Rooting Out the Rotten Apples
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February 22, 2004
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February 22 - Matthew 13:24-30
Open It
What kind of gardening have you done?
What is your least favorite type of yard work? Why?
Why do people dislike weeds?
Explore It
What did Jesus use to communicate his point? (13:24)
What was Jesus talking about in this passage? (13:24)
To what did Jesus compare his topic? (13:24)
In the Parable of the Weeds, what happened while the farmer slept? (13:25)
What appeared in the farmer's field besides the wheat he had planted? (13:26)
How did the owner's servants react when they found weeds in the field? (13:27)
How did the owner reply to his servants? (13:28)
What did the servants volunteer to do for the owner of the field? (13:28)
On what grounds did the owner turn down the servant's suggestion? (13:29)
What plan of action did the owner choose? (13:30)
Get It
How would you respond if you tried to get a Bible study going and a group of non-Christians, or even Christians showed up to give you a hard time?
What are some ways Christians blend in with Christians or non-Christians?
What do you think about Christians who try to isolate themselves completely from non-Christians?
What opportunities do you have by living among all different kinds of people?
In what ways does Satan try to mess up God's plan and your part in that plan?
What dangers lie in trying to label people as either "weeds" or "wheat" (non-Christians or Christians)?
Whose responsibility is it to label the weeds and deal with them?
Under what circumstances are you to live for Christ?
Apply It
In what ways do you need to alter your life-style (either attitude or action) today in order to be more like wheat and less like a weed?
Whom do you need to judge and label less today?
For what Christian or non-Christian coworkers, neighbors, and friends will you pray this week?
NOTES
Matthew 13:24ff: Jesus gives the meaning of this parable in Matthew 13:36-43. All the parables in this chapter teach us about God and his kingdom. They explain what the kingdom is really like as opposed to our expectations of it. The kingdom of heaven is a realm where God rules and where we share in his eternal life. We join that kingdom when we trust in Christ as Savior.
Matthew 13:30: The young weeds and the young blades of wheat look the same and can't be distinguished until they are grown and ready for harvest. Weeds (unbelievers) and wheat (believers) must live side by side in this world. God allows unbelievers to remain for a while, just as a farmer allows weeds to remain in his field so the surrounding wheat isn't uprooted with them. At the harvest, however, the weeds will be uprooted, gathered, and burned. God's harvest (judgment) of all people is coming. We are to make ourselves ready by making sure that our faith is sincere.
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February 22, 2004
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