CONNECT:  How can you build your life more upon Jesus who is the cornerstone?

WARM-UP  Question  

1. Have you ever had an offer put in front of you that you just could not refuse? 
2. How do worldly offers compare to what is on offer from God?

READ Matthew 22:1-7

1. What is the context of this particular parable? Can you summarise the previous two?
2. The parable suggests that those invited had already had an initial invitation. Why is the refusal to come so foolish and shameful? How is verse 4 an act of grace on the king’s behalf?
3. Verse 4 tells us that everything was ready for those invited, all they needed to do was turn up! How is that the same with the kingdom?
4. How did those invited react to the invitation? How did the Israelites react to the many prophets sent by God in the Old Testament?
5. What are some of the reactions to Jesus that you see on your frontlines? Are we ever at risk of reacting in these ways?
6. How did the King react to the rejection of his invitation? Why was this reaction entirely appropriate? 

READ Matthew 22:8-10

1. The invitation is radically changed in these verses. How so? How does this apply to the Kingdom?
2. Is there any such thing as being too bad, too poor, or too sinful to be invited into the Kingdom? Why or why not?
3. Think about the people on your frontlines. Are they invited? Who ultimately by? How could you extend this invitation?

READ Matthew 22:11-14

1. What was the main problem with the man in these verses? 
2. What is the problem with and danger of taking our invitation into the kingdom lightly and/or only paying God lip-service? How can we avoid this? How is this different from working our way into the Kingdom?
3. Whose job is it to choose people? What then is our main role and purpose here on earth before the Kingdom is brought in all its fullness?

APPLY: How can you rejoice in knowing of your invitation into the Kingdom this week?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Have you ever asked someone what their greatest hope is? Listen to learn how they see the world.

Listen:          

• AUDIO: “RSVP The Uncrashable Party” by Christopher Ash
• AUDIO: “A Royal Wedding Party” by Gavin Perkins
• AUDIO: “Many are Called but Few are Chosen” by William Taylor
• WATCH: “Engaging with a Secular World” by Michael Ramsden:

Read:          

• ARTICLE: “What Did Jesus Mean by ‘Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen’?”
  

Other Helpful Resources (For Series):  

• BOOK: “Matthew: A Great Light Dawns”
• ONLINE: Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew (Fuller)
• VIDEO: The Bible Project, Matthew Overview

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