Throughout Jesus short ministry he taught people about the kingdom of God. Basically, the kingdom of God has to do with the rule and reign of God in a person’s life. People enter the kingdom of God through faith and repentance.
In today’s lesson Jesus teaches two parables about the kingdom of God, and how it grows – Internally and externally. Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and the leaven in Luke 13:18-21:
"He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? (19) It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." (20) And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? (21) It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened."
Remember the mustard seed. God is growing his kingdom. God's kingdom is God's kingdom and He builds His kingdom and what He builds cannot fail and the way that He builds His kingdom will not fail. It is our job to believe that and to respond to that and to live accordingly with that–with that hope that His message will prevail in this world and that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He will reign forever and ever.
Discussion Questions
1. Is every Christian obligated to share the gospel? What if he is uncomfortable talking to others about spiritual matters?
2. If conversion is God’s doing, to what extent are we free to use persuasive techniques in witnessing? See 2 Cor. 5:11.
3. Some say, “If God has predestined all who will be saved, why do we need to witness?” Why is this fallacious?
4. Why should the doctrine of 'effectual calling' actually be an encouragement to witness? See Acts 18:9-10; 2 Tim. 2:10).
