Category: Campobello Community Church

July 12 – Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

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Discuss It – Matthew 13:1-9

  1. Regarding house plants: Do you
    • Talk and sing to them?
    • Forget about them until the leaves fall?
    • Hope no one gives you one?
  2. When was the last time you “tuned out” a speaker?
  3. What are some spiritual cliches or religious catch-phrases that people often use?
  4. What misconceptions do non-Christians have about Christianity?
  5. Into what various places did the seed fall? (13:4–5)
  6. What is the meaning of each?
  7. Dan talked about these points in the parable…
    • Universality: the seed went onto every place, for everyone.
    • Mystery: Jesus was not what we expected, the seed disappears to do its thing.
    • Actuality: the sower just lets the seed go all over the place, the seed was never the problem.
    • Hostility/Response: birds, sun, thorns, and the cross. The Word matters, not the response to it.
  8. Which soil are you these days?
  9. Which seed ended up sprouting and bearing fruit? Why? (13:8)
  10. To whom did Jesus direct His story about the four soils? (13:9)

Discuss It – Matthew 13:18-23

  1. Whom did Jesus liken to seed along the path? Why? (13:19)
  2. According to Christ, who is like the seed sown on rocky soil? Why? (13:20–21)
  3. What kind of people were compared to seed sown among the thorns? Why? (13:22)
  4. Of whom is the fruitful seed a picture? How? (13:23)
  5. Why do so many people today misunderstand the gospel?
  6. What deep roots help a believer to not fall away?
  7. What thorns, rocks, and worries of the day tend to choke your faith?
  8. What circumstances of life tend to scorch your faith?

Apply It

  1. What one action could you do this week to improve the way you listen to God’s Word?
  2. How could you become a more effective sower of God’s Word over the next month?
  3. How can you show gratitude to God today for opening your eyes to the truth of the gospel?
  4. Our response is fruit. What are you bearing these days?
  5. What or who nurtures your spiritual growth?
  6. The kingdom is not to earn, but to welcome. How do you see and hear Jesus working in the world today?

July 5 – Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

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1. Human hearts often resist God’s message through unreasonable expectations and selective criticism

Jesus compares “this generation” to petulant children in the marketplace who refuse to engage with either joyful or sorrowful invitations. They want to dictate the terms—demanding the messenger conform to their preferred style or mood—rather than responding to the truth being offered.

  1. Where do you find the elevation of personal preferences in church?
  2. Why do we generally feel that our preferred worship style (of music, preaching, or instrumentation) is the the right or proper way to worship?
  3. How do you tend to respond to the service when there is something that was not on your preferred list?
  4. When have you criticized God’s servants with your personal preferences (John and Jesus were totally different in style, personality, and purpose)?
  5. Are you prepared to examine your heart on hidden prejudices or stubbornness?

2. Rejection of God’s messengers often stems from excuses rather than genuine discernment

The critics found fault with both John (too strict, demon-possessed) and Jesus (too loose, a glutton, and friend of sinners). No matter the approach—ascetic or incarnational—the response was rejection. This highlights how unbelief or spiritual resistance can be irrational and self-justifying; people latch onto superficial traits to avoid the convicting message.

  1. We all have known people who have rejected the gospel. How might you explain their resistance?
  2. Does the cost of discipleship ever play a role in people’s unbelief?
  3. When have you experienced a varying presentation of the gospel (from a prophetic warning to a gracious invitation)? How did each go?
  4. How do you respond to criticism of the gospel or involvement in a local congregation?
  5. How can we stay faithful to the truth in the midst of such criticism, or even persecution?

3. God’s wisdom is ultimately vindicated by its fruits, not popular opinion

The passage closes with the assurance: “Wisdom is proved right by her deeds” (or “vindicated by her children” in some translations). Despite the complaints, John’s ministry prepared hearts for repentance, and Jesus’ ministry brought salvation, healing, and inclusion of the outcasts. Time and transformed lives reveal the truth.

