- What is the biggest commitment you have ever made?
- How do the big commitments in life change our lives?
- Have you been baptized? If so, what does your baptism mean to you?
Read Matthew 3:13-17
- Why do you think Jesus was baptized by John?
Read Luke 3:16
- As we discussed this morning, how was John’s baptism different from the baptism we have in Jesus?
Read Romans 6:4-5
- What does baptism symbolize in our lives?
Read Acts 2:37-39
- What do you think it means to repent? How does this relate to our baptism?
- What happens in our lives when we accept the forgiveness and grace of Jesus?
- How will our lives change when we receive the Holy Spirit?
- If you have been baptized how has your baptism changed your life?
Luke 4:1-13
- How did Jesus respond to temptation in Luke 4, and what can we learn from his example when we face our own temptations?
- Can you think of a time when you resisted a temptation? What helped you during that situation?
Song of Songs 2:15
- What are some small steps that lead to bigger sin and why is it important to recognize those steps early?
- Reflect on an area of your life where you might be ignoring small temptations. How can you address those before they grow?
James 1:14-15
- James 1 talks about the progression of temptation leading to sin and then death. How can understanding this progression help us avoid sin?
- In what ways can you remind yourself that indulging in minor desires might lead to greater issues in your life?
James 5:16
- How can having accountability partners in your life be beneficial? Do you have one?
- Who in your life could you ask to be an accountability partner? How might this change your approach to handling temptation?
John 15:4
- What role does building a relationship with Jesus play in resisting temptation and sin, according to the sermon?
- What are some practical steps you can take this week to strengthen your relationship with Jesus?
Luke 4:31-37
- Why were the people amazed by Jesus’ teaching and actions?
- What does Jesus’ authority over the demon tell us about His identity as the Messiah?
- How does knowing Jesus has authority over spiritual forces give you confidence in your faith today?
Luke 4:38-41
- What does Jesus’ healing of Simon’s mother-in-law reveal about His love and care for people?
- Why do you think Jesus rebuked the demons and didn’t allow them to speak, even though they recognized Him?
- Can you think of a time in your life when you experienced Jesus’ compassion or healing?
Luke 4:42-44
- Why do you think Jesus withdrew to a solitary place after healing so many people? What does this teach us about balancing ministry and rest?
- How does Jesus’ response to the crowd’s request reflect His focus on His mission?
- What practical steps can you take this week to stay focused on spreading the Gospel and building the Kingdom of God in your daily life?
Matthew 11:1-6
- What do Jesus’ miracles listed in this passage reveal about His mission and His identity as the Messiah?
- Why do you think Jesus used His works rather than a direct answer to assure John’s disciples of who He was?
- How does Jesus’ ability to heal and raise the dead give us hope today for both physical and spiritual restoration?
Isaiah 53:5
- Reflect on a time when Jesus brought healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—into your life. How does this demonstrate His ongoing work in your life?
- How does the parable of the prodigal son illustrate God’s grace and acceptance for sinners, just like Jesus’ interaction with Levi?
- In what ways do you struggle with offering grace to others? How can remembering your own need for grace help you to be more forgiving?
Ephesians 4:32
- Why do you think Jesus chose Levi, a tax collector, to be one of his disciples?
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
- Have you ever felt unworthy or like an outsider?
Mark 2:17
- What message was Jesus conveying when he said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick’?
- How can you reflect this approach of reaching out to those who are struggling or different from you in your daily life?
Matthew 25:35-36
- In what ways can we ensure that our communities, like the disciples and Levi, are open to others?
James 2:1-4
- Think about a situation where you have seen or experienced exclusion. What actions can you take to foster inclusivity in your groups?
Philippians 3:13-14
- What significant changes have you made in your life when you felt a strong calling? How did those changes affect your relationships with others?
Read Luke 6:27-36
- Jesus commands us to love our enemies. What specific actions does He list as ways to show love? (e.g., doing good, blessing, praying, giving, etc.)
How does Jesus’ teaching differ from natural human reactions to conflict?
Read Matthew 5:1-12
How do the Beatitudes shape our understanding of what it means to live as Christ’s followers?
How does being merciful, pure in heart, and a peacemaker relate to loving our enemies?
Read Romans 12:9-21
According to Paul, how should we treat those who persecute us or do evil against us?
What does it mean to “overcome evil with good” (v. 21)?
Read Philippians 2:3-11
What does it mean to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus?
How does Jesus’ humility and self-sacrifice set an example for how we should treat others, even our enemies?
Matthew 11:2-3
- John the Baptist was the one who prepared the way for Jesus, yet in prison, he struggled with doubt. Why do you think his circumstances led him to question Jesus?
- Have you ever felt like God wasn’t acting in the way you expected? How did that impact your faith?
- What are some common expectations people have of God that, when unmet, can lead to doubt?
Matthew 11:4-6
- Instead of directly answering John’s question, Jesus pointed to His works. Why do you think He responded this way?
- How can we remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness when we go through seasons of doubt?
- Jesus says, “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” What do you think He meant by that?
Matthew 11:11
- Even though John doubted, Jesus still affirmed his greatness. What does this tell us about how Jesus views doubt?
- Have you ever felt like your doubts disqualified you from faith? How does this passage challenge that belief?
- What practical steps can we take when we experience doubt so that it strengthens rather than weakens our faith?
Matthew 8:8-10
- In what areas of life do we tend to demand signs or proof before trusting in Jesus?
- What do you think made the centurion’s faith so remarkable to Jesus? How can we grow in that kind of faith?
Read Luke 13:18-21
- How does the imagery of the mustard seed and yeast help us understand the growth of God’s Kingdom?
- Why do you think Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to things that are small but have a powerful effect?
- In what ways have you seen God’s Kingdom grow in your own life or in the world around you?
Read Matthew 17:20
- What does this verse teach us about the power of even a small amount of faith?
- How can we cultivate faith that grows over time?
- Have you ever experienced a time when your faith—though small—made a big difference in your life?
Read Luke 12:1-3
- Jesus warns about the “yeast of the Pharisees,” which He defines as hypocrisy. How does this compare to the positive use of yeast in Luke 13?
- Why do you think Jesus uses the same metaphor (yeast) for both good and bad influences?
- How can we guard ourselves against hypocrisy while still striving to grow in our faith?
Read Ezekiel 17:22-24
- How does this prophecy in Ezekiel relate to Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed?
- What does this passage teach us about God’s power in growing His Kingdom?
- How does God’s ability to “bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall” challenge our understanding of success and influence?
Read Revelation 18:2
- In the parable of the mustard seed, birds find shelter in its branches. How does this verse in Revelation provide a contrasting view of what can take root within a kingdom?
- What does this teach us about the potential for both good and evil to exist within human structures—even within the church?
- How can we ensure that we are cultivating a Kingdom rooted in righteousness rather than corruption?