Sermon Discussion Questions | Garden Ridge Church

Transformation--Lesson 1--Ready for Change?--Matthew 13

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does it take so much work to produce fruit in a garden? What kind of lessons should

we learn from the work it takes, especially for our spiritual growth?

2. How much trouble do you have seeing "earth crammed with heaven"? How do we better

see "every bush afire with the presence of God"?

3. Jesus makes it clear that there are two things working against the production of fruit for the

Kingdom—the enemy, Satan, and ourselves. Which do you have more trouble with?

Which one do you take more for granted and why?

4. Can you relate to the story in Matthew 13:53-58 where the people move from being

astonished at Jesus to suspicious to taking offense and then unbelief? How has this been

a personal struggle or how have you seen this in trying to share Jesus with those who do

not know Him?

5. What kind of practices would help you to better receive the words of God immediately,

deeply, and exclusively? How would doing this assist you in transformation and

sanctification?

Discussion Questions:

1. When is the last time you cleaned out the closets of your life? Are there some things that

need to be discarded in your life?

2. What kinds of memorials and/or monuments do you have in your life? How do these help

you to stay secure and focused on your walk with God?

3. How does self-control work? How have you witnessed both your role and God’s role as

you deal with areas that require self-control?

4. Why does the closet need to be cleaned out so often? Why did God create us in a way

that requires routine closet cleaning?

5. How have you seen looking back help in moving forward? When has constantly looking

back hindered moving forward? How do you balance the two?

Discussion Questions:

1. What does Christmas mean to you? How often do you reflect upon the gift provided for us?

2. Why is it important that Jesus was both God and man? How does He balance these two

natures? How do you see these two natures working in you?

3. In what ways are we still looking for a Messiah who focuses upon the physical and

temporary things of this world? Why do we fall into thinking this way, even when we know

the amazing gift we have received in Jesus?

4. How have you seen sin fracture and divide? How have you experienced healing, especially

through victory over sin and reconciliation in what has been divided?

5. Why is it important that Jesus came as a baby? Why is it even more important that He did

not stay that way and is now at the right hand of the Father?