The Continuing Brightness of Jesus's Ministry in Us (Matthew 4:12-23)

OUTLINE:

Main Point: In discipleship, you are joining to Jesus’s mission to live in God’s reign and be a light to the world.

I. Grasping the Needed Hope v12-16

A. Where Hopelessness Exists v15

B. Where Darkness Exists v16

II. Announcing the Kingdom v17

III. Following the Given Hope v18-22

IV. Manifesting the Kingdom v23-25

Beyond the Walls

Weekly Reading:

Day 1: Jesus Takes the Torch

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:12-16, Isaiah 9:1-2, Psalm 107:10-14

Questions:

1. How does the fact that Jesus began His ministry in a despised, "spiritually dark" place like Galilee challenge your expectations of how and where God chooses to act?

2. Where in your own life or community do you see yourself living in "darkness," and how can you ask Jesus, the great light, to dawn on that situation?

3. How can you, as someone with the light of Christ, intentionally seek to be a hope-bearer in places or among people that are often looked down upon or considered hopeless by the world?

Day 2: The Kingdom Message and Call

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:17-19, Jonah 3:1-5, Mark 1:15, Deuteronomy 10:12

Questions:

1. How does the consistency of Jesus and John's message of repentance challenge you to be persistent in living out and sharing the truth of God's reign?

2. Considering that Jesus' call to "follow me" was an unconditional, unexplained demand, what in your life might you need to give up control of in order to follow Him more fully?

3. Are you currently viewing your life and faith as a journey of learning or as a mission of active living? How can you move from passive following to active discipleship?

Day 3: Following the Unconditional Call

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:20-22, Mark 1:17-18, Luke 5:10-11, Philippians 3:7-8

Questions:

1. How does the "immediacy" of the disciples' response challenge you to re-evaluate your own commitment to Jesus, especially when facing decisions that require you to leave the comfortable and familiar?

2. The disciples had to leave their nets and family ties. What earthly attachments or comforts might be holding you back from a deeper, more committed relationship with Jesus?

3. How can you, as an "ordinary person," be encouraged by the fact that Jesus didn't call the most highly-trained religious leaders, but instead called fishermen to join His mission?

Day 4: Manifesting the Kingdom Hope

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:23-25, Isaiah 61:1, Mark 1:32-34, Luke 4:40-41

Questions:

1. How does Jesus' three-part ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing challenge you to pursue a wholistic mission that addresses both the spiritual and physical needs of those around you?

2. In what ways can you, as a disciple, work to bring the "good news of the kingdom" to people in unexpected places, just as Jesus's reputation and ministry reached even into Syria?

Day 5: The Mission of Discipleship

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:12-25, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Romans 1:16

Questions:

1. What is the difference between being a passive member of a "crowd" of followers and an active disciple on mission for Jesus, and which role are you currently living out?

2. How can you apply the mission of being a "fisher of men" to your specific profession and relationships, using your unique context to reach those who are in spiritual darkness?

3. What is one concrete step you can take this week to live out the truth that your primary allegiance is to Jesus and His mission, even if it requires you to sacrifice a measure of comfort or familiarity?