Preparing for Sunday - Matthew 8:18-22

April 11, 2013 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

Read Matthew 8:18-22
What did Jesus command his disciples to do? What motivated him to command this?
What does "the other side" refer to? Where is this? How do you know?
Where have we seen "scribes" mentioned thus far in the book of Matthew? From these places, what do we know about them, especially in relation to Jesus' ministry?
What does the scribe tell Jesus? What does the scribe think of Jesus from the title he uses for Jesus?
How does Jesus respond to the scribe and what does it suggest about the scribe's statement?
Who else comes to talk with Jesus? What is the difference between this individual and the scribe? What is similar?
What would be wrong with the disciple's request of Jesus?
What does Jesus' difficult words suggest about how valuable Jesus must be if someone is to genuinely follow him?

What benefits and blessings do you currently possess, that if removed, would challenge whether or not you would want to continue to align yourself as a devoted follower of Jesus?
What relationships do you value in your life? How can you tell if your value of your relationship to Jesus is higher than your value of these other relationships?
Is Jesus saying we cannot enjoy any comforts, blessings, gifts, or other relationships in this world? Why or why not? How would you summarize what Jesus is saying about discipleship?
What characteristics would you use to describe your discipleship?

List ways that God's blessings, or relationships with others find greater value to you than following Christ.
Write out what it would look like to use specific gifts, blessings, comforts, and relationships in ways that demonstrate the ultimate value of following Jesus.
Spend time in personal prayer, perhaps confessing sin of misplaced loyalty; perhaps asking for grace to realign your priorities; perhaps thanking God for his work in your heart to value Christ supremely in all things.
Pray for our gathering this Sunday: that those without Christ will have their eyes opened and their spiritual appetite awakened to desire Christ above everything; that God's people will be encouraged to walk with Christ in more focused and thorough ways.
Pray for those who will be leading our gathering: Dawson Bryant, music; Sam Karl, Elders' Prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Listen to the songs we will be singing on Sunday and review the lyrics, preparing yourself to sing with joy and undertanding with the church this Lord's Day.