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Matthew 25:34-40
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
I think the scripture could also read like this.
I was…
- awkward and picked on, but you were kind to me.
- sitting in the lunch room by myself, but you came and sat beside me.
- new in town, but you showed me around and introduced me to others.
- considered “different,” but you treated me as a friend.
- in the corner crying, and you came and comforted with me.
- learning that my parents were divorcing, and you listened.
- thinking about suicide, and you had the guts to get me help.
- hating myself, and you told me I was worthwhile.
By asking the following types of questions each week you are turning your group into a youth ministry, looking outward, focused on caring for others, instead of a youth ministry, which is all about itself, focusing inward.
(STEAL and USE)
What did you see, hear or sense that concerned you this week?
possible follow-up questions
- Describe the tug or nudge you felt?
- What feelings did the situation stir up in you?
- How did you respond?
- How do wish you would have or could have responded?
- If you could have done more what might you have done?
- What ideas can we brainstorm on how to respond?
- If you run across a similar situation what might you do next time?
- If it had been you in that situation what would you have wanted?
- When do you need to refer a situation to a knowledgable adult to help?
- How is this about God?!!!!!