Encounters: What Happens When We Meet Jesus? Pt 3

October 10th, 2021
Dr. Rick Stinton

CONNECT:
What was the high point and low point of your week? How can we pray for you?

DIVE IN:
1 ) Read Matthew 9:9-13.

9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.

10 Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Watch the video clip of Jesus’ call of Matthew: https://youtu.be/QVUJFjmftpw

What do you think about the film-maker’s presentation?

2 ) It’s easy to understand why tax collectors were despised and socially outcast in Jesus’ day. They worked for the Romans, who occupied Israel, and were known for corruption. Have you experienced being a social outcast? If so, how did you feel?

3 ) How do you think Matthew felt when Jesus called him to be a part of His group?

4 ) How do you think the other disciples felt about Matthew being in the group? Is there a lesson for us here?

5 ) Why do you think the Pharisees asked their question in verse 11?

6 ) What did Jesus mean when he answered in verse 12-13?

7 ) Who are the “tax collectors and sinners” in our lives? How do we show God’s mercy to them?

REACH OUT:
Have any situations or needs emerged that your group can reach out and care for?