We will be having breakfast during the Sunday School hour Sunday, September 9th at 9:45 AM in the fellowship hall. Please bring a breakfast dish to share. The church will be providing milk, juice and coffee.
- August 26, Matthew 25:31-46
- September 2, James 1:17-27
- September 9, James 2:1-17
- September 16, James 3:1-12
- September 23, James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
- September 30, James 5:13-20
Scripture
Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40] And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
[41] "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' [44] Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45] Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Questions for Reflection
1. According to Jesus, how will the people of the earth be divided? (25:32-33)
2. How will Jesus divide humanity? (25:33)
3. What will Jesus say to those on His right? (25:34-36)
4. What criterion will Christ use to judge people? (25:40)
5. What will Jesus say to the “goats” on His left? (25:41)
6. How do people usually determine whether they will be nice to somebody?
7. How would your behavior change if you treated each person in your life as if he or she were Jesus?
8. In what way does this parable motivate you to tell your friends about Christ?
9. How would you counter the idea that this passage teaches salvation by good works?
10. What change does true faith make in a person’s life?
