What is greatness really all about? Jesus flips it upside-down with three separate teachings about personal greatness, welcome of the least of these, and His pathway to greatness.
(Matthew 18:1-14; 19:13-15; 20:20-28)
Sermon Outline
“… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
Who is the Greatest?
- Us: Power
- The Disciples: Position
- The Disciples Mom: Prestige
Jesus on Greatness
- Those accepted into the kingdom
- Those considered great in the kingdom
- The pathway to greatness in the kingdom
Jesus’ Warnings
- Don’t pull them down
- Don’t get in the way
- Don’t abuse your authority
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How would you define greatness?
- What are you great at?
- In what ways does our society pursue greatness?
- What ways do you pursue greatness?
- Read Matthew 18:6. Jesus takes offense at anyone who would “cause any of these little ones to stumble.” Why do you think that is?
- In what ways can we call “little ones to stumble”?
- Read Matthew 19:13-15. Why do you think the disciples tried to hinder the children from being seen by Jesus?
- What ways can we hinder people from coming to Jesus?
- Jesus says over and over that we must take a low position. Make a list of ways that Jesus exemplifies this throughout scripture.
- Why is it so difficult for us to:
- Be a servant?
- Be a slave?
- To give our lives as a ransom for many?