  1. How important are the deeds of Christians, rather than just having sound theology?
  2. What are some of the works you have done to help prepare the way for someone to one day find Christ (planting seeds)?
  3. How does character and integrity help us advance the gospel of Jesus?
  4. In what ways do you need a bigger picture of God (his ways and his works)?
  5. How can the church help people to prioritize obedience and faithfulness in everyday life?

Continued: Matthew 11:25-30

1. God Reveals Himself to the Humble, Not the Self-Sufficient (Matthew 11:25)

  1. In what way does truth come to us through openness, wonder, and openness (children) rather than through intellectual pride, worldly wisdom, or self-reliance (religious leaders)?
  2. When we know too much, how does that limit our spiritual growth?

2. Intimate Knowledge of God Comes Only Through Jesus (Matthew 11:27)

  1. How is your understanding of the trinity, the relationship between Jesus (the Son) and God (the Father)?
  2. In what ways has Jesus revealed the Father to us?
  3. Is your foundation in a relationship with Jesus or in the religious system the church has created?

3. True Rest Is Found in Surrendering to Christ’s Gentle Yoke (Matthew 11:28-30)

  1. The rest Jesus provides in not by removing our responsibility but inviting us into partnership. In what ways does your life walk in step with Jesus? At what times do you resist his leadership and guidance?
  2. Jesus says his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Has that been your experience? For me, it’s hard to follow Christ (perfection is a lofty expectation, and failure is all too common). What does Jesus mean by this statement?

June 28 – Matthew 10:40-42

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Labor for the Kingdom Does Not Go Unnoticed by the Father

Discuss It – Matthew 10:40-42

This concludes Jesus’ instructions as He sends out the Twelve on mission. It shifts from warnings about rejection and persecution to encouragement about reception and reward.

1. Welcoming Jesus’ messengers equals welcoming Jesus and the Father…

  1. In what way do followers of Jesus carry the same authority as Jesus himself?
  2. How is hospitality an important part of the Christian church and community?
  3. In what way are followers of Jesus bringing the presence of Christ into a relationship?

2. Reception of Jesus’ messengers is tied to recognizing the “name” or authority of the person…

  1. In what way does your recognition as a “prophet,” “righteous person,” or “disciple” emphasize welcoming people because of their God-given role or identity, not just general kindness?
  2. How does this act of recognition align the host with the mission and message of the kingdom?

3. Even the smallest acts of kindness are noticed and rewarded by God…

  1. How might you literally or figuratively give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name?
  2. How comforting is it to know that God sees and remembers even our minor sacrifices?
  3. Is it possible to serve God faithfully without thinking about this principle of corresponding rewards?
  4. How generous are you when it comes to kingdom work and support?

4. Disciples are identified with Christ in both mission and vulnerability…

  1. How does this passage affirm the dignity and importance of the disciple of Christ?
  2. When was a time where you felt insignificant during the hardships you have faced?
  3. In what way is this true? “How people treat you reveals their response to God.”

Overall, these verses offer great encouragement to those in ministry or mission work: your labor is not invisible to God, and those who support you are partnering with God Himself.

Apply It

  1. In what specific situations do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit to give you the right words to say?
  2. What promises from this chapter can you meditate on this week to make you a more effective minister for Christ?
  3. What are three or four concrete ways you can be more bold in standing up for Jesus this week?

