The Cost of Not Following Jesus, Part 3
The kingdom of God is His universal sovereign rule over all time and all situations in all of history. A cost of not following Jesus is being outside of His kingdom and missing out on its eternal benefits.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing about this message that you found especially helpful, challenging, or thought-provoking?
- Pastor Mike defined the kingdom of God as His “universal sovereign rule over all time and all situations in all of history.” What does that mean? How do you see that statement at work in Scripture and in the world around you?
- Why does the Bible tell followers of Christ that they are “in the kingdom,” yet Jesus also teaches us to pray “Your kingdom come”?
- Read and discuss Matthew 6:25-34. What does it look like to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”? What are “these things” that are given when you do?
- As you go about your daily life, do you acknowledge that you dwell in a kingdom filled with the wisdom, power, and glory of the king of Kings? Or do you tend to view your citizenship in God’s kingdom merely as an intellectual truth?
- How have you seen God’s kingdom at work as you interact with your neighbors, friends, or co-workers?
- What keeps you from living a kingdom-focused life?
- Spend time in prayer asking the Lord to help you rely fully upon His strength, mercy, and providence, and that He would use you as salt and light as you take His kingdom into the world.