IBC Richmond

Application Questions: 1. What is blasphemy? Why does Jesus say, “the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Mt 12:31b)? What is the difference between blasphemy against the Son and the Spirit (vs. 32)? 2. If trees are know by their fruit, what are you known for? How would a friend or family member describe you in one word? Do you like how you’re described? If not, how can you change...

Application Questions: Did Jesus disobey the OT Law? Are Christian required to observe the Sabbath? Why or why not? What does Jesus mean “For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath”? (vs. 8) Clearly, religious people opposed Jesus (Mt 12:14). How should Christians handle hostility or opposition to Jesus’ work now? Be specific to the local church. Isaiah 42:3 say of Jesus, “A bruised reed he will no...

Application Questions: Did Jesus disobey the OT Law? Are Christian required to observe the Sabbath? Why or why not? What does Jesus mean “For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath”? (vs. 8) Clearly, religious people opposed Jesus (Mt 12:14). How should Christians handle hostility or opposition to Jesus’ work now? Be specific to the local church. Isaiah 42:3 say of Jesus, “A bruised reed he will no...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: Jesus comments about God the Father, “for such is your gracious will” (vs. 26b). How responsible are believers to do God’s will verses accepting God’s will? Are there any clues from Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will? Who are the “little children” (vs. 25) whom Jesus invites to come to him? Why does Jesus invite the children and hide from the “wise and understanding”? Wha...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: Jesus comments about God the Father, “for such is your gracious will” (vs. 26b). How responsible are believers to do God’s will verses accepting God’s will? Are there any clues from Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will? Who are the “little children” (vs. 25) whom Jesus invites to come to him? Why does Jesus invite the children and hide from the “wise and understanding”? Wha...

Application Questions: 1. Is it okay for a Christian to struggle with doubts about the God, the Bible, and salvation? How do you handle doubt? Where does a person find answers and assurance? 2. Who is great in Jesus’ estimation? What can be learned from the example of John the Baptist? 3. How does Jesus critique his generation? Are you a Baby Boomer, Gen X, or Millennial? How do you evaluate your...

Application Questions: 1. Is it okay for a Christian to struggle with doubts about the God, the Bible, and salvation? How do you handle doubt? Where does a person find answers and assurance? 2. Who is great in Jesus’ estimation? What can be learned from the example of John the Baptist? 3. How does Jesus critique his generation? Are you a Baby Boomer, Gen X, or Millennial? How do you evaluate your...

Application Questions: 1. What is an Apostle? Why are Jesus’ 12 disciples called apostles in Mt 10:2? Is the Apostolic office active day? why or why not? 2. Why did Jesus send the Apostles only to Israel with the Kingdom message (Mt 10:5-7) and not to the Gentiles? 3. Have you suffered in the ways Jesus describes in Mt 10? How, why, or why not? 4. What are three reasons Jesus appeals to disciples...

Application Questions: 1. What is an Apostle? Why are Jesus’ 12 disciples called apostles in Mt 10:2? Is the Apostolic office active day? why or why not? 2. Why did Jesus send the Apostles only to Israel with the Kingdom message (Mt 10:5-7) and not to the Gentiles? 3. Have you suffered in the ways Jesus describes in Mt 10? How, why, or why not? 4. What are three reasons Jesus appeals to disciples...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. Do you give money privately? What does it mean to give in secret? How do you personally apply the principle to financial giving in the church? 2, How did Jesus teach the disciples to pray? List 2-3 points helpful to your prayer life. 3. What is the spiritual principle supporting hiddenness/secrecy? 4. As a Christian, how do you “seek first the kingdom of God and his right...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. Do you give money privately? What does it mean to give in secret? How do you personally apply the principle to financial giving in the church? 2, How did Jesus teach the disciples to pray? List 2-3 points helpful to your prayer life. 3. What is the spiritual principle supporting hiddenness/secrecy? 4. As a Christian, how do you “seek first the kingdom of God and his right...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. Jesus called his disciples “the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13) and “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). What does Jesus mean by these metaphors? How can Christians live as salt and light in today’s world? 2. What are good works? What is the role of good works in the Christian life? How much emphasis should churches and small groups put on practicing good works? 3. Is there a...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. Jesus called his disciples “the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13) and “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). What does Jesus mean by these metaphors? How can Christians live as salt and light in today’s world? 2. What are good works? What is the role of good works in the Christian life? How much emphasis should churches and small groups put on practicing good works? 3. Is there a...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. What does it mean to be blessed by God? How does Jesus’ eight “blessed” statements reshape your view of being glad in God? 2. Of the four “blessed” statements directed towards God (Mt 5:3-6), which one is most unnatural to you? How might you cultivate it as a spiritual discipline? 3. Of the four “blessed” statements directed towards man (Mt 5:7-11), which one is most unna...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. What does it mean to be blessed by God? How does Jesus’ eight “blessed” statements reshape your view of being glad in God? 2. Of the four “blessed” statements directed towards God (Mt 5:3-6), which one is most unnatural to you? How might you cultivate it as a spiritual discipline? 3. Of the four “blessed” statements directed towards man (Mt 5:7-11), which one is most unna...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. What did Jesus mean by “I will make you fishers of men”? Is this a responsibility for all Christian or a unique calling for the 12 Disciples? How might this calling be fulfilled today? 2. What did Peter and Andrew, James and John leave to follow Jesus? Is sacrifice required of Christian disciples? If so, how is sacrifice evident in your life? 3. Jesus taught, proclaimed,...

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 1. What did Jesus mean by “I will make you fishers of men”? Is this a responsibility for all Christian or a unique calling for the 12 Disciples? How might this calling be fulfilled today? 2. What did Peter and Andrew, James and John leave to follow Jesus? Is sacrifice required of Christian disciples? If so, how is sacrifice evident in your life? 3. Jesus taught, proclaimed,...