Introduction and Ice Breaker
What are the best books you have read with redemptive themes?
Themes to Consider
Jesus describes, demonstrates and then invites us into the life of the Kingdom
The Kingdom God are the places where God’s will is being done on earth is it is heaven
SIGNS of THE KINGDOM from ISAIAH:
Salvation and Deliverance
Righteousness and Justice
Peace
Joy
God’s Presence
Healing
Return from Exile
Longings for things to be made right is fulfilled in Jesus
Discussion Questions
Why is it good to be in a condition of hunger or thirst?
How do we try to avoid or escape the feelings of hunger and thirst for righteousness?
What does it look like to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
What does it look like to be filled now?
What does it mean to be confident in the future filling as the Kingdom comes?
Guided Prayer
Silence / Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it, if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused. Consider how inseparable the Coming of Gods Kingdom is from righteousness and justice. If we desire him to be king, we simultaneously desirechange in our world towards righteousness:
Psalm 89:14 (ESV): “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.”
Supplemental Content
Jesus expressed that he fulfills our hunger over and over again in his ministry:
To the woman at the well
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” —John 4:13-14to those who experience the miracle of his feeding the five thousand
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. —John 6:34–36to this gathered at the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. —John 7:37–39