Week 4 Harvest Discussion Guide

Sermon recording

If anyone missed Sunday's sermon, encourage them to watch the recording.

Check-in

Share with the group something you are grateful for and something that is causing you stress

Opening prayer (aloud together)

God of harvest,
gardener supreme
you place us at the center
feed us, equip us and
having provided for us
look to a different harvest—
a fruitfulness of lives
in service to you
and others.
God of harvest,
feed us
prune us
harvest us
that our lives
might bring glory to you.

Opening question

When you read something in the Bible that offends you, what do you do?

Reading of Scripture

Have someone read Matthew 20:1-16

• What resonates with you? Where do you experience resistance?
  
  
• Have you had a moment when you felt you were underpaid or unfairly compensated? What was that experience like?
  
  
• In Sunday’s sermon, Aaron said: “We all love God’s generosity. Until He extends it to someone we feel doesn’t deserve it.” When have you experienced this? … Do you ever feel like God is unfair to you?
  
  
• This parable shows us the Kingdom is extended first to those we consider last. How have you seen God show mercy to those who are last? … How are you moving toward those the world considers last?
  
  
• In the sermon Sunday, Aaron answered the question “What are we going to do with our offense?” with saying we should repent. The word repentance means “a change of mind”. How have you understood repentance? How does the definition “a change of mind” change how you view repentance?
  
  
• Aaron suggested this parable invites us to change our minds about God, ourselves and what really matters. Is there some way God is inviting you to change your mind based on this parable?

Have someone read Luke 15:11-32

• How does this parable relate to the parable we just read in Matthew 20?
  
  
• In your life, how have you experienced the grace, mercy and generosity of the God revealed in these two parables?

Responding to Scripture

Take a moment and ask God if there is anywhere in your life where you need to repent or “change your mind”. Pray a prayer of repentance of any lies you have been believing and ask God to plant the truth in your heart and mind.