Bgroup Lesson Jun 23
Big Idea: Have you ever watched one of those television shows in the search for the most talented singer or performer? American Idol, The Voice, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor, the list goes on and on. There are many who audition for the show. Some are called back to participate in the competition but only one winner is chosen. Jesus says in Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” What does that mean for us as believers? Are we all vying to be chosen by God? Let’s dive deeper into this passage of scripture to learn more!
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 22:1-14 (NKJV) And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14 means:
1. God calls many
2. Whoever responds to the call, to His invitation, is chosen.
The “calling” part is up to God, but the “chosen” part is up to you!
When we actively make ourselves available for the call of God, we become the chosen ones. So what does He call us to? Or what do we need to make ourselves available for?
Romans 1:5-6 (NKJV) Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
Salvation is our first and highest calling. The greatest tragedy is being called to salvation but never responding, never making yourself available to receive the gift Christ purchased for you on the Cross.
Discussion Questions: Have you made yourself available to belong to Jesus for the first time? Or to restore the first love you once had?
Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
Christ desires us to walk in complete freedom from all sin and oppression of the enemy. We’ve been called to freedom and like salvation it has been paid for with the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross.
Discussion Questions: Have you made yourself available to be free from the hurt of your past? Free from disappointments? Free from generational curses?
Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
There are way too many angry Christians. We are not called to judge the sins of the world, but we are called to be peacemakers, sharing the healing and salvation that is in Christ.
Discussion Questions: Have you made yourself available to be called to peace? Available to offer and pursue forgiveness? Available to take the initiative for reconciliation and restoration of relationships?
2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV) He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
As disciples, we’ve been called to follow Christ. We follow Him by living how He did, holy. We are called to set ourselves apart from the world and its customs and to live holy.
Discussion Questions: Have you made yourself available to be called to holiness by cleaning up your attitudes, priorities, language, the things you watch, listen to, to allow Him more space in your everyday life?
God has great plans in store for your life but you have to accept them. He’s called you to belong to Him and to walk in freedom, peace, and holiness. Be sure to make yourself available to be chosen for everything God calls you to!