Week 4: Entering into the Realm of God

Week 4: Entering into the Realm of God
FOCUS: WHAT DOES THE KINGDOM OF GOD LOOK LIKE?

Matthew 6: 9-15

‘Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.*
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,*
but rescue us from the evil one.*
14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

OPENING MEDITATION: Lectio Divinia

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What is your vision of the Kingdom of God? What do you think Jesus means when he uses this phrase?
2. Is the kingdom something we are waiting for or something we are actively seeking?
3. Do you struggle with the language of “kingdom”? Do you prefer “Realm of God” or another way of describing this concept?
4. What does it mean for you personally to get ready for this kingdom? What does it mean for the Body of Christ that is the church?
5. How would life be different if we lived in the kingdom right now?
6. What does the kingdom have to do with Jesus’ death and resurrection?

EXPLORING THE KINGDOM:
Break into groups of two and read the following verses about the kingdom. Discuss for a minute what you think these verses mean. Be ready to share your discussion with the group.
Group 1: Mark 4: 30-32
Group 2: Mark 1: 14-15
Group 3: Matthew 18: 44-50
Group 4: Matthew 11: 2-6 (see also Isaiah 29:18-21)
Group 5: Luke 18: 18-30
Group 6: John 3:1-8