June 13, 2015
This week’s study is based on theparable of….
“The Evil Farmers”
Read Matthew 21:33-46.
Who did Jesus tell the story to and why and who else was there listening?
Last week we studied the parable of ‘The Two Sons’ and following on this week ‘The Evil Farmers’. Why do you think Jesus told a second parable to the same people?
Write down the characters of the parable of the ‘The Evil Farmers’ and who they represent.
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The religious leaders answered Jesus question right in Matthew 21:41 but when they realized Jesus was talking about them what was their response?
Why do you think they felt so strongly against Jesus in the first place that ‘….They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”
Consider their position in the community. Remember Daniel’s comments on Sunday….
‘The builders or tenants, or elders and priests, were very self-focused. They wanted the people to be devoted to them. They wanted to judge and decide what was right and what was wrong. They wanted to be the authority on how to receive righteousness. And they wanted to tell the people who the Messiah was; someone couldn’t appear and announce himself without their approval or sanctioning. In this way they rejected the stone….’
Read and discuss in your group the following….
· What did Jesus say they were in Matthew 15:14? Read Matthew 23:1-38 for further insight into what they were like.
· What was their greatest blindness and who was back behind this? Look at 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 and John 8:42-47.
· Read James 4:1-10. What were they not prepared to do and their big downfall?
· As a result what did Jesus say would happen? Matthew 21:43.
Can you relate to the above in any way? Is there any area mentioned you need to confess to God and turn from?
God Is Looking For Fruit.
Read again Matthew 21:43. Who is the nation Jesus is referring to? Read also 1Peter 2:4-10.
Read and discuss in your group Daniel’s conclusion from Sunday’s message as to how God can enables you to be fruitful….
‘But how is it that God want us to be fruitful? Through His Spirit he has given us gifts, so that we can be effective in using them as part of His body. And there is also Spiritual fruit that is produced in us to make us more like Christ, like found in Galatians 5:22-23.
God’s will is that we will produce fruit. If we remain in him, if we rely on His wisdom, and follow His instructions in His word, we will produce fruit for Him.’
Consider the following….
· Are you doing these things?
· Is there fruit showing in your life for God? How do you know?
· Do you know what your spiritual gift(s) is and are you using it to build up the body of Christ? If you don’t how can you find out?