June 21 – Matthew 10:24-39

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The Meaning of Discipleship

Discuss It – Matthew 10:24-39

  1. What activity or responsibility absolutely terrifies you?
  2. What comes to your mind when you hear the word, discipleship?
  3. Why did Jesus predict trouble for the disciples? (10:24–25)
  4. What is the point of Jesus giving them this preparation speech? What problems would they (and future disciples) face?
  5. What kinds of things did Jesus say to bolster His disciples’ courage? (10:26–31)
  6. Jesus tells them to not fear those who oppose Christ, but who ARE they to fear? (10:28)
  7. How comforting is it to know that God knows all the intimate details about your life? (10:30)
  8. Why did Christ tell His disciples that it was important for them to take a stand for Him? (10:32–33)
  9. What surprising comments did Jesus make about the goal of His ministry? (10:34–36) How does this compare to Isaiah 9:6, John 14:27, John 16:33, Romans 5:1, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 4:7?
  10. What did Jesus mean by coming to turn family members against one another? (10:35-36)
  11. What radical requirements did Jesus make of those who would follow Him? (10:37–38)
  12. What does it mean to take up your cross and follow? (10:38)
  13. What did Jesus promise those who obeyed Him fully? (10:39)

Apply It

  1. Where specifically do you think Jesus wants you to minister in his name?
  2. What things act as security blankets in your life and keep you from stepping out in faith?
  3. Under what conditions do you find it most difficult to talk about your faith?
  4. How do you react when someone makes jokes about your faith or when people treat you harshly?
  5. How has Jesus created division in your family?
  6. How has Jesus brought healing to your family?
  7. In what ways have you been putting human relationships before your relationship with Jesus?
  8. What do you think it means to lose your life for Jesus’ sake?
  9. What warning or encouragement do you need to hear from Jesus today?
  10. What in the paradox of Matthew 10:39 is most meaningful to you?
  11. How can you lose yourself for Jesus this week?
  12. In what way do you lose your life when you begin to follow Jesus?

June 14 – Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1-8

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The Workers are Few and Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Discuss It – Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1-8

  1. In what situations do you tend to feel compassion?
  2. What missionaries do you know personally?
  3. What do you pray about on a regular basis?
  4. What was the main message that Jesus was preaching? (9:35)
  5. What did Jesus end up doing in this place? (9:36) What took him away from preaching?
  6. Does it seem like the harvest is plentiful these days? (9:37)
  7. What activity or responsibility absolutely terrifies you?
  8. Why do you think certain people are antagonistic to the gospel?
  9. How do we explain Jesus telling them not to go to the Gentiles, but to the lost sheep of Israel?

Apply It

  1. For what non-Christians do you feel compassion?
  2. How would you describe the spiritual and moral state of the majority of the people in our society?
  3. Who are the non-Christians in your circles of influence?
  4. What can you do to help people see their need for Christ?
  5. What skills, gifts, abilities, or talents can you use to help others come to Christ?
  6. What barriers stand in the way of people you know listening to the gospel?
  7. What can you do to overcome your friends’ and neighbors’ objections or reservations about following Jesus?
  8. Where specifically do you think Jesus wants you to minister?
  9. What things act as security blankets in your life and keep you from stepping out in faith?
  10. How do you react when someone makes jokes about your faith or when people treat you harshly?
  11. What warnings or encouragements do you need to hear from Jesus in order to go out and represent him?
  12. What might Jesus be asking you to give up (or not take with you) to show compassion to others, or be evangelistic?

June 7 – Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

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The Calling of Matthew, a Dead Girl, and a Sick Woman

Discuss It – Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

  1. What past misdeeds would disqualify someone from your job? Elected office? The Supreme Court? The ministry?
  2. What is surprising about Jesus’ choice of Matthew?
  3. What did Jesus tell Matthew to do? How did Matthew respond to Jesus’ statement? (9:9)
  4. Where did Jesus and Matthew go? Why? (9:10)
  5. Who reported the Pharisees’ comments to Jesus and what was his response to the Pharisees? (9:12)
  6. What did Jesus tell His listeners they needed to learn? (9:13)
  7. Which is harder: to show mercy or to sacrifice something?
  8. What did Jesus say He had come to earth to do? (9:13)
  9. What feelings prompted the ruler to approach Jesus? (9:18) How about the sick woman?
  10. What did the ruler and the sick woman have in common?
  11. How is Matthew’s story connected to these two people? (9:12, 18, 20, 22)

