Connect What is one thing this week that would strengthen your faith in Jesus?

Warm-Up

1. If you walked along the street and asked people “Who is Jesus?”, what do you think they would say?
2. Have your ideas of who Jesus is changed over time? In what ways?

Read Matthew 16:13-17 

3. Who did the people (according to the disciples) say that Jesus is?
4. What was the role of a prophet? What did these prophets have in common? 
5. Why does it feel safer to offer what others think, rather than what you think? What is at stake?
6. Have you ever been asked to explain what you believe about Jesus? What was the context?
7. How did Peter answer Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?” 
8. What is the significance of each of the titles: Son of Man  (from Jesus’ preamble), Messiah, Son of the Living God? 
9. Why does Jesus press in for a personal response? Why will all people need to respond to who Jesus is?
10. Why do we know this is a profession of faith? 
11. Who ultimately reveals the identity of Jesus? What is the relationship between individual investigation and God’s revelation?
12. Do you know anyone that knows things about Jesus but still doesn’t acknowledge him as Lord? 
13. If we have made a personal confession of our faith in Jesus, why do we need to be continually reminded of who he is?

Read Matthew 16:18-20

14. Who builds the church? And whose church is it? Why is it important to be reminded of this? What is at risk if we forget who the builder and founder is?
15. Can we separate Peter’s confession in Jesus with his role in building the church? Why not? 
16. Why are the keys of the kingdom, binding and loosing all contingent on the confession of Jesus? 
17. What specific role did Peter have in Jesus’ mission? What evidence do we have of that?
18. Why does a personal response to Jesus lead to being part of his mission? 
19. In what particular ways has Jesus used you as part of his mission? In what ways is he using you today?
20. Why were the disciples told not to tell anyone that Jesus was the Messiah? Is it the same for us today?

Apply What is one particular way Jesus is using you (right now) as part of his mission to the world?

On Your Front Line this Week

If you meet someone facing a challenge this week, how can you offer hope?

For Families

• ‍Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen: “Up Close with Jesus & His Kingdom” by Stephen Nichols: https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=233734&show_file=248343 
• Listen: “I Will Build My Church” by Tim Sheppard: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/56506/audio/
• Listen: “Confidence in the Church” by Stephen Nichols: https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=180530&show_file=192795
• Watch: “The Messiah” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/messiah/ 
• Read: “An Actor Brings His Faith into His Work”: https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/an-actor-brings-faith-into-his-work/

Series Resources

• Website: All of the resources from our series are available (including from St Bart’s Kids) at:https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/responding-to-jesus
• Watch: “Matthew’s Gospel” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/matthew/ 
• Read: “The Message of Matthew” by Micheal Green: https://koorong.com/product/the-message-of-matthew-2020-bible-speaks-today_9781789741445