Matthew 16:21-28

Executive Director Charlie Painter Jesus has confirmed to the disciples that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, He will start to reveal His plan to them, including what He must do, and what they (and we) must do to follow Him.

I – The greatest _____________________. (21-23) 

II – The ultimate _____________________. (24-26) 

III – The worthy _____________________. (27-28) 

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself… 

1. “Do I ____________________ the plan?” 

2. “Am I willing to ________________ the plan?” 

3. “Do I believe in the ___________ of the plan?” 

NEXT WEEK: “THE Mountaintop Experience” Matthew 17:1-13

Charlie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) 

©2001 LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS…

‘Getting to know you…’

What is your favorite “twist” or “reveal” in a heist or mystery story (ask permission from your group before giving spoilers). When you went back, how obvious was the reveal once you knew what to look for?

Read Matthew 16:21-28 (Questions based on the English Standard Version© (ESV) Bible, 2001) Questions…

1. Read verses 21-23. What do you think of Peter’s rebuke of Jesus? Do you think he had the “right” intentions? Why do you think Jesus’ response needed to be so strong?

2. Read verses 24-26. This passage is very literal for believers in those parts of the world that persecutes Christians. How is this passage true to us, when we have a very low chance of actually losing our lives for Christ? How good are we at actually living this out? 

3. Read verses 27-28. Jesus accused the Pharisees and Saddusees of not seeing the signs of the times. The disciples could not accept or understand Jesus even when he told them plainly what would happen. Here, Jesus is telling us of His second coming. Do you understand the plan of His second coming? Are you living as if you believe it?

GROW… As believers, we can accept what Jesus said, but often fall short on understanding what it means. Share what resources you use to “dig deeper” into God’s Word, and “not leaning on your own understanding.”

GO… When Jesus returns, He will repay each of us according to what we have done. If Jesus were to come today, what would He repay you for? If that question scares or convicts you, what can you get started on right now? Pray for each other as you go to Your Worlds this week.

Matthew 16: 13-20

Pastor Willie Behrends

And now Jesus gets personal. After living with His disciples, teaching them, and performing miracles in front of them, Jesus now asks them, (and us!) the ultimate questions!

Today’s ‘Exam’ has three parts…

I – The most ________________________ question! (13-14)

II – The most ______________________ decision! (15-16)

II – How to get ___________________ credit! (17-20)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “How do others _______________________ me?”

2. “What’s my ______________________ to Jesus?”

3. “Do I speak with __________________________?”

NEXT WEEK: What’s it take to Follow Jesus? Matthew 16: 21-28

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS…

‘Getting to know you…’

If we took a poll of some of your good friends when you were growing up, how would they describe you? Would it be an accurate description? Explain.

Read Matthew 16:13-20 (Questions based on the English Standard Version© (ESV) Bible, 2001)

Matthew 15:21-39

Pastor Willie Behrends

In today’s passage we see that the love of Jesus has no limits. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’ve done, Jesus' compassion reaches out to you.

Today we see three aspects of Christ’s love…

I – He loves when it’s not _________________________! (21-28)

II – He loves without __________________ boundaries! (29-31)

III – He loves, against all _______________! (32-39)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Are there people I ____________ _________________?”

2. “Am I _________________________ to the Lord?”

3. “Do I _________________________ what He’s done?”

NEXT WEEK: Seeking a Sign That Won’t Come! Matthew 16: 1-12

Matthew 15:21-39

Pastor Willie Behrends

In today’s passage we see that the love of Jesus has no limits. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’ve done, Jesus' compassion reaches out to you.

Today we see three aspects of Christ’s love…

I – He loves when it’s not _________________________! (21-28)

II – He loves without __________________ boundaries! (29-31)

III – He loves, against all _______________! (32-39)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Are there people I ____________ _________________?”

2. “Am I _________________________ to the Lord?”

3. “Do I _________________________ what He’s done?”

NEXT WEEK: Seeking a Sign That Won’t Come! Matthew 16: 1-12

Matthew 15 : 1 - 20

Pastor Willie Behrends

There’s nothing wrong with traditions, UNLESS they take the place of God's Word! Today, Jesus confronts the Pharisees for their traditions at the expense of true obedience to God!

Let’s not be like the Religious Leaders, and…

I – Their dangerous empty ________________________! (1-6)

II – Their problems with _______ - ________________! (7-9)

III – Their misunderstanding of __________________! (10-20)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Do I follow the _____________ above all?”

2. “Is my ______________________ genuine?”

3. “What comes _____________ of my heart?”

NEXT WEEK: Drawing Out Faith! Matthew 15:21-3

Matthew 14 : 22-36

Pastor Willie Behrends

When visibility is low pilots need to employ Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). In the same way, when we’re tempted to trust in our feelings, we need to rely on our ‘Instrument’: God’s Word!

Today, we see just how that’s done…

I – Trust in the ____________________ of Jesus! (22-27)

II – Step out in _____________ not ____________! (28-31)

III – Recognize the ___________________ of Jesus! (32-36)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “What do I put my _________________ in?”

2. “What do I ___________________ upon?”

3. “Do I _________________________ who Jesus is?”

NEXT WEEK: Confronting Hypocrisy Head-on! Matthew 15 : 1-2

Matthew 14:1-12

Pastor Willie Behrends Life is filled with choices, and those choices then lead to consequences: blessings, or regrets! In our passage today King Herod is an example of how NOT to choose!

Today we see three ways to NOT live our lives…

I – Don’t live by ___________, but by _____________! (1-5)

II – Don’t pursue ____________, but ______-_________! (6-8)

III – Don’t let __________ stop your _________________! (9-12) 

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself… 
1. “What (who) do I ____________ today?” 
2. “How important is ____________________ to me?” 3. 
“What impact is ______________ having on me?” 
NEXT WEEK: The Shepherd provides for His sheep! Matthew 14:13-21 

Willie

Matthew 13 : 44 - 58

Pastor Willie Behrends

We constantly make choices in life between what is valuable and what isn’t. Whether it’s our career, relationships, time or possessions, we tend to pursue what we believe is “worth it!”

Today, Jesus illustrates three truths concerning God’s Gift …

I –It’s a ___________________ that’s worth seeking! (44-46)

II –There’s a ______________________ coming! (47-52)

III –Some will__________________ the gift! (53-58)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1.“Am I ______________________ after Jesus?”

2. “What kind of ________________ am I?”

3.“Can Jesus _______________ in my life?”

NEXT WEEK: Herod demonstrates how NOT to live your life!Matthew 14 : 1 - 12

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

Believers, & Make Believers!

Matthew 13 : 24-43

Pastor Willie Behrends

Today Jesus uses some familiar stories to reveal some eternal truths. It’s a ‘seedy’ message that teaches us to trust God's plan, even when we’re tempted to doubt!

In this passage, Jesus illustrates three truths…

I – The __________________________ is real! (24-30)

II – The _____________________ of God is also real! (31-35)

III – God ________________ in the end! (36-43)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “How do I handle ___________________________?”

2. “Am I ___________________ with God and myself?”

3. “Whose ________________ am I?”

NEXT WEEK: The Value of The Kingdom! Matthew 13