LIFEGROUPS: WEEKLY DISCUSSION GUIDE
Week of November 22, 2020
SERIES: Kingdom First
Week #4: Seek the Kingdom First
Matthew 6:25-33
MESSAGE PREVIEW:
This week, Pastor Kade Pierce will teach the next message in our series, Kingdom First. We will take a look at what it means to “seek the Kingdom first” as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:33. There is a direct connection between what we pursue and what we prioritize. We will ask the question: what do the pursuits in our life reveal about our priorities? Are we truly seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness? Let’s see what the Scriptures have to teach us this weekend.
RECAP: THE KINGDOM DEFINED
- The Kingdom is the heavenly reign of Jesus here and now – living in recognition of His kingship – living on earth as it is in Heaven.
MAIN IDEA: WHAT WE PURSUE REVEALS WHAT WE PRIORITIZE.
HOW ARE WE PRONE TO MISPLACED PRIORITIES? (vs 19-24)
- To store up the wrong treasure. (vs. 19-21)
- The temptation of treasure is that it moves from being something we have to something that has us.
- To serve the wrong master. (vs. 24)
- Jesus leaves the audience with a question: Which master will you serve?
- To doubt God as a provider. (vs. 25-32)
- The people were most likely thinking: “If I serve God as my master, how will I get the food and clothes I need for my family? How will my needs be met?
- The real questions behind these thoughts are: Is God actually good? Will He actually provide? Is He really the better master?
HOW DO WE GET THE RIGHT PRIORITIES? (vs. 33)
- We seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN/LOOK LIKE TO SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS?
- To prioritize that Heaven holds the better treasure. (vs. 19-23)
- To prioritize God as the better master. (vs. 24)
- To prioritize God as being the better provider. (vs. 25-32)
OUR RESPONSE
- To seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is to prioritize God’s agenda in such a way that it affects EVERYTHING on your agenda.
- What we pursue reveals what we prioritize.
- What are you pursuing? What do the things you pursue reveal about what you prioritize?
ICEBREAKER QUESTIONS
Use the following questions/discussion to get the conversation started…
It’s Thanksgiving week! We’ve almost made it to the start of the holiday season!
While in America Thanksgiving is a single day set aside to give thanks, as followers of Jesus, we are called to live with thankfulness every day. While this seems easy enough, the busyness and craziness of life can, at times, cause us to forget this. As we begin our gathering this week, let’s take some time to be reminded of the importance of giving thanks and take a few minutes to think about and share what we have to be thankful for.
Read the following verses:
- Psalm 106:1 ESV “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
- Psalm 95:2 ESV” Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
- Colossians 3:16 ESV “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Have the group take a few minutes to reflect silently on what they have to be thankful for today. Even in a season of challenge, pandemic, and uncertainty, there is still much to be thankful for.
Have the group share aloud some of the things they are thankful for. Then take a few minutes to pray a prayer of thanksgiving on behalf of the group.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Ask and discuss the following questions.
Q: Do you agree with the statement: “what we pursue reveals what we prioritize?” Please explain your answer.
Q: How has this idea been reflected in your life? What are examples of things you pursued that ultimately revealed your priorities? (Note: these can be good examples or bad examples).
Q: Read Matthew 6:19-21. What are examples of the “treasures on earth” that Jesus is referring to here? What are examples of the “treasures in heaven” he refers to?
Q: Why is it so easy to put a priority on earthly treasure over heavenly treasure? How have you gotten this out of balance at times in life? What helped you to reprioritize these in the right way?
Q: Read Matthew 6:24. How do you see people trying to serve the two masters of God and money? Do you see it working? Why can you truly not serve both God and money as Jesus teaches?
Q: Read Matthew 6:33. How does seeking “first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” help us keep the right priorities in life?
Q: What are practical ways we can “seek first the Kingdom” in our daily lives? Why is this sometimes a challenge for us live out?
Q: What does it mean to prioritize God as the better master in our lives? What are practical ways we can do this?
Q: What is the danger or consequences of seeking something other than God’s Kingdom and righteousness first? How can we help those we have influence over better understand this?
Q: What is your personal “take-away” from this week’s message? What is one specific thing the Lord spoke to you this week?
Q: What is one specific “action step” you are going to take this week to apply what Jesus has taught you today?
WRAP-UP:
As you conclude your session this week, take a minute and ask your group to reflect on these questions:
Q: What are you currently pursuing in your day to day life? What is taking the most of your time, energy, thoughts, and dedication?
Q: What do the things you are pursuing reveal about what you are prioritizing?
Pray for yourself and the group…that each person would pursue the Kingdom first in their daily lives. Pray that God would give them the insight to know when their priorities are not in the right order. Ask God to give them the strength to repent when this happens and to turn to Him, seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness first.
SCRIPTURES FROM THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE:
- Matthew 6:25-33
UPCOMING MESSAGES:
11/22/20 Kingdom First: Seek the Kingdom First Matthew 6:33
11/29/20 Kingdom First: Kingdom Confidence Hebrews 12:28