Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
Opening Question
What story (from history, movies, books, the bible, or your own experience) of triumph, success, or glory do you return to again and again?
The Question
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
“What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”– Matthew 20:17-19
In the passage, James and John’s mother essentially asks Jesus if her sons will be significant and great when Jesus rises to power. Theologians believe she expected Jesus to overthrow Rome as Israel’s political messiah.
Considering her perspective as both a mother and someone expecting political change, what are your thoughts on her question for Jesus?
Have you ever asked God for something that he didn’t give you? What does the story of this mother’s request reveal about blessings God withholds?
James and John’s mother sought significance for her sons through power and authority. What form of significance do you seek from God?
The Cup
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”– Matthew 20:22-23
Scholars believe Jesus is speaking of the Cup of Redemption, which was associated with the blood of the passover lamb and represented the price that was paid to purchase Israel’s freedom from slavery. Here, Jesus links significance and greatness to a willingness to suffer to free others from sin.
How is Jesus’s definition of greatness different than our culture’s definition of greatness?
Given this definition of significance, who has been significant in your life?
How can spiritual practices like fasting, spending time in silence, or giving to others help us keep Jesus’s definition at the center of our spiritual lives?
The Kingdom
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
– Matthew 20:24-28
How did the cross redefine love and significance for humanity?
How is Jesus’s request that we seek greatness through serving others an invitation to enter a Kingdom unlike any worldly kingdom?
When and where has God offered you an opportunity to serve and sacrifice for the sake of others?
Closing Thought
In your final time together, pray for any needs anyone in the group might have, asking God to strengthen us to love and serve others as he has loved and served us.