THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. We believe God has called us to embrace a life of SERVING. We live out Christ’s example by serving others with love and humility. Serving is not about filling a need; it’s about creating space in our hearts to be used by God in amazing ways. Find your place to serve at Ada Bible by visiting adabible.info>SERVE.
GROUP VALUES. This September, we’re focusing on our spiritual STORIES. Our faith journeys are often marked by seasons of growth, challenge and change. This week, consider the SEASONS of your spiritual life. Reflect on periods of spiritual abundance, times of drought or moments that changed your walk with God. Share with your group how these different seasons have deepened your faith and what you’ve learned about God’s faithfulness throughout them.
GROW AS A LEADER. As you get into a rhythm of meeting as a small group this fall, we encourage you to A.C.T. A stands for having an ACTIVE relationship with Jesus. C stands for CHAMPION Share Life, Pursue God and Invest in Others. T stands for being a TEAM PLAYER. You’re a team player as you:
- Engage with small groups and the church.
- Participate in Be-Know-Do.
- Support the teachings and beliefs of Ada Bible Church.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the third week of our sermon series, IS JESUS WORTH FOLLOWING? This week, we explore Jesus’s controversial interactions and the transformative power of following him.
ICEBREAKER
What’s the most memorable party you’ve ever attended, and what made it stand out?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Matthew 9:9-17 aloud.
What stands out about Jesus’s interactions with different groups of people in this passage?
How do various characters in this story respond to Jesus’s actions and words?
What metaphors or illustrations does Jesus use in this passage, and what might they represent?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer continued our Is Jesus Worth Following? sermon series by discussing the controversial party Jesus attended at Matthew’s house. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
What are some differences between being a fan of someone or something and being a follower?
Jesus invited Matthew to follow him before Matthew left the tax booth. How does this challenge our assumptions about when God loves us and invites us to follow him?
Following Jesus requires leaving some things behind. What are some things you have left behind to follow Jesus?
Jesus attends a dinner party at Matthew’s place with some controversial guests. Who has been a good example of showing mercy to those society might deem unworthy? What about them inspires you?
How can we grow in becoming more merciful people, especially toward those we find challenging to show mercy?
Jesus has the power to cleanse us from all that we have done wrong. Do you, or have you ever, struggled to believe Jesus can cleanse you from everything? If you are comfortable sharing, what did that look like, and how is God meeting you?
What could turning to Jesus and admitting your need for him right now look like?
Jesus uses metaphors of a wedding and old and new cloth and wineskins to show that our old ways of living aren’t compatible with his new way of life. What old patterns or beliefs need to be replaced for you to follow Jesus fully?
What does it practically look like to surrender those old ways to Jesus’s authority in your current season of life?
WRAP UP
This week, we discussed how Jesus calls us to leave behind our old lives and fully surrender to His transformative power. What from this conversation or the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?