PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THE SERMON BY LOOKING THROUGH THESE SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL ASSIST YOU IN MAKING THE MOST OF OUR TIME TOGETHER HEARING GOD'S WORD.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• For the context of this passage, read all of Matthew 25. What is this section of Matthew’s Gospel talking about?
• What genre of literature is verses 14-30 (e.g., history, poetry, parable, etc.)? How does this help us interpret the passage?
• What is “it” referring to in verse 14?
• Who does the man represent in verse 14? Who do his slaves represent? What about the possessions they are entrusted with?
• What does the word “immediately” tell us about the character of the five-talent slave in verse 16?
• Why did the third slave’s bury his talent according to his explanation in verses 24-25?
• What characteristics are praised in this passage? Which are condemned? How does this connect to the larger context of being ready for Christ’s return?

Prayerfully Meditate

• Is this passage saying that all people just need to be faithful with the life and talents they’ve been given, and they’ll go to heaven? Why or why not?
• From the third slave’s explanation, what do you think is his motivation behind giving his master “what is yours” in verse 25? How can we have the same sinful heart today?
• Who owns the slaves? Who owns the first eight talents? Who owns the newly gained seven talents? How does this shape our view of God and our relationship to Him?
• What is the point of this passage? Could you sum up its meaning in a single sentence?