God Of The Living
Matthew 22:23-33 (ESV)
Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”
But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Study Guide Questions:
Observation Questions
Observation Questions focus on gathering facts and identifying key details. This can include repeated words, themes, and characters). Observation asks "what does the text say?" not "what does the text mean?" It is not intended to go into interpretation or life application yet. Observations provide a crucial foundation for accurate interpretation and application, preventing misconceptions.
What observations do you note in today's passage?
Please note that these questions are intended to help the community group member learn what types observations could be made in the passage...
What details in the Sadducees’ story were meant to make resurrection seem ridiculous?
What are the two specific things the Sadducees do not know?
What does Jesus say will and will not continue in the resurrection life?
Interpretation Questions
Interpretation Questions focus on interpreting what has been observed. The goal is to try to understand the original author's intended meaning and purpose for the intended audience. Interpretation bridges observations with life applications. It will consider key terms, explores context, and answers "why" to uncover the main point.
What are some key points that resonated with you from the message or from your observations above?
Jesus says the Sadducees know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. How can a person know a lot of religious content and still miss both of those things?
The Sadducees assume resurrection must just be this life continued with the same structures. Why is that such a small view of eternity, and how does Jesus open up a bigger hope?
If marriage is not carried into heaven in the same form, why does that not make marriage less meaningful now? How does it actually give marriage its proper place?
God says, “I am the God of Abraham,” not “I was.” What does that reveal about God’s covenant love and his relationship to his people through death?
Life Application Questions
Life Application questions are intended to transform knowledge gleaned from observations and interpretations to practical application in your life. These questions are intended to move the facilitator and the participant from understanding what the text meant to how it applies to daily life. Life application questions are intended to transform listeners into doers, bridging biblical truth with current circumstances to foster personal transformation and spiritual maturity.
What is your key take away from the message?
Finances often reveal what a person believes about eternity. What patterns in spending, saving, or giving might show that your heart is holding too tightly to this world?
A hard marriage is not ultimate, and a beautiful marriage is not ultimate either. How could that truth bring needed perspective to someone who is discouraged in marriage, grieving the loss of marriage, longing for marriage, or deeply thankful for marriage?
Heaven gives more, not less. Which earthly relationship or experience is most tempting to treat as the final thing? What might change if that relationship were seen as a shadow pointing beyond itself?
Resurrection hope is meant to enter dark valleys now, not only comfort people later. What is one valley being walked through at the moment, and what would it look like for the power of Jesus’ resurrection to reshape that place without pretending the pain is small?