving help/hinder our ability to appreciate the gift of Christ at Christmas?

2. Read Luke 1:26-33. What references to David occur in these verses? Why does David feature so prominently in the Christmas story?

3. Read Luke 1:34-37. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the story? In the sermon this morning, we compared the creative action of God in Genesis 1:1-3, Exodus 40:33-35, Luke 1:34-35, and 2 Corinthians 4:6. Describe the similarities between these 4 theaters of action. What seems to be required in order for God the Spirit to work?

4. Read Luke 1:28-29 again. Do you think most people in your life believe themselves to be under God’s favor or judgement? What difference does it make to a person’s life to “have found favor with God”?

5. Of the 3 ‘gifts’ explored in the text today (Glory of the Son, Work of the Spirit, Favor of the Father), which is most meaningful to you in this season of life? Take time to share with one another, to pray together, and to worship God for the gift of His presence in our lives.

To watch the video of the pocket watch mentioned in today’s sermon, click here.

1. Houston shared a story from Bob Goff’s book Love Does about Bob’s encounter with the sacrificial love shown by his Young Life leader, Randy. Do you have any people who have shown you that kind of love? What would you have done if you were in Randy’s shoes?

2. Read Matthew 1:18-25. What do you learn about Joseph from this passage? What is the angel’s message to Joseph? How does Joseph respond to the angel?

3. What does it mean that Joseph was “a just man” (v. 19)? What were Joseph’s options for responding to this situation (cf. Numbers 5, Deuteronomy 22:13-21 and Deuteronomy 24:1)? What were Mary’s options?

4. What is the significance of the angel calling Joseph “son of David” (v. 20)? How does Joseph taking in Mary fulfill the prophecy quoted from Isaiah 7 (vv. 22-23; cf. Isaiah 7:10-17)?

5. We see Joseph experience three more angelic dreams in Matthew (see Matthew 2:13-14, 19-23). What kind of example does Joseph set for us in his responses?

6. Read Matthew 27:39-50. How does the meaning of Jesus’ name (God Saves) help us to understand the significance of these encounters on the cross? How can you respond to the saving work of Jesus on the cross?

1. People tend to orient themselves to time in different ways. Would you say that you are more oriented to the past, present or future? Why do you think so?

2. Read Luke 1:8-12. In the sermon this morning, Robb identified incense, priests, and temple as three important details in Luke’s story. The hour of incense was a daily ritual in which a priest would offer prayers and incense on behalf of the people in the place where the glory of God once dwelt. What is the significance of Gabriel’s appearing at this particular time and place?

3. Luke’s account parallels several details from the stories of Abraham & Sarah (Genesis 15ff) and Manoah father of Samson (Judges 13ff). Why do you think Luke frames this story with so many tight parallels to these well-known ancient stories?

4. Read Luke 1:13-16. What emotions do you think Zechariah and Elizabeth felt as they processed these words in the days after the visitation? 2 Peter 1:4 says that we also live in light of extraordinary promises. In what ways do you identify with Zechariah & Elizabeth’s challenge of receiving God’s promises?

5. In the sermon today, Robb said that TODAY, God is present, God hears our prayers, and God requires faith of us. How did these realities play out in Zechariah & Elizabeth’s lives in Luke 1? How do they play out in our lives today? What actions can we take in light of these realities?

1. When you think about Christmas and angels, what first comes to mind? A song lyric? A movie scene? A nativity set at Grandma’s house? Take a few minutes to share your memories with each other. How do they inform our imaginations around angels and their role in the life of faith?

2. Read Genesis 18:1-5 and 19:1-3. Two of the ‘men’ from Gen 18 are called ‘angels’ in Gen 19. How do these visitors function as messengers & ministers of God’s care to Abraham and his family? Compared to the residents of Sodom (Gen 19:5), how do Abraham and Lot respond to the angelic visitations?

3. Read Hebrews 13:2. Abraham’s story in Genesis 18 likely informs this instruction to care for ‘strangers’ or foreigners. Do you think most Christians take this command seriously? Why or why not?

4. Read Genesis 16:7-13. How does this story relate to Abraham’s story in Genesis 18? In the sermon today, Robb said the “Angel of the LORD” shows us God’s complexity. How do these stories demonstrate the complexities of God’s presence with his people?

5. Read John 1:1, 14; and Hebrews 1:5-8. Why is the incarnation of Jesus more important & glorious than the angelic visitations of the Old Testament? In what ways should we relate to Jesus differently than angels?

6. Christmas can be a difficult time for many people. Take some time to pray for one another this Advent season, and to worship Jesus together as a group.

1. Spend time sharing your thanksgivings of God’s love and faithfulness to you/your family from this past year.

2. Think back on the different decisions of your life; how did your faith influence your decision?

3. Give examples of God’s providence from Genesis 12-25. Where have your seen His providential working (not luck!) in your life?

4. It was said that being ‘redirectable ‘ involves surrender and letting go of expectations. What expectations might you be holding on to that may be keeping you from trusting in the Lord more fully?

5. “All families of the earth shall be blessed.” What exactly is this blessing God promises and how it is fulfilled in Christ? How does God invite His people to further the blessing? Where have you seen (or heard of) people saying yes to God and extending His blessing to others?