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Heaven Sent or Earth born

October 4 | Discipleship Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together.
If you’re launching a new Group, trust and friendship take time to build. Take turns each week having someone share a bit of their story.

Read Together:  Matthew 21:23–32 CSB

Jesus is confronted by the chief priests and elders, who question where His authority comes from. Rather than answer their trap directly, Jesus exposes their inability to recognize what comes from heaven. He then tells the parable of two sons: one says no to his father but later obeys, while the other says yes but never follows through. Jesus uses the parable to show that what matters is not simply what we say, but whether we believe God and actually do His will.

The One Question:
If you only have time for one question, ask this one.

Where is Jesus asking you to move from simply saying you believe to actually doing the Father’s will?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your Group or for personal reflection.

  1. What stands out to you most in this passage?
  2. The religious leaders ask Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?” What were they really trying to accomplish with their question? What does their response to Jesus reveal about their hearts?
  3. Jesus points them back to John the Baptist. John called people to repent because the kingdom of heaven had come near. Why do you think the religious leaders struggled to recognize that John’s message—and Jesus Himself—was from God?
  4. The sermon emphasized that Jesus was given authority by God and walked in that authority. What does Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:16–17 reveal about who He is? How does that change the way we should respond to Him?
  5. Jesus says the first son did the father’s will even though he initially said no, while the second son said yes but never went. What is Jesus teaching us about the difference between outward words and genuine obedience? Where have you seen yourself in either of the sons?
  6. Jesus says that tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom of heaven ahead of the religious leaders because they believed and responded to the message. What does this reveal about the kind of response Jesus is looking for from us?
  7. The sermon ends with the beautiful truth that people who were once far from God, who initially said no to Him, can turn their hearts toward Him and be saved. Where have you seen this kind of transformation—in your own life or in someone else’s?

Pray Together:

  • Ask God to give you a genuine willingness to recognize Jesus for who He is and trust His authority.
  • Ask God to reveal any areas where your words say “yes” to Him, but your life is saying “no.”
  • Pray for the humility to turn toward God when He reveals something that needs to change.
  • Pray for people who are currently far from God, that they would hear the gospel, believe, and turn toward Jesus.

Next Steps:

  • Believe what Jesus says. Take time this week to consider: Do I genuinely believe Jesus is who He says He is? Bring any doubts or questions honestly to Him.
  • Obey what God is asking. Identify one specific thing God has been asking you to do. Take a concrete step of obedience rather than simply intending to do it.
  • Check your “yes.” Ask yourself: Where am I giving God lip service without following through? Confess it and make a plan to respond.
  • Make room for a changed mind. If there is an area where you have resisted God, ask Him for the humility to turn around and say yes.