Matthew_4_and_11.pdf

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Matthew 4:17
- Luke 1:68-75
- Isaiah 61:1

**Observation Questions:**
1. What does Jesus proclaim in Matthew 4:17, and how does this relate to the concept of the Kingdom of God?
2. In Luke 1:68-75, what hopes and expectations does Zechariah express about the coming Messiah?
3. How does Isaiah 61:1 describe the mission of the Messiah, and how is this reflected in Jesus' ministry?

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. How does the sermon challenge the idea of the Gospel being a purely personal message? What implications does this have for how believers live out their faith?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Kingdom of God is a present reality, and how should this influence a believer's daily life?
3. How does the concept of "Kingdom Nearsightedness" encourage believers to engage with the world around them? What specific areas of sin, pain, or injustice might this perspective highlight?

**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. How can you actively participate in the communal aspect of the Gospel, as emphasized in the sermon?
2. The sermon speaks of the Kingdom of God as a present reality. What changes might you need to make in your life to live more fully under God's rule and reign?
3. Consider the transformative power of the Gospel in your own life. How can you share this story with others and invite them into the transformative work of Christ?
4. "Kingdom Nearsightedness" calls us to focus on areas of sin and injustice. Identify one specific issue in your community that you feel called to address. What steps can you take to make a difference?
5. The church is described as a nurturing community. How can you contribute to making your church a place of healing and support for those who are hurting or in need?
6. Think about a time when you prioritized personal faith over communal involvement. How can you balance these aspects of your faith moving forward?
7. The sermon highlights the importance of bearing witness to God's saving work. What is one practical way you can bear witness to Christ's mission in your daily interactions this week?

Day 1: The Gospel as a Communal Journey
The Gospel invites us into a shared journey, not a solitary path. It challenges the notion of a privatized faith, urging us to engage deeply with the community of believers. This communal aspect reflects the Kingdom of God, where harmony and unity under God's reign are paramount. By participating in the life of the church, we grow and serve together, embodying the Gospel's call to live in community. This shared journey is transformative, as we learn from one another, support each other, and collectively bear witness to God's work in our lives.

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to encourage or support in their faith journey?


Day 2: Embracing the Kingdom of God Now
The Kingdom of God is not a distant dream but a present reality brought forth through Jesus Christ. This reality calls us to repentance and transformation, inviting us to live under God's rule and reign today. As believers, we are called to recognize and respond to this Kingdom, allowing it to shape our lives and actions in the here and now. This means living with an awareness of God's presence and purpose in our daily lives, seeking to align our actions with His will and participating in His redemptive work in the world.

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"

Reflection: What is one way you can actively participate in God's Kingdom today, bringing His love and justice into your immediate surroundings?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The Gospel is a powerful narrative that explains our world and transforms our lives. Unlike other stories that promise fulfillment but fall short, the Gospel truly satisfies our deepest longings and changes us from the inside out. This transformation is both personal and communal, as we are called to share this good news with others and invite them into the transformative work of Christ. As we embrace the Gospel, we experience a profound change in our hearts and minds, leading us to live in a way that reflects God's love and grace.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: How has the Gospel transformed your life recently, and how can you share this transformation with someone else this week?


Day 4: Living with Kingdom Nearsightedness
As followers of Christ, we are called to live with "Kingdom Nearsightedness," focusing on the areas of sin, pain, and injustice in our world. We are to bear witness to the saving, liberating, and redeeming work of Christ, actively participating in His mission to bring healing and restoration. This perspective challenges us to see beyond our personal concerns and engage with the world around us in meaningful ways. By doing so, we become agents of change, reflecting God's love and justice in a broken world.

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Identify one area of injustice or need in your community. How can you take a step this week to address it with the love and justice of Christ?


Day 5: The Church as a Nurturing Community
The church is called to be a nurturing and nourishing community that serves Christ's mission. This involves being a place of healing and support for the hurting and hungry, both spiritually and physically. By understanding our identity in light of Christ's mission, we can avoid becoming insular and instead become a vibrant community that reflects God's love and grace to the world. As a nurturing community, the church provides a safe space for growth, healing, and transformation, equipping believers to serve and love others.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a more nurturing and supportive community for those in need?

1. "We’ve institutionalized the Gospel and individualized its message, making it easier to create deciders for Jesus than disciples who are formed through a lifetime of following Him in community."


2. "The Gospel is personal, but it is not private. An understanding of the Gospel that is only personal is incomplete and one-dimensional."


3. "The Gospel is the good news that the saving reign and rule of God has come by the Spirit, through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ."


4. "Jesus’ message is an invitation to react, wake up to the reality of God’s Kingdom, and receive the reality of His saving reign and rule."


5. "The Gospel is a story that explains and a message that transforms. It fulfills your deepest longings and transforms your life."


6. "Social media and careers promise transformation and identity, but only the Gospel tells the story that explains everything we know to be true about ourselves and our world."


7. "Because of the forward-back reality of the Gospel, we are to live with Kingdom Nearsightedness, longing for others to experience the same transformation."


8. "Being a community serving Christ’s mission means bearing witness to the reality of God’s saving, liberating, and redeeming reign and rule in Jesus Christ."


9. "In baptism, God has marked us as His own, called us, and set us apart to be His people in this world, bearing witness to His saving work in Christ."


10. "The healing miracles of Jesus are revelations of the reality of the Kingdom breaking through in the here and now, a foretaste of what is to come."