Sermon Discussion Guide: 4/6/25

Sermon Recap

Title: Feasting& Fasting

Text: Matthew 9:9-17

Big Idea: For followers of Jesus, there is a place for feasting and a place for fasting.

Outline:
I. A place for feasting (9:9-13)
II. A place for fasting (9:14-17)

Discussion Questions

1. Do you have a positive, negative, or neutral relationship with food? Explain.

2. What initial thoughts do you have about such a prevalent use of meal motif in Scripture, especially in connection with celebrating redemption?

3. Do you tend to enjoy or shy away from feasting/celebrating/parties? Why is that the case for you?

4. How have you seen feasting done in intentional ways that helped cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving and praise for those in attendance?

5. What has your experience with fasting looked like? And where did you learn to fast?

6. What are your thoughts about trying out a fast? Does it make you nervous? Do you feel you don't understand it well enough to know what to do? Are you sort of excited to try it out? What next steps could you take?

7. One of the main points made in the message was that if your discipleship is no more than learning, then you are missing something because our growth in knowledge should produce a growth in love. Jesus uses the language in this passage of "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." In what ways are you enacting mercy in our broken world for the good of those around you? If you don't have an answer, then what could it look like for you?