NEXT STEP 2017
NE
XT STEP 2017
MESSAGE: “NEVER STOP: LEARNING” SERIES: NEVER STOP PASSAGE: Matthew 11:28-30
FIRST STEP: (Pick one or more as a WARM-UP) 1. Would you describe yourself as a learner? Is learning a strength or weakness for you? 2. What have you learned from Christ? What does Christ want to teach you about life? 3. There are two types of people; those who are burdened and those who are at rest. Which one best describes you? How might one who is committed to learning be the one at rest?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Matthew 11:28-30 1. Matthew 11:20-12:8: How would you describe the context for Jesus’ words of rest found in Matthew 11:28-30? In what ways is the culture of Jesus’ day similar to our culture today? Why do you think that the Lord chose to hide certain truths from some, yet reveal it to others? How does the negative illustration of the Sabbath (12:1-8) highlight the significance of following and learning from Christ? 2. Matthew 11:28-30: What does Jesus want us to know, do and feel in this passage? Which words are commands that we need to obey? How would you describe what it means to be a disciple and the process of discipleship from this passage? Are Jesus’ words encouraging or discouraging to you? 3. COME: When Jesus says, “Come to me”, what is he asking us to do exactly? What do you think these words meant in Jesus’ day? How would you paraphrase this concept to one of your friends? In Jesus day, the most outstanding students/disciples, ages 13 and up, would seek permission to study/follow with a famous rabbi. Jesus reverses the invitation as a rabbi, what does this reveal to us about Jesus asking us to follow Him vs us asking Him if we can follow him? 4. YOKE: When Jesus says, “Take my yoke”, what is he asking us to do exactly? What do you think these words meant to the average Jewish follower? How would you describe a yoke to a friend? In Jesus day, a yoke symbolized a teaching/set of rules/set of traditions that one must measure up to in order to be justified before others. Why would Jesus say his yoke is easy and his burden is light? In what ways do you think Jesus’ yoke was different than that of the Pharisees or other rabbi teachers? 5. LEARN: When Jesus says “Learn from me”, what does he want you to learn exactly? What do you think the first disciples thought that Jesus would teach them, if they became his student? In Jesus day, the people of Galilee were very educated and took their religious commitments very seriously. In what ways would Jesus’ teachings have been radically different than the teachings of the local rabbi? 6. NEXT STEP: How can you make NEVER STOP LEARNING a core conviction of your life? What is the first step you need to make to ensure that you will NEVER STOP LEARNING? How will your life be different from here on out if you start learning from Jesus today? Who can you invite on this journey with you? FINAL STEP: Read Psalm 19. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you where you have stopped learning and growing as a disciple. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you how you can make learning a daily experience.
XT STEP 2017
MESSAGE: “NEVER STOP: LEARNING” SERIES: NEVER STOP PASSAGE: Matthew 11:28-30
FIRST STEP: (Pick one or more as a WARM-UP) 1. Would you describe yourself as a learner? Is learning a strength or weakness for you? 2. What have you learned from Christ? What does Christ want to teach you about life? 3. There are two types of people; those who are burdened and those who are at rest. Which one best describes you? How might one who is committed to learning be the one at rest?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Matthew 11:28-30 1. Matthew 11:20-12:8: How would you describe the context for Jesus’ words of rest found in Matthew 11:28-30? In what ways is the culture of Jesus’ day similar to our culture today? Why do you think that the Lord chose to hide certain truths from some, yet reveal it to others? How does the negative illustration of the Sabbath (12:1-8) highlight the significance of following and learning from Christ? 2. Matthew 11:28-30: What does Jesus want us to know, do and feel in this passage? Which words are commands that we need to obey? How would you describe what it means to be a disciple and the process of discipleship from this passage? Are Jesus’ words encouraging or discouraging to you? 3. COME: When Jesus says, “Come to me”, what is he asking us to do exactly? What do you think these words meant in Jesus’ day? How would you paraphrase this concept to one of your friends? In Jesus day, the most outstanding students/disciples, ages 13 and up, would seek permission to study/follow with a famous rabbi. Jesus reverses the invitation as a rabbi, what does this reveal to us about Jesus asking us to follow Him vs us asking Him if we can follow him? 4. YOKE: When Jesus says, “Take my yoke”, what is he asking us to do exactly? What do you think these words meant to the average Jewish follower? How would you describe a yoke to a friend? In Jesus day, a yoke symbolized a teaching/set of rules/set of traditions that one must measure up to in order to be justified before others. Why would Jesus say his yoke is easy and his burden is light? In what ways do you think Jesus’ yoke was different than that of the Pharisees or other rabbi teachers? 5. LEARN: When Jesus says “Learn from me”, what does he want you to learn exactly? What do you think the first disciples thought that Jesus would teach them, if they became his student? In Jesus day, the people of Galilee were very educated and took their religious commitments very seriously. In what ways would Jesus’ teachings have been radically different than the teachings of the local rabbi? 6. NEXT STEP: How can you make NEVER STOP LEARNING a core conviction of your life? What is the first step you need to make to ensure that you will NEVER STOP LEARNING? How will your life be different from here on out if you start learning from Jesus today? Who can you invite on this journey with you? FINAL STEP: Read Psalm 19. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you where you have stopped learning and growing as a disciple. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you how you can make learning a daily experience.
