Series: Be Still
Title: Expectant Stillness
Passage: Matthew 25:14-30
Speaker: Steve Howell (Senior Minister)
Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.
Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose
- When you are waiting for someone, what is your favorite way to pass the time? Would you count that time as wasted or productive? Why?
Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters
Think back through some of the Bible characters and stories you know. While waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled, how did they wait well? Share a specific example.
Read the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. Which servant do you most identify with? Why?
What kind of work might the servants have done to increase their return on investment with their talents (aka money)? Was there only one way to approach the task, or were there multiple good options? How can we apply that idea to the way we wait for God? Should waiting well look the same for everyone?
What would be the spiritual equivalent of the “one talent” servant’s actions? List three attitudes or actions that would waste our waiting.
Do you view Jesus’ return as imminent or far off? How does that impact the urgency of your activity while waiting? What (if anything) would change if you knew he would return tomorrow?
As a church, why is it important to set directions and goals while we wait for Jesus’ return? What type of goals are most helpful to prepare us for that day?
In what ways is Tonganoxie Christian Church succeeding at those goals? In what ways do we need to improve? How do your individual contributions (time, talent, treasure) impact our success as we wait on God?
Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God
- Pray for our church leaders as they work on a strategic plan for the congregation. Ask for God’s guidance and protection, and ask that He would uncover any stumbling blocks that are stopping us from serving Him well.