Today’s Bulletin
OUTLINE
Matthew 20:1-17
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
Sermon Discussion questions
The Laborers In The Vineyard: Matthew 20:1-16
Ice Breaker: What was your first job? Do you have an interesting story about it?
This Week Specific
What strikes you the most about this parable? What aspects of the story stand out to you?
Put yourself in the shoes of the workers who were hired early and worked all day. How would you feel about getting the same pay as those who worked only an hour or two? How would you respond to the landowner's actions?
The landowner says to one of the workers, "Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money?" (v. 15). What does this reveal about God's sovereignty and His right to distribute His grace as He sees fit?
Do you relate with the workers hired first or last more? Why?
How can this parable challenge our sense of entitlement or our tendency to compare ourselves to others? What does it teach us about having a spirit of humility and gratitude?
Think about Jonah & the prodigal son, what does it say about our hearts that we get angry at mercy?
Where have you struggled to believe God is right and faithful to you?
Are there any areas in your life where you struggle with envy, resentment, or a sense of unfairness? How can the truths of this parable help address those attitudes?
What is one practical way you can apply the lessons of this parable to your life this week?
Weekly Questions
What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?
What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?
How can this group pray for you this week?