Wk 3 // September 20 & 21

Wk 3  //  GOD’S MASTERPIECE
September 20 & 21, 2025
Small Group Study


SERMON RECAP

Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES. 

• What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
• Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
• Was there anything that challenged you?

INTRODUCTION

Icebreaker:

• If you could design the perfect community (like a town, a school, or even a club), what’s one thing it would absolutely need to have?

Discussion Starters:

• Share about a time when being part of a community (a team, a class, a group of friends) made a big difference in your life.
• What’s one word you would use to describe the church at its best?
• Why do you think people long to belong somewhere bigger than themselves?
  
  

Jesus knew the deepest needs of humanity (belonging, purpose, and hope). In Matthew 16, He reveals His plan: the church, built on the truth of who He is, would be the hope of the world. Let’s see what He says and how it impacts us today.


UNDERSTANDING

HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ MATTHEW 16:13–17.
 

• Why do you think Jesus began by asking His disciples what other people were saying about Him?
• What’s the significance of Peter declaring, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”?
• How does our personal understanding of who Jesus is shape the way we live out our faith?
  
  

Once Peter confesses who Jesus is, Jesus responds with a powerful promise about the church. He shows us that His movement isn’t just a gathering.  It’s a mission.


HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ MATTHEW 16:18–19.
 

• What does Jesus mean when He says, “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”?
• Why is the church described as unstoppable?
• What do you think Jesus meant when He talked about “the keys of the kingdom”? How does that connect to responsibility for believers today?
  
  

APPLICATION

• Why do you think Jesus chose the church (not individuals alone) as His plan to bring hope to the world?
• What role has the church played in your personal spiritual journey?
• What specific step can you take to help grow and strengthen the church (through serving, inviting, giving, or encouraging)?
  
  

The church is not just a building; it’s God’s family on mission. Every believer has a role, and together we get to live out the hope of Jesus in a broken world.


PRAYER

Pray for the global church and for your local church to be strong, unified, and faithful to its mission. Ask God to give each group member clarity about their role and courage to take a step in serving His church this week.