Topic: Matthew

Series: Call Of A Disciple
Title: Putting Our Faith To Work
Text: Matthew 7:24-29

General Questions:

  1. In this passage, Jesus challenged his listeners to put his words into practice. What do you think a life of obedience to God is supposed to be like? 

  2. How is a life of obedience different from one that is merely appears to be in obedience to God?

Perspective Questions:

  1. In the imagery of the wise and the foolish men, both men have put effort into build their houses. The difference is therefore not in amount of effort, but rather about choosing what we are building our lives upon. What are some truths of God that you are building your life upon? How are you living these truths out?

  2. What are some temptations that cause believers to choose to live in disobedience to God? How can believers avoid these pitfalls?

  3. What are some tests of faith and obedience that you have been victorious in? What helped you to gain victory in these tests?

Application Questions:

  1. The words of Jesus can be often challenging to live out as they challenge our natural ways of thinking and living. What is an area that the Holy Spirit is calling you into greater obedience?

  2. As believers, we are bound to fail God’s call for obedience every now and then. What are some truths that we can hold on to when we have failed in these areas?

Series: Call Of A Disciple
Title: Following The Voice Amidst Noises
Text: Matthew 7:15-23

Believers may be hindered from following Jesus because they are distracted or derailed by false prophets. They might also be deluded over their own relationship with God. What are some ways in which believers can recognise false prophets, and properly evaluate their own walk with God?

General Questions:

  1. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus states that though false prophets are ferocious wolves, they come to us in sheep’s clothing. What does this imagery teach us about the role of false prophets? Based on this imagery, what could false prophets look like in today’s context?

  2. Based on the context provided in the preceding passages (Matthew 5-7), what could “good fruit” (v17) refer to?

Perspective Questions:

  1. What are some things that can make us susceptible to being deceived by false prophets? What do these tendencies reveal about our walk with God?

  2. Besides being deceived by false prophets, we can deceive ourselves when we become complacent in our walk with Jesus. How and why do we become complacent? What are your potential pitfalls? How can the LG support you in overcoming such complacency?

  3. While we want to be careful about who and what we are listening to, we do not want to veer to the extreme of being critical of every speaker/leader we encounter. How does one be discerning but not critical? What are some attitudes we need to adopt in doing so?

Application Questions:

  1. Refer to the self-examination questions raised during sermon. Think of one area in your life that the LG can support you in as you strive to be a true disciple of Christ.

    • Do I desire to appear right before man more than to live right before God?

    • Are we motivated by church activities more than a desire to know God?

    • Are we concerned about what you can do for God more than what God wants to do in you?

    • Are you concerned about being theologically right more than walking right?

    • Do we seek after God’s blessings more than we seek after God?

    • Do you feel good about your “righteous acts” more than being sorrowful over your sins?

Series: Call Of A Disciple
Title: Choosing The Road Less Traveled
Text: Matthew 7:13-14

In the final instalment of our Discipleship mega-series, Jesus challenges His disciples to take the call of discipleship seriously. The choice is ours – which road to travel on, which voice to follow, which action to take – and it will determine the way we live today and forever more. 

General Questions:

  1. In this passage, Jesus challenges His disciples to choose the road less travelled. How did you feel listening to this message? Were you surprised? Challenged? Concerned? Share your thoughts and feelings. 

  2. Share an occasion that you choose to do something that is right but inconvenient or unpopular. What motivated you to do the right thing?

Perspective Questions:

  1. What are some factors that lead to people choosing the wide gate and broad road that leads to destruction? How can believers avoid them?

  2. There is belief among non-believers that “all religions lead to heaven.”  How has v14 reinforced or debunked this belief? How does living out v14 in our daily lives look like to you?

  3. This Bible passage clearly debunks the notion that Christian life will always be easy, smooth-sailing or comfortable. What would help you to stand firm in your faith when you meet life challenges as a result of following Christ?

Application Questions:

  1. Our prayer life, giving and attitude to God can indicate whether we are living a cozy Christian life instead of walking the narrow path. How would you rate your prayer, giving and attitude today? What is one thing you can do to improve?

  2. By nature, we are inclined to choose what is convenient, comfortable and popular. How can we involve our church community to help us to choose and persevere on the narrow path?

Series: Call Of A Disciple
Title: Where It All Begins
Text: Matthew 7:7-12

In the final installment of our Discipleship mega-series, Jesus challenges His disciples to take the call of discipleship seriously. The choice is ours – which road to travel on, which voice to follow, which action to take – and it will determine the way we live today and forever more. 

General Questions:

  1. What are some character traits of God that are highlighted by the passage?

  2. Persistent prayer shifts our hearts from one that is distant to one that is intimate with God. It can also lead to greater trust in His character. Share some personal experiences or stories you have heard from others about these “shifts”.

  3. Beyond wanting others to treat us well, what biblical basis does the passage provide for us to be able to love others? 

Perspective Questions:

  1. Consider some of our own experiences as we journey with God. How do we make sense of moments where our prayers seemingly go unanswered? What helps us to trust Him despite such moments?

  2. What are some circumstances or factors that can make it challenging for us to apply the Golden Rule, i.e. to do to others what we would have them do to us, towards others? How does a trusting, intimate relationship with God affect this?

Application Questions:

  1. By nature, we are self-centred, self-seeking, self-preserving and self-pleasuring. What can we do to fight these natural instincts to care only for ourselves? Think of a few practical solutions you can incorporate into your life.

