WELCOME TO VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENS STUDY

Welcoming the Stranger Matthew 25:31-40

Opening Thoughts Think of one person who seems like a stranger to you, even though you see them practically every day. Ask yourself why that person is a stranger, and what it might look like to reach out to them. When have you experienced being a stranger in a group of people? (Think of a time when you were different for some reason or simply a newcomer.) Hearing What God Says Through His Word Matt. 25:31-34; Revelation 5:9-10, 20:6, 22:1-5 If you were among those on the right, how prepared would you feel character-wise to take your inheritance (which included ruling, reigning, and serving in the kingdom of heaven described in the passages from Revelation)? Matt. 25:35-36 Most of the categories of folks helped are easy to understand. But who qualifies as a stranger? Advent Bonus: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph had been political refugees/immigrants/strangers in Egypt until Herod died (ref. Matt. 2:13-23). What do you imagine would have been particularly hard for Mary and Joseph as they tried to survive in Egypt during that time? Matt. 25:37-40 How might Jesus words that we are really serving him when we serve people quite different from us help us if we are shy of afraid or intimidated?

NEXT WEEK. FELLOWSHIP NIGHT AND WRAP UP!