Discussion Questions – Curriculum
Week of October 12 -18
Our goal for Bethany’s groups this year as we journey together with Jesus is to. . .
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love
you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He
didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give
everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
Date of Message: Sunday, October 18, 2015
Name of Message: Beloved Son, Tempted Son – Jesus is like us (Series: Reckless Journey: Life Together With Jesus)
Message Text(s): Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1-11, and parallel passages in Mark and Luke
Devotional Reading for the Week: Luke 2:21-52, Mt 2: 1-23, Mk 1:1-13, Luke 3:1-23, Mt 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13
Section I: Call It to Mind
Message:
Kevin talked about Jesus as the beloved Son of God and our identity as beloved children of God. He also pointed
out that Jesus was fully human and endured temptation. What connection do you see between our identity as
beloved children and our times of weakness and temptation?
Did you have any “light bulb or aha!” moments as you listened to his message?
Devotional Readings:
When you read and pondered the devotional readings this week what is one thing that really stood out to you
and why?
What did you learn about Jesus, yourself or others this week from the readings?
Section II: Heart Exploration - Explore the focus of the speaker’s message and the week’s devotional readings
Henri Nouwen wrote, “Yes, there is that voice, the voice that speaks from above and from within and that
whispers softly or declares loudly: ‘You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests.’ It certainly is not easy to hear
that voice in a world filled with voices that shout: ‘You are no good, you are ugly; you are worthless; you are
despicable, you are nobody - unless you can demonstrate the opposite.’ These negative voices are so loud and
persistent that it is easy to believe them….Success, popularity, and power can, indeed present a great
temptation.”
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What is your reaction to Nouwen’s words?
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What are the temptations that cloud your ability to believe you are beloved?
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Do you see similar temptations in the passages describing the temptation of Jesus?
o
How does knowing the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted affect you?
o
What do you take away from the way Jesus responded to temptation?
Section III: Digging Deep
Matthew 17:1-8 describes another time when the voice of the Father was heard. Read these verses aloud together.
Then divide up the speaking parts of the narrator, Peter, Jesus, and the Father’s voice from the cloud and read the
passage like a dramatic script.
Matthew 17:1-8
Narrator: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high
mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as
white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus
Peter: Lord it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for
Elijah.
Narrator: While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped then, and a voice from the cloud said
Voice of the Father: This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!
Narrator: When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, he
said
Jesus: Get up, don’t be afraid.
Narrator: When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
What stands out to you about each voice?
Did you hear :
o
o
o
o
o
compassion
authority
tenderness
power
something else?
What would it be like to be there and hear the voice of the Father?
According to an NIV commentary the sound of the Father’s voice coming from a cloud was an “experience of the
awesome reality of God’s presence” and “commonly produced fear in the people of the Old Testament.”
Do you think you would react like the disciples and people of the Old Testament and fall facedown terrified?
How does Jesus respond to their terror?
What does Jesus’ response tell you about His presence in our weakness?
Hebrews 4:15-16 reads, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have
one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
What connection do you see between these verses from Hebrews and Jesus’ response to the disciples and to us in
our weakness?
Section IV: Living it Out
This section is where we want to get personal. What does God wants us to become or
do as a result of the message and readings for this week.
What stood out to you from the message and readings that deepens your understanding of the depths of Jesus
love for you?
In what ways is Jesus calling you to trust the Father with your identity and your weaknesses?
How might that affect your ability to love recklessly?
Use the following words of a song we sang on Sunday (or play the song from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StW6ZKHRCFo ) as a prayer affirming your redemption and commitment to Jesus:
Savior, I come. Quiet my soul. Remember
Redemption's hill, where Your blood was spilled for my ransom.
Everything I once held dear, I count it all as loss.
Lead me to the cross where Your love poured out.
Bring me to my knees Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself, I belong to you Oh, lead me... Lead me to the cross
You were as I, tempted and tried, human.
The Word became flesh, bore my sin in death. Now You're risen. Everything I once held dear, I count it all as loss.
Lead me to the cross where Your love poured out.
Bring me to my knees Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself, I belong to you Oh, lead me... Lead me
To Your heart. To Your heart. Lead me to Your heart.
Lead me to the cross where Your love poured out.
Bring me to my knees Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself, I belong to you Oh, lead me... Lead me to the cross
(From Hillsong United
References:
Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved, 1992, New York; Crossroad Publishing.
Michael J.Wilkins, The NIV Application Commentary; Matthew, 2004, Grand Rapids; Zondervan.