Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Matt talked about how we're living in a spiritual mix of weeds and wheat in the world, and it's not our job to judge and pull the weeds; our job is to show compassion to those who are lost, no matter how much their choices may disturb us. You never know what chapter in the person's life God is writing.

MY STORY

We’ve all had times when someone in our life surprises us by changing for the good. It might be a child, a relative, a friend, or a colleague. Who is it for you? Why were you convinced they’d never change? What was it like when they did?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. (Matthew 13:24-25)

What was the enemy in the parable trying to achieve by sowing weeds among the wheat?

What’s the reason the master in the parable doesn’t want his servants to gather the weeds? What does that tell you about the value he places on the wheat?

Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Mathew 13:30)

The weeds and the wheat will be treated the same way—watered, protected, and cultivated. It’s only in the end, at the harvest, that they are separated and treated differently. How does this understanding affect your perception of the good and bad things that happen in this lifetime?

Imagine for a moment what it might be like for the righteous who are left to “shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (v. 43). What does that look like to you? Describe what you think life will be like without any trace of sin (that will happen, by the way, when believers are glorified, and they are saved from the presence of sin)

Jesus doesn’t always explain his parables this clearly. Were there any parts of the explanation that surprised you? Any questions that remain?

What does God want us to hear? Based on the passages above, what are the factual “takeaways” that are meaningful to you?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?

Channel your inner farmer and think about what it would be like to have your hard work sabotaged. Bible scholars think that the weed Jesus refers to in this parable was darnel, which resembles wheat. What does this tactic reveal about the enemy?

Farmers sow their crops knowing that they won’t harvest for several months. They do not expect to see a reward immediately. Through this parable, Jesus explains that he, too, is willing to wait. Is there someone you are waiting on? Someone you may be tempted to give up on?

How can you encourage someone who is struggling? Why is it important to withhold judgment when you’re offering that help?

What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit’s nudging us toward?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?

Pastor Matt said, "In other words, you are not in the judgement business, that is not what you do. It is not your task, That is not your job. Judgment will come. The harvest will come. The separation will happen. The King will act in justice and righteousness at the end of the age but that belongs to the King alone."

Who are some of the most annoying, perhaps even destructive, non-Christians in your life? How can you pray for them? How can you more effectively interact with them? How can you keep maturing in your faith? If there is anything you’d like to make a consistent habit, such as reading Scripture or spending dedicated time in prayer each day, write down your goals and go for it!

What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step that the Holy Spirit is calling you toward?