This week in our Bible study, we are wrapping up our series, “Every Last Drop,” in which we have been talking about the call to love God with everything in us. So far, we have discussed the call to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Today, we are talking about the call from Scripture to love God with our minds. You see, our minds have a profound impact on all that we say and do. Therefore, as we seek to grow in our relationships with Him, we must take seriously the things we focus our minds on every single day.
What is one thing that you find yourself thinking about often?
1. Read Proverbs 23:7a. How have you seen the truth in this passage of Scripture to be true in your own life?
Proverbs 23:7a (NKJV)
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
2. Read Romans 12:2. Name some of the ways the world thinks versus how followers of Christ are called to think?
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3. Read Philippians 4:8-9. Is it easy to solely focus on the things Paul lists in this passage of Scripture? Why is committing to follow Paul’s instructions in this passage of Scripture worth the effort required to fix your mind on these things?
Philippians 4:8-9
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
4. What is at stake for those who choose not to focus on the things listed in Philippians 4?
1. How do the verses you studied today motivate you to take seriously the things you focus your mind on?
2. What does it look like in our world today to “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think?”
3. When it comes to loving God with your mind, what is one change you can implement to set your mind on Him and His kingdom?
Look back at the list of things that Paul calls us to set our minds on in Philippians 4:8-9. Which of those things would you like to focus on over the next week? Share your answer with your group. After everyone shares, pray together, committing to loving God with your minds by focusing on the things of God and His kingdom this next week and beyond.
We were challenged during the weekend message to love God with our minds by being “students of God’s word.” This takes discipline and focus, but the reward far outweighs the work we put into understanding and studying God’s word for ourselves. We also heard that studying the Bible deeply involves asking questions to make important observations about the Scripture we are reading. Let’s take a few minutes to learn more about Matthew 28:19-20, a very well-known passage of Scripture that we were challenged to study deeply during the weekend message. Let’s learn from this passage of Scripture by making important observations about this very well-known passage of Scripture. Specifically, we will focus on the setting, the people involved, and the command given in this passage of Scripture.
Read Matthew 28:19-20.
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
To understand the setting of this passage of Scripture, we have to pay attention to what is happening in the chapter and verses preceding the passage of Scripture we are studying. Take a moment to do that just now. Read Matthew 28 in its entirety, then answer the questions below:
1. What took place leading up to the words from Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, and how does understanding this setting impact your understanding of how valuable these words must have been to Jesus’ disciples?
2. How do you think seeing Jesus alive changed the way His disciples paid attention to His words in Matthew 28:19-20?
3. Look at verse 18. How do you think Jesus’ words in this verse empowered His disciples as He spoke the commands in verses 19-20?
Matthew 28:18
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Let’s think for a moment about the people involved in this passage of Scripture. The answer to who was involved in this Scripture may seem rather obvious, but when we stop and reflect on these people involved, the passage of Scripture becomes even more meaningful for us as we read and study it. Reflect on the people involved in Matthew 28:19-20 and answer the questions below:
1. Jesus and His disciples are involved in this passage of Scripture. Take a moment and list some of the things you know about Jesus during His earthly ministry and His disciples. For example, Jesus offered unexpected people, like tax collectors and fishermen, the invitation to be His followers, and Jesus’ disciples had been learning from Jesus for three years.
2. How does the reminder that Jesus’ disciples would not normally have received an invitation to follow a Jewish rabbi impact your understanding of who God uses to impact His kingdom?
3. How does the reminder that Jesus Himself issues the invitation to make disciples give you confidence as you set out to obey the commands in Matthew 28:19-20?
Now that you have an understanding of the setting of Matthew 28:19-20 and the people involved in this passage of Scripture, let’s take a look at what we can learn about the commands Jesus gave in this passage of Scripture to His disciples. They were responsible for carrying on His mission after His ascension into heaven. Today, the privilege and responsibility are ours.
1. Take a look at the word “all” repeated several times in Matthew 28:19-20. What does this short but significant word indicate about Jesus’ commands to His disciples in this passage of Scripture?
2. How do you think the promise Jesus gave His disciples in this passage of Scripture impacted how they set out to obey Jesus’ command after He ascended to heaven?
3. What evidence do we have that Jesus’ disciples obeyed this command, and what was the impact?
Take a few moments to reflect on what you learned as you studied Scripture in-depth, taking time to observe what God has to say to you in His word. Share with your group what you learned by answering the questions below:
1. How did studying the Scripture deeply impact your understanding of this very well-known verse?
2. What is a step you can take this week to carry out the commands of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 by making Christ known? How does this Scripture you studied today motivate you to take that step?
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