- Preacher: Steve Constable
- Sermon Series: Engage
- Sermon Title: Engaging With the Poor
- Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon Discussion Questions
Warm Up – (go browsing) What is the difference between a sheep and a goat? How do you tell a young goat from a young sheep? To whom would it matter?
READ Matthew 25:31-46
- (verse 31) The story begins with the arrival of the “Son of Man in his glory;” we normally assume Jesus is talking about Himself here. When we think of Jesus, how often do we think of him as the Son of Man in His glory? What aspects (attribute) of His glory is chiefly described in this story?
- (32-33) Often in sheep-herding cultures, such as when a shepherd is taking his sheep to market, his sheep may get mixed up with other sheep or even other animals like goats. This is the picture of the discerning shepherd who knows His sheep and is able to pick them out personally. READ John 10:14-16. How does this influence your reading of the scene?
- (34-36) The King (meaning Jesus) explains His judgment to everyone, telling those on His right that they are blessed by His Father. What do you notice about the speed of the judgment? How long has the King known the results of the judgment (34c)? He then offers six characteristics of them. Are these characteristics (e.g. “I was hungry and you gave me food”) the reason for or the outcome of the King’s choosing them?
- (37-45) The sheep and the goats give two different reactions to these characteristics that the judge has seen in them or not seen. What do you notice, and why do you think it matters?
- (40, 45) The topic this coming Sunday will be our engagement with the Poor. What does the King think about “the least of these”? Who are they to Him? Again, contrast the reactions between the sheep people and the goat people. What do you notice about their surprises at His judgment?
- Plainly, “the least of these My brothers” matter to our Lord. More than that, how we who have been given more than so many around us respond to them with what we have also seems to matter greatly to God. Why do you think our response to them matters, and what do these six different kinds of the poor tell us about God views the range of responsibilities/opportunities He is giving us for them?
- PRAY for our church community, for yourself and your children, and for your neighbors that in every conceivable way you and they (through you) would know the love of Jesus Christ today.