Queen's Road Cell

1. How is the kingdom of God like a. A mustard seed (13:18-19)   The mustard seed is the 'smallest of all the seeds on earth' (Mk 4:31) - an agricultural rather than a botanical description. From insignificance it grows into significance until it becomes a blessing to the nations (Ezek. 17:23; 31:6; Dan. 4:12, 21). The kingdom will be universal. b. Yeast (13:20-21) Yeast/leaven works invisibly and silently to exert its effects. Once it enters within, a small amount carries disproportionate impact and transforming power. "Three measures" is a large amouht.     2. In what sense is the door to the kingdom wide open (13:18-19, 28-30)?  It is open to all peoples of the world, both Jews and Gentiles.     3. In what sense is the door narrow (13:25, 27)?  On what basis will some people try to enter the kingdom after it is too late (13:26)? Explain in your own words what Jesus is geting at.  Not all who think themselves deserving of the Kingdom will be ...

 17. The Jews looked at tragedies and concluded that the victims must have deserved it. But what lesson should the people have learned from the sudden deaths (13:1-5)? The people raised a question in conjunction with the idea of judgment in the preceding passage. They linked tragedy directly with personal sin (cf. Jn 9:2). Suffering in this view is proportional to the extent of sin. In response, Jesus raised yet another example of disaster/evil and delinks this from personal sin (the Gk for 'offenders' is 'debtors')  This passage gives insight into the Biblical perspective on moral and natural evil.  Suffering is not directly related to personal sin. Jesus assumes that suffering is what all men deserve. None is innocent. Some will receive judgment in this life, but allwill receive similar judgment in the next. The lesson drawn is that we must 'settle our affairs' (12:58) with God before we are similarly judged. The Bible does not speak of God as permitting evil ...

  Jesus reinforces his teaching on the right use of wealth with the reminder that earthly things are temporary and the coming of the Son of Man sure. (Morris). Jesus' original hearers probably would not have thought of the Second Coming, but of a more imminent crisis. But the fullest meaning of Jesus' words is found only when we consider the former.  The pastoral importance of this is that we cannot be complacent in waiting to be accountable only at the Second Coming. We can be asked to account for our actions at any time, even when it is unexpected   12. According to 12:35-40, what should a wise disciple do, and why?   He should be ready for action anytime. He should anticipate the coming of our master so we can welcome Him. The coming may be delaye or at an inconvenient time (late in the night) He will be blessed if the master finds us ready. The master will himself come a serve him. cf. Lk 22:27, For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves?...

 7. Jesus refuses to judge between two greedy sons (12:14). Instead, He tells a parable to show how God will judge all men like these (12:15-21). What is the rich man's mistake? The man who approaches Jesus does not ask Jesus to decide on the merits of two claims: he asks for a decision in his own favour. He seems to be acting unilaterally for nothing indicates that the brother had agreed to have Jesus try the case. 'Man', is far from cordial (cf. Bengel, ‘He addresses him as a stranger’). He came to bring people to God, not to bring property to people (Morris) The rich man: is blessed by God (his land produced plentifully, v.16) had foresight for his finances looking forward to a comfortable retirement. selfish -he had no thought for others ('my' 4 times in vv. 17–19 while 'I' occurs eight times in the Greek) thoughtless for eternity He was a 'fool' - he missed the issues of greatest importance. He thought he could control his future and his lifespa...

 1. Why is hypocrisy dangerously foolish (12:1-3)? How is hypocrisy like yeast? (12:1) In the presence of a very large crowd Jesus addressed His disciples first with His teaching.Yeast {leaven) ' speaks of a penetration that is slow, insidious and constant' (Morris). A small amount can contaminate the whole loaf. Gal 2:11-14 gives an example of how hypocrisy can permeate the church   Hypocrisy cannot be sustained. The truth will eventually come to light. The most secret things will be publically proclaimed. 2. What fear can motivate a hypocrite to act as other people want him to act (12:4)?  The fear of being harmed by people who disagree with your views, or the fear of losing some advantage. Jesus calls His disciples 'friends' only here in the Synoptics. 3.What fear should prevent hypocrisy (12:5)? The fear of God, whose power extends beyond temporary death and who has the power to cast into hell for infinite suffering. The right fear of God (cf. 1 Jn 4:18) is a good t...

 v.27-28   He did not reject the woman, but proceeded to something more significant. The word menoun, translated rather, ‘does not question the truth of the preceding statement, but emphasizes the greater relevance of what follows’ (THB). It is not physical relationship to Jesus that is supremely important, but hearing and keeping the word of God. This points to patient, unspectacular religious practice. The word of God came to the people of that day through the teaching of Jesus as well as through the study of Scripture. They had a certain advantage over others, but Jesus is saying that wherever people have Scripture the path to blessing is open. (Morris)   20. Why was it wicked to ask Jesus for a sign to prove that he was from God (11:14, 16, 29-32)?  In v.17-23 Jesus addressed the charge (v.15) that He was casting out demons by Beelzebul. Now he turns to the request for a sign (v.16)   He had already performed a 'sign' by casting out the mute demon. ...

13. What order of priorities does this prayer reveal? (11:2-4) The first concern we have must always be God - His honour and glory. A person's name summed up the person's whole character. We are to have a right attitude to all God has revealed of himself. To 'hallow' His name is to regard it as holy, to fear the reality behind the name. This effort always begins with us. Jesus may have taught this prayer more than once, to different sets of people (cf. Matt 6:9-13, the Sermon on the Mount). Jesus' reply to the disciple's request. "When you pray, say", shows that he intended the prayer to be used just as it stands. In Matthew it is introduced with, ‘Pray then like this’, which makes it a model on which we can base other prayers.(Morris). It is a corporate prayer ('us') and is to be prayed with an awareness of our place in the family of God.  "Thy kingdom come" is a request that God's will be done fully in all places at all times, s...