IBC Richmond

Application Questions:
1. What is an Apostle? Why are Jesus’ 12 disciples called apostles in Mt 10:2? Is the Apostolic office active day? why or why not?
2. Why did Jesus send the Apostles only to Israel with the Kingdom message (Mt 10:5-7) and not to the Gentiles?
3. Have you suffered in the ways Jesus describes in Mt 10? How, why, or why not?
4. What are three reasons Jesus appeals to disciples to advance the Gospel through suffering?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1. Do you give money privately? What does it mean to give in secret? How do you personally apply the principle to financial giving in the church?
2, How did Jesus teach the disciples to pray? List 2-3 points helpful to your prayer life.
3. What is the spiritual principle supporting hiddenness/secrecy?
4. As a Christian, how do you “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Mt 6:33)?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1. Jesus called his disciples “the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13) and “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). What does Jesus mean by these metaphors? How can Christians live as salt and light in today’s world?
2. What are good works? What is the role of good works in the Christian life? How much emphasis should churches and small groups put on practicing good works?
3. Is there a difference between an oath and a promise? Please explain your answer. How should you let what you say be simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’?
4. Jesus commands, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). Who is your enemy? Who persecutes you? How can you obey Jesus in response to them?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1. What does it mean to be blessed by God? How does Jesus’ eight “blessed” statements reshape your view of being glad in God?
2. Of the four “blessed” statements directed towards God (Mt 5:3-6), which one is most unnatural to you? How might you cultivate it as a spiritual discipline?
3. Of the four “blessed” statements directed towards man (Mt 5:7-11), which one is most unnatural to you? How might you cultivate it as a spiritual discipline?
4. Define and describe the terms “revile,” “persecute,” and “utter all kinds of evil against you falsely” in Matthew 5:11. How are you demonstrating rejoicing in these rather than rejecting them?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1. What did Jesus mean by “I will make you fishers of men”? Is this a responsibility for all Christian or a unique calling for the 12 Disciples? How might this calling be fulfilled today?
2. What did Peter and Andrew, James and John leave to follow Jesus? Is sacrifice required of Christian disciples? If so, how is sacrifice evident in your life?
3. Jesus taught, proclaimed, and healed in each town. If churches modeled Jesus’ ministry, how should mercy ministries relate to evangelism?
4. How did Jesus handle fame? What dangers and advantages do famous Christians face? Is a celebrity pastor culture dangerous for the Church?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1. How was Jesus able to be tempted while being the Son of God? Does his temptation in the wilderness fulfill Hebrews 4:15, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”?
2. What are you tempted to do? When and how is temptation presented? How have you resisted? How have you been overcome?
3. What Scripture does Jesus quote in resisting temptation? What is the last verse of Scripture you memorized? How can Scripture keep you from sinning?
4. Read 1 John 2:16. Write a list of 3-5 temptations that hinder you for each of these categories. Pray for God’s help in resisting them spiritually.