Home Group Study Questions // January 18th
Sermon on the Mount Intro Session: Jesus Begins His Ministry
Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
[Read Matthew 4:17-25]
- What was Jesus’ preaching message to Israel? (v.17) What does repent mean?
- What does it mean, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”? How might we understand this today? Define the kingdom of heaven.
- How did Jesus call His first disciples? Who did He call to be His closest disciples? What do you notice about their lives? What does this say about Jesus and His Kingdom?
- What is his first address and command to Peter and Andrew? What did they do for a living? What does it mean to be fishers of men? How does this apply to us today?
- What was the response of Peter and Andrew? What does this say to us about what it means to follow Jesus? What was the response of James and John to Jesus’ calling? (v.22) What does this teach us?
- What was Jesus focused on at the beginning of His ministry? For what purpose did He do these things?
- How great was Jesus’ influence and popularity at the onset of His ministry? Why? What happens later on in His ministry? What does that tell us about His message and approach?
- How might this help us understand the context for the Sermon on the Mount recorded in the following Chapters 5 and 6?