The Mysteries of the Kingdom // A Warning: The Parable of the Net - Matthew 13:47-50

February 23, 2025

1. Has there been a time where you cried out for God’s justice, God’s mercy or both? How were your prayers answered?

2. What do you think of the justice and mercy of our culture and time? Is it fair?

3. What would you think of God if he never dealt with sin, oppression and injustice - that He will just let a lot of stuff slide?

4. What does the Parable of the Net in Matt 13:47-50 represent? Briefly explain each of the elements of the metaphor.

5. The Bible, and Jesus especially, uses shocking and appalling language to allude to what hell is like. This is deliberate. List some ways hell is described in Scripture. Which do you find most troublesome? How is God being loving and merciful in bringing hell to our attention?

6. (Read John 3:16-21.) C.S. Lewis wrote that the doors of hell are locked from the inside and those inside have been forever given the horrible freedom they have demanded and are thus self-enslaved. What do you think of this view?

7. How does the Cross of Christ perfectly express both God’s perfect justice and His gracious mercy? (See 1 Peter 2:22-25; Romans 5:8.)

8. (Read Psalm 51:4; 1 John 1:7-9) When we look at the Cross and the revelation of hell, how does God want us to see sin? How do we typically view our own sin?

9. What are we redeemed for? Why can we pray with confidence and continue our struggle against sin? Why is continuous confession and repentance vital to our life and mission in Christ?