Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

The Pharisees were too busy building their own kingdom to bother with following Jesus in his. 

Digging Deeper    

Read Luke 14:1-24

1. We can all, at times, find ourselves living for the “kingdom of self” rather than for the Kingdom of God. What are some of the ways you see that happen in your life? (e.g., work, responsibilities, possessions, activities, etc.)

2. How does a greater focus on the Kingdom of God (with a corresponding decreased focus on the “kingdom of self”) lead to greater compassion for others?

3. What are places and situations where you may be tempted to care too much about what others think of you? (e.g., work, school, neighbors, friends, kids’ abilities, etc.)

4. Why is it liberating to be freed from living for the recognition of others? What difference will that make at work? Home? Church? Evangelism?

5. In verses 13-14a, Jesus encourages us to pursue a generosity that will not be repaid in this life. What could it look like to show compassion and generosity to “the poor, the crippled, the lame (and) the blind”?  

6. Jesus promises in verse 14b a reward for moving towards those who can give you nothing in return. What is the reward? Is it motivating? Why or why not?

7. “Live for the line, not for the dot” is a common phrase in the history of CrossWay that captures the desire to live now for the life to come (the line) and not for the short few years we have on earth (the dot). If we believe this to be good, how can we help one another pursue it?

8. It is a tragic and grievous reality that many around us fail to heed the invitation into the kingdom Jesus has inaugurated because they are consumed with the things of this world. What might it look like for us (in an appropriate manner) to “compel” those outside the kingdom to lay down their excuses and come join “the banquet” of the kingdom? 

Prayer