The Kingdom comes with the King

Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God to this earth, and we the church are the expression of His Kingdom. The lordship of Jesus Christ is central to the Kingdom of God. How can we as His church bring God’s Kingdom to a hurting world effectively?

Read Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 4:18-19

Discuss

1. When thinking of the “Kingdom of God”, what values come to mind?
2. In Matthew 25:31-46, who do you think represents the sheep and the goats? Do both groups think they are Christians? What is the difference between the groups? Note that this passage does not suggest that a person is saved by doing good works, but rather the importance of works as an expression of one’s faith in Jesus (see James 2:14-17).
3. Read Proverbs 14:31, Isaiah 58:6,7 and Galatians 6:10.What do these verses say about God’s heart for all people?
4. There are many ways to show God’s love in practical ways to those who are in need. What areas of service resonate with you personally? Why? Share your passion in one of these areas with the group.
5. In Luke 4:18-19, how did Jesus demonstrate the nature of His mission on earth? Consider, for example, the healing of the demoniac, the feeding of the five thousand, the healing of the woman with the issue of blood.
6. Kingdom values in action without the King could be humanitarian aid”. This means that while humanitarian aid is important, it is also crucial that the gospel is shared meaningfully. Why does the gospel need to be integral in providing practical help and aid?

Respond

God’s heart is indeed for the hurting people of this world. His love and restoration are expressed through the church, that is, you and I as members of the body of Christ. By discipling someone towards faith in Christ, a person can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to make positive and healthy changes in their lives, and in turn be a blessing to others in similar situations. What is one thing you can add to your service this year to practically and spiritually help someone in need?

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