Matthew 9:35-38

Read Matthew 9:35–38

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Discuss

1. The emotion Jesus feels for the crowds is ‘compassion’.
a) Why is compassion such an important starting point for mission?

b) What does this show us about God’s character?

2. Jesus describes the crowds as “sheep without a shepherd.”

a) What does this description tell us about the lives of the people Jesus sees?

b) Where do you see people today who seem harassed and helpless?

c) Where do you see this being uniquely true of the younger generation?

3. Before Jesus sends anyone, he calls his disciples to pray.

a) Why do you think prayer comes before action here?
b) How might praying for the harvest change the way we see the oppurtunities before us?

c) In what sense might the disciples themselves be part of the answer to the prayer Jesus asks them to pray?
d) Who are you connected to who might need someone to go to them intentionally?

Vision

  • As we look towards launching a Uni-age / young adults service:

    • What excites you about this vision?

    • What questions do you have?

    • How could you be praying towards this end?


    Please submit any questions or feedback via: citylightchurch.com.au/nextgen



    Prayer

    Pray together:

    a) For compassion like Jesus
    b) For the next generation in our city

    c) For those we know who are far from God
    d) For courage to respond personally to what God is calling us to

    Prayer Night Reminder

    Jesus’ call in this passage is simple: Pray to the Lord of the harvest.

    As a church, we’ll be gathering to do exactly that at Prayer Night on Wednesday 18 February.

    We’d love groups to prioritise coming along, praying for the next generation, and asking God to raise up labourers among us.