Message Notes
Look Back
What steps did you take to trust in God’s provision this week? How did this affect your thoughts and worries this week?
Look Up
Read Matthew 23:13
- What does Jesus mean when He accuses the Jewish religious leaders of “shutting the door of the kingdom of heaven” on other people? Based on what you know of Jesus’ other teaching, is this actually possible? Why or why not?
- Jesus also says that the religious leaders did not “enter” the kingdom of heaven. What was He referring to and how do people today “enter” God’s kingdom?
Read Matthew 23:15
- What does this verse say about people? What things drive the desire for people to control and shape others? How do you ensure that you do not fall into a similar pattern of behavior?
Read Matthew 23:25-28
- In these verses, Jesus uses some extreme examples to illustrate what He saw in the life and behavior of religious leaders. What do these examples have in common and what point was Jesus trying to make?
- What specific things does Jesus accuse the religious leaders of doing? What does this say about Jesus and what He expects of His followers?
- Jesus gives the religious leaders a solution to their condition in verse 2 What is He actually telling them to do and how does this apply to people today? What keeps people from following the direction Jesus gives in this verse?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
Where do you see pride without grace in your life? Where do you see grace without truth? Are you controlling or humble?
Notes
There’s a big difference between pursuing truth and trying to police it for everyone. As followers of Jesus, we strive to empower others by sharing power and lifting others up, rather than controlling others by hoarding power and maintaining hierarchy. Jesus alone is the solution, as His Spirit in us is the only thing that can transform our self-indulgence and change our hearts from arrogance to humility. We need to follow and submit to the teaching of Jesus daily by humbly recognizing our personal shortcomings before trying to fix or control others.
