THE RADICAL CALL
Don’t forget to intentionally connect with one another, share testimonies and spend some time worshipping together. As we begin this new series we will have more of an outward focus - how can we reach those who don’t know the good news of Jesus?
Mission
As a Group are there any people that you have a shared vision to reach together? Can you begin to pray together for God to stir up a passion for the lost/least/lonely and ask Him to show you how you can begin to do things together as a Group that could show God’s heart to these people?
Worship
As we think about the radical call on our lives, let’s think in our worship how we can radically offer Jesus our all. If you find it helpful, here’s a song you can use:
I will offer up my life in spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love, as my worship to you
In surrender I must give my every part
Lord, receive this sacrifice of a broken heart
Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
To so faithful a Friend, to so loving a King?
Saviour, what can be said, what can be sung
As a praise of Your name for the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart
You deserve my every breath, for You've paid the great cost
Giving up your life to death, even death on the cross
You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin
Open up the gates of heaven and have beckoned me in
Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
To so faithful a Friend, to so loving a King?
Saviour, what can be said, what can be sung
As a praise of Your name for the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart
Bible
Bible Study (30 mins)
Adam's points on Sunday were…
The Radical Call:
It's radical because Jesus calls Matthew (Matthew is not somebody anybody else would have called).
It's radical because of how he calls Matthew (the call is to follow Jesus - Matthew had to drop everything).
It's radical because Jesus calls Matthew, not the other way round (usually, the disciple chose the Rabbi, but Jesus chose his disciples).
It's radical because it's a call that keeps going (the call is forever).
1. Reflect on your own journey and share a time when you experienced a radical call or invitation from Jesus. How did it impact you and your relationship with Him?
2. What is the significance of Jesus choosing Matthew, a tax collector, as one of His disciples. How does this challenge our preconceived notions of who receives the call? How does it encourage us to see the potential in others?
3. In what ways do you see yourself in Matthew's story? Have you ever felt like an unlikely candidate for God's calling?
4. Jesus called Matthew to drop everything and follow Him immediately. What might this look like in our lives today? Are there any areas that we need to let go of in order to fully respond to Jesus' radical call?
5. Explore the idea of Jesus initiating the call to Matthew instead of the other way around. How does this demonstrate His relentless pursuit of us? How does it challenge our understanding of how we approach following Jesus? How does Jesus choosing you make you feel?
6. Reflect on the concept that Jesus' call is not just a one-time event but a lifelong journey. How does this perspective shape our commitment and devotion to Him?
7. Discuss the impact of Matthew's response to Jesus' call - his immediate obedience and willingness to leave everything behind. What can we learn from his example?
Prayer
Response
Is there an area of your life in which God is asking you to follow him, that you haven’t surrendered yet?
Prayer
Spend some time praying for one another to be clothed in love so that we can love the world well this week.
Use the prayer from Colossians 3:12-15 if you find it helpful.
12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Pray for the group of people that you were talking about at the beginning of the night, that don’t know Jesus’ love. Ask God to show you how you can best minister His love together this week.