Preparing for Sunday - Matthew 18:1-14

December 4, 2014 Preparing for Sunday

Read Matthew 18:1-14. Review Matthew 17 for context.
How long after Jesus addressing paying the temple tax is this section? (v1) How does that impact what this text means?
Why does Jesus use a physical child to relate who is the greatest, cutting off your hand, and searching for a lost sheep?
Who is Jesus calling a stumbling block? (vv 7-8)
What does Jesus mean "to cut off your hand and tear out your eye"? How does this help us to not sin? vv (8-10)
Who is Jesus referring to when he says the "little ones"? (vv 6, 10, 14)
What is meant by the reference to angels seeing the face of the Father in heaven? Whose angels are they? (v10)
Where is verse 11?
How does Jesus relate the parable of the lost sheep to the "little ones"? (vv 12-14)

Are you a stumbling block to anyone around you? If so, what causes that and how can you address the sinful areas in your life?
How are you viewing sin in your life? Is it a hindrance or mistake in your daily activities, OR is it something that deserves more attention and full scale war to attack and remove it from your life?
How can we help others in our church who are stumbling or are a stumbling block?
What is the value Jesus places on those that belong to him?

How can studying a passage like this, prepare you to listen to sermons and fellowship on Sunday?
How would this passage assist you in praying specifically for others at Summit Woods?
Evaluate the sin in your life and determine how you are fighting it.
Pray for non-Christians who will be present this Sunday to respond to the Gospel preached.
How should this text impact our congregation as a whole?
Pray that God will prepare our hearts and minds for his work of grace this Sunday as we gather together to worship in song, sermon and fellowship.
Pray for those who will be leading our gathering to edify the body well: Dawson Bryant, music; Adam Naler, Elders' Prayer and Scripture Reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Prepare yourself by reviewing the list of songs we will sing together and to one another on the Lord's Day.