^{To automatically fill in the blanks, click the blue check next to the fill-in field.}

Not The Jesus Anyone Expected

The Passage:

^{Matthew 11:1-19/ Isaiah 35:5-6; 29:18-19; 61:1/ Malachi 3:1}

Why we call audibles:

The Fear of
The Fear of

What to expect when God is at work:

Expect to be .
^{Isaiah 55:8-9/ John 11:1-45/ 2 Corinthians 1:8-9/ Job 1-2}
Expect to .
^{2 Peter 3:8/ Hebrews 11:8-13/ Genesis 16:1-4; 21:8-14}
Expect God to use the .
^{Mark 9:38-40/ Philippians 1:15-18/ 1 Samuel 16:6-13}
Expect God to keep inviting the to the .
^{Luke 5:27-32/ Luke 14:15-24/ Matthew 22:1-14/ Romans 5:8/ 1 Corinthians 6:9-11/ 1 Timothy 1:15-16}
Expect God to use .
^{Philippians 1:6/ Mark 5:19}

DISCUSSION GUIDE

These questions are designed to help groups discuss the weekend teaching while building relationships with each other and applying God’s Word to our lives.

November 8, 2025 | Matthew 11:1-19

WARM UP

Larry recognized that sometimes the Christian life can feel like we’re a five-year-old kid waiting for Christmas. Think back to Christmas morning as a kid — what were you like? Did you wake your parents early? Try to peek at presents?
This weekend’s message focused a lot on expectations. When facing new situations, do you tend to expect the best or brace for the worst?
Was there anything that stood out to you that was especially encouraging in this week’s message?

KNOW IT

Jesus didn’t fit the expectations of most people in His day, including John the Baptist. Read Isaiah 11:1-10. What stands out to you about the kind of King or Savior this passage describes? How might that have shaped what the Jewish people were expecting?
Re-read Matthew 11:1-15 from this weekend (and optionally Mark 1:1–11 for context). Why do you think even someone like John the Baptist struggled to recognize Jesus for who He was?

Larry called Jesus a “wild man.” What are three of the most surprising or “wild” things about Jesus to you?
We learned five things we can expect when God is at work. Which one tends to be the hardest for you to trust or accept, and why? Share an example when this felt true or challenging for you.

LIVE IT