MicroChurch - Week 17
MicroChurch Week 17
Context:
This week one of the main themes of the message was hearing and obeying God. Jonah had a relationship with God that was personal enough that he clearly heard from God. Hearing, though, is only half of the equation. Learning to hear the Lord is pivotal, but our response is just as important. Consider the parable of Jesus:
Matthew 21:28–31 (NKJV)
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
There is a definite correlation between hearing and following, here’s how Jesus explained it in John 10:
DISCOVER
John 10:1–11 (NKJV): 10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
If Jesus is the shepherd, what do we learn about the character and actions of Jesus from this passage?
If we are the sheep, what do we learn about being a follower of Jesus from this passage?
CONTEXT
We discussed that there are various ways that God speaks to His people: By His Word, Through His Spirit in prayer, (and also confirms) through the church, and through circumstances.
Discuss the ways that God seems to speak to you personally.
Do you find it hard to clearly hear God or to quickly and faithfully respond to God?
RESPOND
What are some practical steps that you can take to respond to what you have discussed today?
