EXPLORE THE TEXT
We demonstrate our acceptance of Jesus’s authority by our obedience to Him.
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said,
‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’
29 He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went.
30 Then the man went to the other and said the same thing.
‘I will, sir,’ he answered, but he didn’t go.
31 Which of the two did his father’s will?” They said, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you,
tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him.
Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him;
but you, when you saw it, didn’t even change your minds then and believe him.”
briefly discuss the characters in this parable and what they represent.
Highlight the role of obedience-not just in words, but in actions.
talk about the role of submission to Jesus’s authority in entering the kingdom of God:
When the religious leaders answered by saying “the first” carried out his father’s will,
they indicted themselves for their response to John’s message and subsequently to Jesus’s ministry.
Jesus compared the response of the religious leaders to His ministry
with that of tax collectors and prostitutes. .Jesus told [the leaders] that these outcasts would enter God’s kingdom “before you.”
This does not necessarily imply that these leaders would eventually make it into God’s kingdom.
The phrase “before you” could be translated “take the place of.”
Simply stated, unless the priests and elders changed their thinking about the Messiah, they would be left behind. (PSG, pp. 86-87)
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 88 of the Personal Study Guide:
Lead a brief discussion about where adults see people rejecting Jesus’s authority in our culture.
Remind them of the responses to the question on page 87 of the PSG.
Challenge them to find ways to demonstrate the authority of Jesus as they go through their days.
Enlist a volunteer to read the first set of questions on page 88 of the PSG aloud.
Encourage adults to take time this week to assess Jesus’s authority in their own lives and to remember that their example will serve to guide others to do the same.
Suggest they read and reflect on the second set of questions on page 88 of the PSG during the week ahead.
Allow the group a time of silent confession, inviting adults to speak with God about how they embrace His authority and any changes that need to be made. Close the session in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to let each person see where and how He would guide them as they take steps into deeper obedience and surrender to Jesus’s authority.
During the week, text or email the adults in your Bible study. Remind them of Jesus’s question from
Matthew 21:31: “Which of the two did his father’s will?” Encourage them to consider their own willingness to yield their focus and authority to God. Suggest they continue using Pack Item 9 (Handout: Praying Scripture in Matthew’s Gospel) to reflect on God’s truth as they dig into His Word each day.
To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. (See 1 Peter 1:15-17; Hebrews 12:28-29.)
Use a Bible dictionary to learn more about people in the Bible.
Using a Bible dictionary, collect information on the following topics: the chief priests, the elders, tax collectors, and prostitutes in first-century Israel. Reflect on the role each played in Jesus’s ministry. How did each one impact Jesus’s message and ministry? Spend time in prayer asking God to help you understand Jesus’s work more clearly and to relate to people in a way that reflects His character.