Kingdom Stories | December 11, 2022

 

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Matthew 13:44-52

53And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Talk Sheet Questions

  1. Did you do some embarrassing things when you were young? Do you think this is a case of Jesus’ past coming back to haunt him? Explain.

  2. What were townspeople looking for when they asked the question, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?” (54)

  3. What do you think it meant to “take offense at him?” What does “offense” look like today? (57)

  4. How is faith related to Jesus doing many mighty works? (58)

  5. Would you characterize the family of Jesus as an asset to the kingdom or a liability? Explain.

Prayer

Pray that people would not “take offense” at Jesus this Christmas.

 
 
Scott Reavely