Entering God’s Kingdom Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Entering God’s Kingdom Lesson 8

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. “Getting In” Trouble B. Lesson Background

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What’s the Difference? The answers to the following questions are fairly obvious: What do these two pieces of paper have in common? What is the biggest difference between these two pieces of paper? 515711508 Photo: © Filipfoto / iStock / Thinkstock® 101335638 Photo: © Igor Nazarenko / Hemera / Thinkstock® Photo: © Filipfoto / iStock / © Igor Nazarenko / Hemera / Thinkstock® 3

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What’s the Difference? What would happen if you attempted to purchase something using the play money? Click to add notes Photo: © Filipfoto / iStock / © Igor Nazarenko / Hemera / Thinkstock® 4

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What’s the Difference? Today’s lesson deals with counterfeits in which people place their hope for Heaven. Yet Jesus has something quite different in mind. Click to add notes: Photo: © Filipfoto / iStock / © Igor Nazarenko / Hemera / Thinkstock® 5

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. Concern over the Kingdom (Luke 13:22-24) A. Question (vv. 22, 23a) B. Exhortation (vv. 23b, 24)

Expectations vs. Reality Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Expectations vs. Reality Expectation #1: In Jesus’ day, many Jews believed their biological connection with Abraham would guarantee that they would be included in the kingdom of God. Thus, many Jews would be able to enter Heaven. 528724128 Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock 7

Expectations vs. Reality Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Expectations vs. Reality Expectation #1: Many Jews would be able to enter Heaven. Read Luke 13:22-24, where someone asks Jesus about that. How does Jesus use the idea of a narrow entrance to Heaven to refute that expectation? Click to add notes Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock 8

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? Considering that we are not saved by works, what should striving to enter the kingdom of Heaven look like? Talking Points for Your Discussion In terms of actions of setting time and financial priorities, etc. In terms of reactions to un-Christian influences that pull one away from the kingdom 9

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. Citizens of the Kingdom (Luke 13:25-30) A. Those on the Outside (vv. 25-28) B. Those on the Inside (v. 29) C. Concluding Principle (v. 30)

Expectations vs. Reality Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Expectations vs. Reality Expectation #2: Many who heard Jesus teach expected to be part of the kingdom of God. Read Luke 13:25-27. What reason does Jesus give for saying the door may not be open to them? Why doesn’t He know them? Click to add notes Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock 11

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What has to happen for us to know that we are not fooling ourselves with regard to being a genuine follower of Christ? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding the talk we talk (specifics) Regarding the walk we walk (specifics) Regarding connecting points between our talk and our walk (specifics) 12

Expectations vs. Reality Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Expectations vs. Reality Expectation #3: Many Jews believed they would be in God’s kingdom and the Gentiles would not. Read Luke 13:28, 29. How does Jesus picture the fate of Jews who reject Him? Where will people come from who will be in the kingdom of God? Click to add notes Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock 13

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How do you answer objections to Jesus’ statement regarding what awaits the wicked? Talking Points for Your Discussion Answering the “surely a God of love would not” argument Answering the “punishment doesn’t fit the crime” argument Answering the “it’s all speculation” argument 14

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What, if anything, does verse 29 say about your church’s current focus on cross-cultural evangelism? Talking Points for Your Discussion In global terms In local terms 15

Expectations vs. Reality Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Expectations vs. Reality Expectation #4: The Pharisees considered themselves entitled to be first in the kingdom of God. Read Luke 13:30. By what criteria will the “first” (religious leaders) switch places with the “last” (sinners and Gentiles)? Click to add notes Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock Photo: © Zdenkam / iStock / Thinkstock 16

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What steps can we take to avoid the error of seeing ourselves as spiritually superior? Talking Points for Your Discussion When others speak well of us (Luke 6:26) When our spiritual pedigree is lengthy (Philippians 3:5) When experiencing a spiritual high (Matthew 17:1-5) Other 17

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. Thinking in Reverse B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Modern Misconceptions Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Modern Misconceptions What are some current popular beliefs about Heaven that don’t match up with what Jesus taught? How might you use Jesus’ statements from today’s text to try to correct that wrong thinking? 504309152 Photo: © Skarie20 / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © Skarie20 / iStock / Thinkstock 19

Modern Misconceptions Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Modern Misconceptions “I believe that everyone who lives a good life will go to Heaven.” How might you use Jesus’ image of a narrow entrance in your discussion? Click to add notes Photo: © Skarie20 / iStock / Thinkstock 20

Modern Misconceptions Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Modern Misconceptions “I’ve been around church people all my life. Some of my best friends are Christians.” How might you use Jesus’ statement about many people knocking on the door and not being allowed in during your discussion? Click to add notes Photo: © Skarie20 / iStock / Thinkstock 21

Modern Misconceptions Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Modern Misconceptions “Perhaps there is a Heaven, but I just don’t believe in Hell.” How might you use Jesus’ description of the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth in your discussion? Click to add notes Photo: © Skarie20 / iStock / Thinkstock 22

Modern Misconceptions Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Modern Misconceptions “Our worship minister is always front and center in all our services. I’m sure he will have one of the biggest mansions in Heaven.” How might you use Jesus’ statement about the first being last and the last being first in your discussion? Click to add notes Photo: © Skarie20 / iStock / Thinkstock 23

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Horizontal Visual What deceptive labels does Satan put on these doors to tempt us to choose unwisely?

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember We must abide by the King’s terms to enter the kingdom.

Parable of the great dinner Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson Parable of the great dinner