Hey! Check out our community group discussion questions this week.
Matthew 18:5-9 |
Last week we learned that entrance and greatness in the kingdom of heaven requires childlike humility. The picture of being childlike continues in these verses. Jesus is less concerned about greatness in his followers, than he is about sin. He takes the opportunity to warn the disciples with severity about those who cause a childlike follower to sin.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
Matthew 18:5-9
Jesus takes sin incredibly seriously. His message, then and now, is the same. Don’t mess around with sin. There is great punishment for sin. Don’t push others to do it. Run when you are tempted. Do all you can to avoid sin.
Discussion Questions
•How often do you consider…Is there anything in my life - things I say, ways I act, or things I affirm that convince or cause others to sin?
•How often do you check - Is there anything in my life that tempts me to sin?
•Read James 1:13-15 ; 1 Corinthians 10:13
•Where does temptation come from?
•When does temptation become sin?
•What can we know when we face temptation?
•“It’s always easier to avoid temptation than to resist it. In moments of strength, make decisions that will prevent temptation in moments of weakness.” - Randy Alcorn / The Purity Principle
•What decisions could we make now that would prevent temptation?
•What steps do you need to take to radically avoid sin?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Last week we learned that entrance and greatness in the kingdom of heaven requires childlike humility. The picture of being childlike continues in these verses. Jesus is less concerned about greatness in his followers, than he is about sin. He takes the opportunity to warn the disciples with severity about those who cause a childlike follower to sin.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
Matthew 18:5-9
Jesus takes sin incredibly seriously. His message, then and now, is the same. Don’t mess around with sin. There is great punishment for sin. Don’t push others to do it. Run when you are tempted. Do all you can to avoid sin.
Discussion Questions
•How often do you consider…Is there anything in my life - things I say, ways I act, or things I affirm that convince or cause others to sin?
•How often do you check - Is there anything in my life that tempts me to sin?
•Read James 1:13-15 ; 1 Corinthians 10:13
•Where does temptation come from?
•When does temptation become sin?
•What can we know when we face temptation?
•“It’s always easier to avoid temptation than to resist it. In moments of strength, make decisions that will prevent temptation in moments of weakness.” - Randy Alcorn / The Purity Principle
•What decisions could we make now that would prevent temptation?
•What steps do you need to take to radically avoid sin?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?