Text Study for Sunday, June 22, 2025

Series Theme: You Welcomed Me

Reading: Matthew 25:31-40

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

Tell about a time you got picked for a team on the playground, work or life. What was it like? Why?

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Lord Jesus, you welcomed all who came into your presence. May I reflect that same spirit through this ministry of hospitality. May your light shine in my heart this day. Remove from me anything that would stand in the way of radiating your presence.

As people enter this Church to worship and praise You, may they hear your voice in my words and see your love in my actions. May my “welcome” reflect our joy at their presence amid my “good-by” encourage them to return soon.

I thank you for the opportunity to serve you and ask your blessing upon all my efforts. I ask this through our God who is the giver of all gifts. Amen.

CONTEXT

As people of faith, we are called to practice hospitality not as a mere act of kindness, but as a sacred expression of our beliefs. Hospitality is a faith practice that reflects the heart of God. When we welcome the stranger, care for the vulnerable, and create space for others at our tables, we do so as if we are serving Jesus himself.

In extending hospitality, we embody the love, grace, and radical welcome of Christ. It is not optional or occasional—it is a core part of our discipleship. Through hospitality, we bear witness to a God who receives all with open arms and calls us to do the same. Join us on this journey with our sermon series, You Welcomed Me, will explore this need to welcome, care for, walk with, include, and show kindness.

From Dr James Boyce at EntertheBible.org:

Matthew’s Gospel is important for its grand conception of the God who comes to claim and call a people in Jesus the Messiah. The promise of God’s presence frames and interprets the whole story of Jesus as the Messiah. This promise calls people to discipleship, shaping a new community that is constituted and lives by the forgiveness of God. The Sermon on the Mount proclaims to Jesus’ disciples the blessing of God for a people who are salt and light for the world. This is a people who experience the surprising message of the kingdom as being like treasure hidden in a field and who in the joy of discovery go and sell everything to acquire such a treasure.

LOOK AT THE BOOK

How is it with your spirit this week?
What are the four gospels?
What does “gospel” mean?
How has Jesus been “good news” for you?
There are five smaller storylines (also called “discourses”) in the gospel of Matthew. This teaching comes in the last one with a theme of “faithful waiting.” What is something you are faithfully waiting for?
Read Matthew 25:31. Part of our Christian confession says that Jesus will return to earth. What do you think Jesus will come to “set right” in this world?
What is the key image for God in verse 32? How does that image speak to you?
In verse 34, the key verb is “inherit.” What is the inheritance of faith? What do you hope to leave as an inheritance of faith with your life?
In verse 35-39, what are the caring actions being taken?
How is Easter living that out or not—as a community?
Notice it is the “righteous” who are asking the questions, not simply the one who “get things wrong.” Why is self-reflection and asking ourselves questions important?
What do you make of the “king’s” response in the last verse? What do you hear?
What should every Christian know after having read this passage?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

On the list of caring actions in the passage, which people group do you know least about? How could you learn more?

God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grow Guide | June 22, 2024