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The Passage

^{Matthew 13:24-43}

Three Things We Need To Know About God’s Kingdom Here On Earth

1. The Parable About Weeds
Leave the to God.

Never forget

1. Jesus is in the business of turning what looks like into . ^{Ephesians 2:1-3}

   
   

2. Our primary job is to live like a . Not to make - live like a . ^{1 Peter 2:11-12 / 1 Peter 3:15/ Matthew 7:12}

   
   

3. The Bible is supposed to be our , not our . ^{James 1:22-25/ Matthew 7:1-5/ 1 Corinthians 5:12-13}

   
   

4. Without we can’t have . ^{1 Corinthians 5:9-10}

   
   

2. The Parable About A Tiny Seed
God uses to accomplish .

3. The Parable About Yeast
God is at even when we can’t .

WARM UP

1. Jesus spoke in parables, which were stories that taught a truth about God. What was your favorite story to read or listen to as a child or youth? Why did you love it so much?

   
   

2. The parables talked about everyday occurrences as examples of God working in the world. Are you more of a garden person, a baking person, or a “buy it at the store” person?

   
   

3. What has stuck with you the most from this week’s sermon— a phrase, image, or idea? Why do you think that stood out?

   
   

KNOW IT

Parables were intended to encourage Jesus’ listeners to lean in and dig more. Let’s do just that! Re-read Matthew 13:24-43 together and answer the questions below.

1. Jesus gave us several analogies for what the kingdom of heaven is like. Come up with your own modern-day analogy for the kingdom and explain it to your group. How does it represent what following Jesus is like?

   
   

2. Jesus says that God will direct the angels to do the weeding, not us. Why is it important that God is the one who ultimately separates weeds from wheat? Even so, why is it often difficult for us to leave the weeding to God?

   
   

SHARE IT

1. The parable of the mustard seed shows how God uses little things to accomplish great things. In your own life, can you think of something you thought was small, ordinary, or inconsequential that God used to have a huge impact on your life?

   
   

2. Sometimes we can write off people as “weeds” when God is not done working in their lives before the harvest truly comes. Have you ever been surprised that someone you knew became a Christian because they once looked like a weed? What did it teach you?

   
   

LIVE IT

1. These parables were Jesus’ way of teaching us about God’s kingdom on earth. Imagine you were having coffee with a friend and they asked, “What does kingdom living look like?” What would you tell them to do to live like a citizen of God’s kingdom?

   
   

2. Larry mentioned three things to take away from this weekend’s passage. Which of those resonates most with you in your current season of life, and why?