Apply It

  1. What, in your opinion, are some respectable jobs, and what are some questionable careers for believers to pursue?
  2. How do you think you might react if several gang members or street people attended our church this Sunday?
  3. What do you think people would say if you associated with a “wild crowd” in order to be a witness for Christ?
  4. Why should we not follow this example of Christ if we are weak in our faith?
  5. What dangers do we face when we befriend non-Christians?
  6. What will happen if we never reach out to those outside the church?
  7. What do you think about people who claim to have died and then come back to life?
  8. In what area of your life is it most difficult to have faith?
  9. What personal encouragement and comfort do you find in Christ’s ability to heal the sick and raise the dead?
  10. How is your faith challenged by the people in this story?
  11. What are some ways we “laugh at Jesus” in our beliefs and behavior?
  12. How do you think a twelve-year illness would affect your faith in God?
  13. What does this passage teach you about Jesus’ sensitivity to the needs of a lonely, hurting person?
  14. What impossible situation are you facing? What gives you hope?

May 31 – Matthew 28:16-20

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The Great Commission

Discuss It – Matthew 28:16-20

  1. Do you sense this gathering on the mountaintop is only with the eleven disciples or a larger crowd that included the eleven? (28:16)
  2. Upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, how did they respond? (28:17)
  3. If it was only a gathering of the eleven disciples, who were these doubters? (28:17) Compare this passage to John 20:27 where Jesus removes all doubt from Thomas and the others present.
  4. How important is the phrase, “all authority… has been given to me,” to be included in the Great Commission? (28:18)
  5. “All authority” over what? Over whom? How do you understand God’s sovereignty vs. human free-will?
  6. What is the main command in the first line of the Great Commission? (28:19-20) Hint: it’s not going, baptizing, or teaching. Those are participles supporting the main command).
  7. What does it mean to “make disciples”? (28:19)
  8. How important is the promise of Jesus’ presence until the end? (28:20)

Apply It

  1. What attitude do the people around you (family, coworkers, neighbors) have toward the resurrection of Jesus? (Belief? Unbelief? Mockery? Doubt? Curiosity?)
  2. What is your attitude toward the resurrection?
  3. What difference does the resurrection make in your everyday life? Does Paul help us in our understanding? (1 Corinthians 15:13-14)
  4. Is the Great Commission for all disciples (even us today) or for just the eleven, or maybe a special few called to missionary work?
  5. How can the “all authority” phrase help us carry out the Great Commission?
  6. How can you carry out the Great Commission in your life?
  7. How are you involved in Making disciples? (Teaching? Mentoring?)
  8. How comforting is it to know that you are never alone; that Jesus is always with us?
  9. What teaching of Jesus do you need to obey more completely?

May 24 – John 7:37-39

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Rivers of Living Water

Discuss It – John 7:37-39

  1. Every day at the feast, water would be poured out as a symbol of thanks for God’s provision. In this context, what does this statement by Jesus mean? (7:37-38)
  2. In what way is the Spirit’s work like water (compare to John 14:13-14)
  3. What invitation did Jesus offer on the last day of the Feast? (7:37)
  4. What result did Jesus promise for those who believed in Him? (7:38)
  5. Why hadn’t the Spirit been given yet? (7:39)
  6. How is the Holy Spirit received?
  7. What is the relationship between your believing the promises of Jesus and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit?
  8. Another passage for today is 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, so how does exercising your spiritual gift act like refreshing water to those around you?
  9. From your understanding of spiritual gifts, what is your top gift/gifts? (Make sure to include the gifts mentioned in Romans 12:3-10, too).
  10. How do you use your spiritual gift to bring glory to Jesus?

