6 Pastor David Forke July 7/8, 2018 Peace Lutheran Church Readings for Personal Reflection This Week :23-30 The Compassionate Vineyard Owner This is the context previous to ’ telling of the for this Matthew 20:1-16 week. How do you feel about Peter’s question in verse 27? How do you feel about Jesus’ response? What is Jesus point in verse 30?

No Preferential Treatment? Matthew 20:1-16? “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” How does having the context from chapter 19 help you with the (Matthew 19:30) meaning of this story? Why do you think Jesus responded with this story?

Luke 12:22-34 (esp. 31-32) What does it mean, that God has given us the kingdom? In what Who Are You in the Story? way do have you received it? How is that the kingdom is given and Matthew 19:27 yet we must seek it before other things?

Romans 3:9-26 & Romans 6:22-23 No matter how hard we work to please God, gain his favor, or earn something from Him our sin gets in the way. Do you believe this to be true for you? Have you confessed your need for God’s gift of Who is the Parable Really About? grace and life in Jesus? “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.” Colossians 3:1-4 (Matthew 20:1 ESV) What happens when a follower of Jesus sets mind and heart on the “things above” instead of the situations and concerns of • God is Compassionate earthly things? How does one do this while still attending to people and issues in a responsible and considerate way?

• God is Truly Generous

Personal Study and Group Discussion Guide July 8 – 14

Not “What Does God Owe Me?” My Story But, “What Has God Given Me?” When was a time someone in your family complained about Romans 6:23; Luke 12:32 someone else in the family having favored status or getting preferential treatment? Was the issue resolved? How?

Quick Review What is your initial response to the message? What inspired you? Watch this message at www.MyPeaceChurch.com. Click on Media. To receive a text copy Surprised you? Challenged you? Confused you? via e-mail, contact us at [email protected] or at 715-834-2486. 2 Digging Deeper Why is it difficult for us to accept the ways the Kingdom works The First Last and the Last First differently from the physical world we live in? Read Matthew 19:30 and 20:16. Take a quick run at stating what Jesus means by this in your own words. How are you feeling about In the message we discussed that God is compassionate, and that this statement? What is wise and pleasing about it? What is He is truly generous. How are these attributes illustrated in the difficult to deal with? parable?

Read the parable in Matthew 20:1-16 again. How does Jesus use Read John 3:16-20; Romans 3:9-26 & Romans 6:22-23. How do this story to explain the statements that sandwich the story? Do these verses bring God’s compassion and generosity to bear on you think it made sense to the disciples when he told it? Why or your own life? why not?

Why would the Master decide to pay the last workers first in the Favored Children of God! presence of the other workers? How would you respond if you What does it mean that we are all favored children of God? Does were one of the first workers? God treat us all exactly the same? Why or why not?

What other details about this parable are important to you in In what ways has God given you, His favored child, more than you understanding the message that Jesus is sharing? deserve or could expect?

Do you think of yourself as one of the first workers, last workers, Taking It Home or in the middle? Why? Does it make a difference as how you Spend time in reflection and prayer on God’s compassion and apply Jesus message to yourself? generous grace. How have you benefited from these qualities of God already? How will you benefit more fully when His reign and rule are complete?

The Kingdom and Its Master How are you tempted to compare your blessings and hardships to Read Matthew 20:1 again. Notice, it says “the Kingdom of Heaven what others have received from God? Take this to God and ask is like,” not “will be like.” Jesus is referring to the Kingdom as it Him to help you keep your focus on Him. exists now already. What is the Kingdom of Heaven on earth? What does this mean? Prayer Requests  Some scholars define the “Kingdom of Heaven” as the gracious rule and reign of God in the hearts and minds of people. Are you a  part of God’s kingdom? Why or why not?

 Read Luke 12:31&32. How can we both seek the kingdom and receive it as a gift from God. Does this paradoxical idea help us to understand the parable? Next Week: The Parable of the Two Sons (:28-32) Comments or questions regarding this study guide may be sent to Pastor David at How does this parable highlight that the Kingdom values and [email protected]. activity are different from what we are used to? 3