Study for Jan. 24, 2021: Singular Servants (Matthew 6:19-34)
“Consider the Birds” by David Faust (Lesson Application)
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Study Questions for Groups
1. What challenge did you face last week as you sought to live for Christ?
2. Were you more aware of your motives as you engaged in spiritual disciplines over the past week? If so, how?
Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Matthew 6:19-34 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions.
Ask the third person to summarize the teaching in one minute or less. (After the reteller finishes, others can fill in any parts the person may have missed.)
3. What perspectives on life does Jesus provide in this passage?
4. Let’s dig deeper into this passage:
• Note the short phrase at the end of verse 30, “you of little faith.” What does this phrase indicate to you about Jesus’ audience and his purpose for teaching this?
• What does this passage teach you about: Jesus’ lordship? . . . faith? . . . God as our provider? . . . God as sovereign (in control)? . . . other:___?
• How do we combat worry?
5. What do you learn about God from this passage?
6. What do you learn about people and how Jesus wants us to see ourselves?
7. Look at the choices this passage presents: seeking treasures on earth or in heaven, committing ourselves to money or God as our master, embracing worry or faith, being preoccupied with food and clothing or seeking God, living as pagans or as disciples of Jesus. All of these are matters of obedience for the person who endeavors to live as a Christ follower. Which of these choices are you facing right now, and what will you do to choose wisely?
8. Seeking God’s kingdom and his righteousness includes living out his kingdom mission to “go and make disciples of all nations . . .” (Matthew 28:19). In what specific way will you carry out that mission this week?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. In what way will you ask God to provide for you this week?
For Next Week: Over the next week, read and reflect on Matthew 7:1-27 as we continue studying the Sermon on the Mount. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Michael C. Mack
Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. He has served in churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky. He has written more than 25 books and discussion guides as well as hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and web-based articles.
