STUDY NOTES
HELL // A SERIES AT NEW CITY CHURCH
www.newcityphx.com/sermons

The following content is based on the message “Hell (Who the…)” spoken on 09/18/16 by Brian Kruckenberg at New City Church in Phoenix, AZ. The following is not meant to be a full synopsis of the message but rather a brief look at the main ideas. To use this Study Guide effectively you must listen to the message found at https://newcityphx.com/sermons/.

Leaders using these Study Notes for group study and reflection should read the Biblical text thoroughly before beginning, using this resource as assistance and not relying solely on this material for insight. We encourage all leaders to pray and ask the Spirit for revelation as they lead their respective communities.

PRAYER

Pray and ask God to lead the discussion as everyone gets to share.

THE SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 25:31-46

WHO’S WHO?

Jesus uses the imagery of a shepherd separating sheep and goats in order to show his disciples what the final judgment will look like. Sheep and goats can look similar at a glance, but a true shepherd can see the difference. Jesus is the true Shepherd and the only one who can rightfully separate people like sheep and goats. However, when talking specifically about hell and judgement, Jesus says to look for some things in those who believe. We can look at the fruit in someone’s life—particularly our own life, because it is not just about what we say, but it is about what we do.

• When you read the Matthew 25 passage, do you think of the way you live, or the way that others live?

WHAT DO SHEEP LOOK LIKE?

Sheep are saved by the Good Shepherd with His grace. Read Ephesians 2:8-9.

• How is it difficult for you, or easy for you, to believe in salvation by grace alone?

Sometimes when talking about grace, we forget to read the rest of this passage. Read Ephesians 2:10. A consistent theme in Scripture is that we are saved by grace in order to do good works.

Grace is a gift which is responded to in faith and shown by good works.

• What would our lives look like if we talk about grace without talking about how that grace should motivate us to live?

WHAT JESUS SAYS ABOUT HOW SHEEP LIVE

Read Mark 9:42-50.

• Why do you think Jesus’s words are so extreme here?

• What do we do with this extreme language?

WHAT JESUS SAYS ABOUT HOW SHEEP SERVE OTHERS

From the Matthew 25 passage that we read at the beginning, Jesus shares some strong words about serving others.

• Why do you think Jesus says that serving the least of these is like serving him?

WHAT JESUS SAYS ABOUT HOW SHEEP LEAD AND TEACH OTHERS

Many of these passages speak about leaders who do not lead well. This has been a common theme for the people of God. In Ezekiel, God warns the shepherds of Israel against how they lived. Read Ezekiel 34:1-4.

• How does this look like all of our lives, but specifically your life?

WHAT JESUS SAYS ABOUT HOW SHEEP REPENT

Repentance is linchpin to being a follower of Jesus. It is turning from our own will to the will of the Father. Jesus laid down his life for us so that we can repent. He is always there with us, ready for us to turn to him. This is Jesus—read Ezekiel 34:11-16.

• Jesus served us, but why is it so hard to serve others the way He served us?

• Maybe we’ve turned to Christ, but how do we need to repent for the way we have been living?

• How do we need to give ourselves grace, but not let ourselves off the hook for failing to serve others more sacrificially?