Connect Groups play an important role in encouraging and exhorting us to listen to and obey Jesus in all of life. This week, be sure to leave enough time to talk in very practical ways about how your group not only listens for God’s voice in the Bible but also encourages and exhorts each other to obey that voice in daily life.
Welcome (15 minutes)
Where do you keep your prized possessions? What do you prize the most?
How do you react to being criticized? How do you want to react?
Word – Matthew 25:31-46 (40 minutes)
Read the passage aloud together.
1. List the six actions Jesus will use as the basis of judgement. What kinds of actions are these? For who are they done now and ultimately (verse 40)? How do they benefit the doer?
2. On what basis does Jesus say people are divided into sheep and goats?
3. How are those who don’t do the acts and those who do them similar? Different?
4. Who are the ‘least of these my bretheren’? What does Jesus say here about the value of people?
5. What does this passage teach about Christian responsibility?
6. When have you been hungry, thirsty, a stranger, in need of clothes, sick, or imprisoned, and someone reached out to you? How did that feel and impact you?
Worship (20 minutes)
As you come to a time of prayer, continue reflecting on this passage. As you pray where do you individually and as a group need conviction, repentance, and encouragement? Where do you need to praise God? Bring these reflections to your time of prayer.
Witness (15 minutes)
- In the six areas described in this passage, where do you find yourselves serving most naturally? In which areas do you have most trouble reaching out?
- Who are the ‘least of these my brethen’ that Jesus is calling you to serve?