Grow Guide | Feb 26, 2023

Carry On - 1st Sunday of Lent 

Matthew 18:15-22

Connecting Questions

·      Describe a wonderful experience you’ve had as part of a community. What made it a positive experience? What kind of community was it?

·      When you were young, what did you learn about dealing with conflict? How have you carried these learnings into your adult life?

Context

Welcome to the first week of Lent 2023, and the beginning of a new sermon series called “Carry On.” The title comes from the mission statement of Easter Lutheran Church to “grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ.” Throughout the five Sundays in Lent, and the Wednesday midweek services, we will reflect on what we’ve learned from Jesus, the Great Teacher, and how we can apply it to our lives. What will we do to carry on the work of Jesus in our daily lives—both as individuals and as a faith community?

This week’s reading from Matthew includes Jesus’ instructions to the disciples about dealing with sin. The directions are specific and practical: if a member of the church sins against you, talk to that person alone. If you’re not listened to, bring witnesses to the conversation. If the member doesn’t listen to them, tell the church. If the member doesn’t listen to the church, the relationship may need to end. This passage is about the pain of sin and the joy of reconciliation. Notice that nowhere does Jesus recommend ignoring the problem and minimizing your hurt. Acknowledging the pain caused is what allows space for reconciliation.

Look at the Book

• Read Matthew 18:15-22.  

  • What comforts you in this passage? What challenges you?

  • Do you find these steps of conflict-solving laborious? Why or why not? How do they stand in a society that has moved to more and more virtual interaction (social media, email, etc.)?

• Notice the larger context of this passage in the entire chapter of Matthew 18.

  • What comes before it? What comes after it?

  • How do you see the common theme of community connecting Jesus’ sayings throughout Matthew 18?

  • List the qualities Jesus wants in a community.

• Jesus gives these instructions assuming his followers will experience conflict. He’s being proactive about addressing conflict when it inevitably happens.

  • Have you tried to ignore or avoid conflict? Are there times when avoidance might be appropriate?

  • Have you used Jesus’ instructions in this passage in your own experiences of conflict and hurt? What was it like?

  • Name a time you experienced being held accountable for your own actions that caused hurt. What was it like?

• Jesus calls his followers to practice forgiveness, knowing we are first forgiven by God.

  • How is the practice of forgiveness important to a community? What does a community that practices forgiveness look like?

  • Are there times when forgiveness is impossible? 

Taking it Home

Reflect on places in your life that may benefit from forgiveness. Begin your approach to these situations by remembering you’re a forgiven and loved child of God. God is endlessly patient with your growth when it comes to forgiveness, and there are times when forgiveness can’t be granted. Forgiveness is meant to give life, not guilt or shame to the person who struggles to forgive. Be patient with yourself. 

Are there ways you can contribute to the health and growth of your communities, whether it be your faith community, local school, friend group, etc.? Is there a concrete action you can take this week?