  2. Are there any adjustments that we need to make in order to grow in how we approach God and how much we engage God in our lives? For example, in our understanding of prayer or in the things we tend to pray about.

In the final instalment of our Discipleship mega series, Jesus challenges His disciples to take the call of discipleship seriously. The choice is ours – which road to travel on, which voice to follow, which action to take – and it will determine the way we live today and forever more.

Series: Test Of A Disciple
Title: Being Discerning in a Critical World
Text: Matthew 7:1-6

We live in a world where people are either eager to put others down or are reluctant to judge because “love is acceptance”. Neither extremes are biblical. How can we be discerning in a critical world? 

General Questions:

  1. What do people tend to be critical about? 

  2. In the passage Matthew 7:1-6, what does Jesus say about how believers should judge rightly?

Perspective Questions:

  1. Consider the difference between unrighteous judgment and wise discernment. How do we differentiate them? What are some underlying heart attitudes that can lead to either of them? 

  2. As Christians who are called to love others and point people to Christ, what possible impact does being judgmental have on us? How does Jesus’ call for self-examination affect our interactions with others, especially if the other party is in the wrong? What makes this self-examination important?

Application Questions:

  1. One sign of humility is how strict we are with our own thoughts, actions and speech. Consider how strict we are with ourselves. What would help us to be more candid about our faults and failings? How can we be more open to receiving correction? 

  2. Reflect and share about any people issues that we might be facing in school, at work or at home. How can we handle these issues with wise discernment or be a good judge of character?

Series: Test Of A Disciple
Title: Being Confident in an Uncertain World
Text: Matthew 6:25-34

As we face an unpredictable future, we strive to take control of our lives. But when things get beyond our control, we spiral into anxiety. What, according to Jesus, is a better way to live in an uncertain world?

General Questions:

  1. Recall a time in your life that is the most uncertain. How did you feel? If you were to go through the same episode again, how would having God and the LG make a difference?

  2. Who is the most confident person you have met? Share an incident when his/her confidence stands out.

Perspective Questions:

  1. Are concerns about food, shelter and retirement valid? How is being concerned and taking responsibility different from worrying (spiralling into anxiety and wanting to take control)?

  2. Why do some believers worry despite knowing that God is their provider? What would assure them that God cares for them and looks out for their needs?

Application Questions:

  1. Matthew 6:33 is not a command and an assurance for the most committed Christians, but for every Christian. How do you think believers can live up to such a high bar set by Jesus?  

  2. Uncertain times can be good opportunities to share the Good News. When others see our confidence, they may want to know why we are different from those who are preoccupied with worries. How can you share the reason for your confidence to people around you today?

Series: Test Of A Disciple
Title: Being Contented in a Materialistic World
Text: Matthew 6:19-24

We live in a world where material wealth could give us a false sense of security and self-worth, and distract us from undivided loyalty to God’s kingdom. How can Christ followers obey Jesus’ countercultural teachings and pass the test of handling material wealth?

General Questions:

  1. What we spend on reflects what we value. Think through the areas that you spend your money on. What are the top three areas? Do you agree that these coincide with what you value? Why?

  2. Would you say that materialism has become acceptable in an affluent society like Singapore? Why? How would you describe a materialistic person? How can a believer become tainted by materialism?

Perspective Questions:

  1. Jesus teaches us to invest in eternal treasures instead of storing up material wealth which is insecure and temporal. How should believers view material wealth, and approach savings and investment? 

  2. Jesus teaches us to invest in eternal treasures instead of storing up material wealth which is insecure and temporal. How should believers view material wealth, and approach savings and investment? 

  3. Being contented when the world keeps telling us to consume more is not easy. How do we know when to say “I have enough”? How can we order our desires properly in view of eternity?

Application Questions:

  1. How can we guard our hearts against materialism? 

  2. What does it mean to store up treasures in heaven? How can we do that?

Series: Test Of A Disciple
Title: Being Authentic in a Superficial World
Text: Matthew 6:1-18

In this series, we look at the challenges of being a disciple living in the world with a polar-opposite worldview. The first sermon focuses on the test of being an authentic disciple in a superficial world.

General Questions:

  1. Would you agree that we live in a superficial world? What are some examples you see? What kind of pressure or temptation would a believer face trying to live out his/her faith in such a world?

Perspective Questions:

  1. What is the connection between authenticity and action? What does activity or inactivity say about our faith?

  2. If you could describe an authentic disciple in your own words, what would you say?

  3. What are some signs that believers may be doing spiritual things to seek the approval of man instead of the approval of God? 

Application Questions:

  1. Jesus challenges His disciples to prioritise God’s lasting reward over man’s temporal praises. Only those who practise spiritual activities with righteous motives and in righteous manners will receive God’s reward. How do you think believers can constantly examine and/or watch their motives?

  2. We live in the age of social media where it is easy and/or tempting to make our lives look better or more impressive than it really is online. How can we resist the pressure to keep up appearances? How can we use the technology of social media to honour God?

How do we know whether a teabag works? When we place it in hot water.

A teabag adds flavour to the water around it, yet retaining its nature. Similarly, the test of a disciple is their ability to engage and influence the world without being tainted by it.

Discover how we can obey Jesus’ countercultural teachings while remaining unsullied by the world we live in!