Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
Let God Sort It Out
Scripture
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Main Idea
By the time something shows up in your life, it’s been planted for awhile. As humans, we have a tendency to want to categorize everything. We want to be able to say whether something is good or bad, harmful or helpful. We want to be the gardeners of our own lives, weeding out the bad and keeping only the good. Jesus’s parable warns us, though, that only God can tell the bad from the good. We don't know. Often, the things that feel bad to us in the moment are being used to transform our lives. When we try to do the sorting, we’re often uprooting things God is using to help us grow, to help prepare us for His Purpose.
"Stop sorting, keep sowing."
Discussion Questions
- Why can't we be gardeners of our own lives? Why is it so important to let God sort it out?
- Problems and potential have a way of growing together. Can you describe a time when this was true for you? How did you respond?
- God has a way of turning something meant for evil into something good. Is there a time in your life when this has happened?
Summary
- Already Not Yet -- Jesus often teaches the principle of the already and not yet reality of the Kingdom of God. He would say things like, “The Kingdom of God is here,” but then he also told us to pray, “Your Kingdom come…” In other words, some things have already come, and some are still coming. (Ex. We have been saved, we’re being saved, and we will be saved) Pastor Justin has noticed that as his devotion grows, so do the distractions.
- Double-Edged Sword -- It’s interesting how our problem and our potential grows together. (Ex. Relationships add value and meaning to your life, but they also add complexity and challenge) This also works with burdens or things you don’t want. (Ex. During times of grief, you experience God’s grace in a new way.) Paul said, “It’s in my weakness that I’m made strong.”
- God’s gifts often show up in packages you didn’t order. -- Paul had a thing he called “the thorn.” It came from the enemy, but God can take what the enemy intended for torment in your life and use it to transform you. (2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV) God uses adversity to create advantage in your life. God takes what people meant for evil and uses it for your good, because He’s God like that.
- Let God sort it out. – His Grace and the grief often grow together. This is what Jesus is describing in the parable. In Ecclesiastes 11:4-6, Solomon looks back, realizing that even the heights of wealth and knowledge are ultimately empty without a proper relationship with God. Solomon speaks of the struggle we all have with spiritual growth. You can’t know if what you’re doing is making a difference at all, but you also don’t know the way God works. Getting rid of everything in your life that you don’t like will uproot what God is growing. Think of Jesus, putting together His team. He knew that one of them would betray Him, but He kept Judas as a disciple anyway. Pulling up the weeds before it is time would damage the good seed that was also growing. God has to be the one to sort it out. What you think is perilous is actually preparation. God will use your mistakes. God will use the dumb thing you did. God will use it all to serve His Purpose. Stop sorting, but keep sowing.
Take Action
Are you sorting, or sowing? Try to do one new thing this week to put your focus back on sowing.
Announcements
- A new series starts next week: Mas. Join us on December 8, when we'll be kicking things off with churros at church.
- Our Thanksgiving outreach provided 300 meals to families in need. Thank you to all who helped!
