CPC Discussions: October 2017

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Sermon Discussion: Matthew 20:1-16 (Sept. 29, 2017)

Matthew 20:1-16
Sept. 29, 2017
"The Kingdom of Heaven is Bad Business"

1. Re-read Matthew 20:1-16. What details stand out to you?

2. Why do you think the vineyard owner makes five separate trips to the market to hire workers? What evidence from this story supports your answer?

3. Do you sympathize with the 12-hour workers' complaint in verse 12? Why?

4. What difference would it make to think of yourself as a 5:00 pm person, rather than a 6:00 am person? Why is this difficult to accomplish?

5. Ryan claimed that the Kingdom of heaven is only good news when we realize that it is bad business. What do you think he meant by that? Do you agree?

Seven Tips For Staying On Track

1. Read through the Bible together with other people.

2. There will be some passages that you may not find interesting and / or difficult to read. Remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as you read these passages: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work." Ask yourself why God spoke this particular passage, and how it is profitable to you.

3. Do the whole reading for each day, but look for a "best thought" for each day - something you can ponder the rest of the day, a verse to memorize, something memorable.

4. As you come the Word each morning, ask God to open your eyes to the wonders found in his word.

5. Let your prayers for others flow out of what you read. Pray and read Scripture. After you read a passage, pray that passage for yourself and for others.

6. Some readings will be long and some short. Take advantage of shorter passages by reading them carefully, reflecting, asking questions, praying for answers, engage.

7. Look for ways you can practically live out what you're reading. James 1:22, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."

*The above is taken from Stephen Witmer, http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/12/29/two-year-bible-reading-plan/