Apply It

  1. What evidence can you provide that the Holy Spirit is present in your life?
  2. How is his presence like flowing water?
  3. When do you feel most refreshed in your relationship with Christ?
  4. How has Jesus satisfied your thirsts and longings in life?
  5. In what way do we attempt to satisfy our thirsts and longings in life outside of Christ?
  6. Why is this a constant battle?

May 17 – John 17:1-11

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Jesus Praying for His Disciples – John 17:1-11

Discuss It

  1. What going-away gift have you received or given that still warms your heart or brings a smile?
  2. When are people most likely to turn to God in prayer?
  3. How would you describe “eternal life” to someone? (17:3) How can we experience this eternal life of which Jesus speaks?
  4. At this point, what work did Jesus finish? (17:4)
  5. What is your understanding of the preexistence of Jesus (prior to the incarnation or even creation) (17:5) How does this affect the way you live?
  6. In what way have the disciples kept God’s word? (17:6)
  7. What is it that these disciples know? (17:7-8)
  8. What words did the Father give the Son that he passed on to the disciples? (17:8)
  9. How convinced or confident are you in the spiritual or biblical truth you have come to know? (17:8)
  10. As Jesus is praying for his disciples, how confident are you that he is also praying for us today? (17:9) See also John 17:11, 20-21.
  11. How is Jesus glorified in the disciples? (17:10)
  12. Why is Jesus praying that they “be one”? (17:11) What does that really mean?
  13. How are these disciples going to be protected? (17:11)

Apply It

  1. What does it mean to know God? (Beware of demonic faith, James 2:19).
  2. What is the best reason you have heard for NOT believing in Jesus as Savior?
  3. This week, whom have you glorified by the way you live? How so?
  4. How do you intentionally bring glory to God?
  5. When was a time, and from what, where you were protected by God?
  6. How important is unity in the church or with other believers? How difficult is this when there is so much doctrinal error our there?
  7. How are your prayers for others like or unlike this prayer of Jesus?
  8. What is your take-away from this passage?

May 10 – John 14:15-21

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Love, Obedience, and the Spirit – John 14:15-21

Discuss It

  1. Who was the best counselor you’ve ever had? What made that person so special?
  2. What people, things, or experiences in life bring you comfort and peace of mind?
  3. How do the people you love (whether close friends, spouse, or family members) know that you love them?
  4. In what way is “love” more a verb than it is a noun?
  5. How are the disciples to show love to one another? (John 13:34) To Jesus (14:15)
  6. Why is this idea repeated four times in this chapter? (14:15, 21, 23-24)
  7. What did Jesus say He would ask God to give His disciples? (14:16)
  8. What do we learn about the Holy Spirit? (14:15-16)
  9. How does the Spirit help a follower of Jesus? (14:16) Who has a story to tell?
  10. Why could the world not accept the Spirit of Truth? (14:17)
  11. What did Jesus promise the disciples? (14:18) Why is this important?
  12. Why did Jesus tell His disciples that they would live? (14:19)
  13. How has Jesus shown himself to you in the past? (14:21)

Apply It

  1. How “at home” are you with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit in your life? Are they more like owners or temporary guests?
  2. How can we show Jesus that we love Him?
  3. What are the commands of Jesus that we should obey? (Those imperative statements found in the gospels).
  4. What prevents you from being “all-in” once he reveals something to you?
  5. How has the Holy Spirit been revealed in your life?
  6. How are we taught by the Holy Spirit?
  7. How does the Bible and prayer fit into our spiritual development?
  8. When was a time you were comforted by the Holy Spirit?
  9. What is the peace that Jesus has given us? Why is peace important in our lives?
  10. On a scale from 1 (smooth sailing) to 10 (furious storm), what is your peace quotient?
  11. Where do you need the peace of Jesus right now?
  12. How can we experience the peace Jesus has promised us? Are you more hopeful or skeptical about the peace of Jesus?
  13. When we talk about God’s unconditional love, why does a passage like this seem so conditional? (Obedience = Love).