Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Matthew 4:12-25), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [17, 23] Jesus was always talking about the kingdom of heaven. (The word “kingdom” shows up more than 50 times in Matthew’s Gospel!) Heaven is the place in creation where God’s unobscured presence defines the experience of reality in every way. The kingdom of heaven is wherever people submit to the essential reality of heaven—wherever God is known, trusted, praised, and obeyed as King. This kingdom is primarily one of reconciliation and communion with God in Christ. You cannot participate in this kingdom except through personal repentance and faith in Jesus. When Jesus says, “Repent, for [because] the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” (v. 17) he is “proclaiming the gospel [good news] of the kingdom” (v. 23). What do you know from the Scriptures about the kingdom of heaven? Considering what you know, does its nearness strike you as good news? Does this good news register with you as a reason for repentance? Do you believe that Jesus is the King of heaven, that the kingdom is embodied in him? Do you joyfully submit to him as the King of heaven?

• [18-22] Jesus calls disciples to follow him, and promises to make them “fishers of men.” The four disciples listed here leave worldly employments, and even family, to follow Jesus. Becoming a disciple of Jesus and entering his kingdom entails a radical break from the world and its ways, a complete reorientation of your life. What does that mean? Do all of Jesus’ disciples have to quit their jobs, leave their families, and become missionaries and evangelists? If not, why not? How else could you so radically commit yourself to the King of heaven? Have you ever asked Jesus what he would like to do with your life? As his disciple, is Jesus making you a “fisher of men”? What might that look like in your life?

• [23-24] The miracles Jesus worked, especially things like healing people from afflictions and freeing them from demonic oppression, testify to his astounding goodness and his gracious love for people. We cannot take these miracles as promises that he will heal us of every single affliction in this life, perhaps if we can muster up enough faith or pray well enough. His miraculous works are called signs (e.g., John 4:54), because they point to the ultimate work of healing Jesus would perform at the cross. There he healed the root of all our afflictions, restoring the relationship with God that we had broken in our sin. In the resurrection we will experience the complete healing of soul and body, but physical healing in this life is no guarantee. Have you ever prayed for healing, either for yourself or someone else, and the affliction was not healed? How have you felt toward God in moments like these? Disappointed? Frustrated? Like you must not be a good enough Christian for God to give you what you asked? Why should we pray for healing, knowing that God might not do what we ask? Can you believe that Jesus is the good Healer, even if he doesn’t heal all your afflictions in this life? Are you content knowing that God will heal you fully in the resurrection? How might such contentment change your suffering?

• FOR THE CHILDREN: What do you know about the kingdom of heaven that Jesus talks about? Does it seem like a good thing to you? Do you want to be a part of it? Is Jesus your true King? How is his kingdom different from other kingdoms in this world?