JESUS’ AUTHORITY QUESTIONED (Matthew 21:23-27)
- What comes to mind when you hear the word “authority”?
- Why are people so resistant to authority?
- What were the only two possible answers the religious leaders could give? (21:25–26)
- What was the drawback to claiming that John’s ministry was divinely inspired? (21:25)
- What was the risk of claiming that John had no divine authority? (21:26)
- What do you think is behind many people’s “confrontations” with Jesus?
- Why do we feel threatened when someone challenges our beliefs or actions as Christians?
- How do we typically feel when our motives are exposed as selfish?
- How can religious traditions, rules, and habits sometimes blind us to the truth?
- What are some ways we outright defy what Jesus has said?
- In what ways do we try to rationalize our way out of submitting to Christ’s authority?
- How does pride keep us from acknowledging our mistakes?
- In what area of your life do you need to submit to Jesus’ authority today?
- How can you humble yourself before God today?
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS (Matthew 21:28-32)
- What is the best illustration you’ve ever seen of the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words”?
- In what ways can knowledge be dangerous?
- What question did Jesus ask His audience at the end of the parable? (21:31)
- Who did Jesus claim would be in heaven before the religious leaders in His audience? (21:31)
- How did the religious leaders respond to John’s message? (21:32)
- If the Jewish religious leaders were trained in the Law and familiar with the Old Testament, why did they oppose Jesus?
- Why doesn’t religious knowledge or information guarantee that we’ll be godly?
- If Jesus really is the King of kings and Lord of lords, why do we often drag our feet doing what He has told us to do?
- What does it mean to repent?
- If, as Jesus claimed, many “unrighteous” people will enter the kingdom of God, and many “righteous” people won’t, what does that say to you about God’s system of justice?
- When is it too late to do the right thing?
- What step can you take this week toward correcting a mistake?
- What command of Christ that you have been neglecting do you need to obey today?