Study Questions - Bible Discovery [33]

Date: March 20, 2005
Passage: Matthew 20:20-28
Message: The Pecking Order
Bible Discovery [33]

1. The ‘Pecking Order’ is a long established metaphor for working out our position and status in any group or community.
# Share experience of where you have seen this process happening.
# What subtle ways does the ‘Pecking Order’ affect the way we think and act about others. Give examples.
# Read Philippians 2:1-10 What does this tell us about Jesus attitude to all this?
# Read Matthew 20:20-24 How can the disciples after listening to Jesus for 3 years, still be so far from the heart of what he has been teaching them?

2. Matthew 20:20-28 brings out at least 3 Paradox
1) Paradox of AUTHORITY Read v25
What is it about human nature that wants to ‘lord it over’ others?
Read Philippians 2:4 Do we take that seriously? What does it mean? Do we look at the interests of others in the light of where they fit on the ‘Pecking Order’?

2) Paradox of ABILITY Read v22-23
How many of us are super-heroes in our dream and super saints in our prayers, yet we struggle to live by faith with reality. Discuss
What things do you find easier to talk about, pray about, think about than to DO?
Read Philippians 4:13 What does that mean? Share experience where you have found this true.

3) Paradox of KINGDOM Read v25-28
V26 …not so with you
‘There is a discretion that comes with being a Christian.
There is a discrimination that comes with being a Christian.
There is a discernment that comes from being a Christian.’
Discuss

Jesus is making it clear that the Kingdom of God is the very opposite to the Kingdom of this world. Would you say the Church looks more like the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of this world? Why? How much do we need to be different and when is it OK to look the same?