Small Group
the week of September 5, 2021
First, watch this small group intro video.
I. Worship
Pick a leader so you can speak the following dialogue together.
Leader: O Lord, open my lips,
Group: And my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)
L All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord;
G And they in turn will tell their children. (Psalm 86:9)
L Future generations will be told about the Lord.
G They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn. (Psalm 22:30-31)
L Let this be written for a future generation,
G that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.
L The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high,
G from heaven he viewed the earth,
L to hear the groans of the prisoners
G and release those condemned to death. (Psalm 102:18-20)
L My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
G of your salvation all day long. (Psalm 71:15)
Pray and worship along with the song “Make Me a Light” by Caleb Schmiege.
II. learn
As a group, try to remember some main points/ideas from this Sunday’s message on Jonah chapter 1.
After you’ve done that, look at the bible verse that’s in the following image and discuss how this one verse relates to Sunday’s message. This verse is part of a prayer Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father on behalf of his disciples on the night before he went to the cross.
Pick someone to read Matthew 16:1-12 from the New International Version.
1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’
3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.
6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Now pick someone else to read Matthew 16:1-12 from The Message.
1 Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them.
2 He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight;
3 red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can’t you read the signs of the times?
4 An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you’ll get is the Jonah sign.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
5 On their way to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring along bread.
6 In the meantime, Jesus said to them, “Keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.”
7 Thinking he was scolding them for forgetting bread, they discussed in whispers what to do.
8 Jesus knew what they were doing and said, “Why all these worried whispers about forgetting the bread? Runt believers!
9 Haven’t you caught on yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves of bread and the five thousand people, and how many baskets of fragments you picked up?
10 Or the seven loaves that fed four thousand, and how many baskets of leftovers you collected?
11 Haven’t you realized yet that bread isn’t the problem? The problem is yeast, Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.”
12 Then they got it: that he wasn’t concerned about eating, but teaching—the Pharisee-Sadducee kind of teaching.
Discuss: Why do you think the disciples were so tripped up?
Listen to the following explanation of what Jesus is saying about the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 16:1-12.
III. Serve
Watch this video excerpt of a presentation entitled “Growing Young”, given by Martin Luther College professor Luke Thompson.
Speak out loud to one another what you are moved to pray about.
Then pray together. (3 minutes maximum for this prayer session)
Prepare your hearts for lives of service with the song “A Rightful Place” by Steve Angrisano.
Reminders before you go…
Sunday, September 12th
Service time 10:30am
Trinity Kids (kids church) begins
Church Picnic after the service
Trinity Teens (youth group) 5:00p - 7:00p
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
(2 Corinthians 13:14)