Children of Wisdom | Discussion Guide
Summary
In this sermon, Pastor explores Luke 7:31-35 where Jesus compares his generation to children in the marketplace who can never be satisfied. Jesus points out how people rejected both John the Baptist (for being too austere) and Jesus himself (for being too gracious), showing that their resistance wasn’t about the messengers but about the message itself. The pastor explains that every generation faces the same fundamental choice: to be children of foolishness who resist God’s plan and redefine His messengers to fit their preferences, or to be children of wisdom who live according to God’s design.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us. Help us to recognize where we might be resisting Your plan or redefining Your message to fit our preferences. Give us the courage to honestly examine ourselves and the wisdom to follow Your design for our lives. May our discussion lead us to become true children of wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ice Breaker
What generation do you belong to (Greatest Generation, Silent Generation, Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, Gen Z, etc.), and what’s one stereotype about your generation that you think is actually accurate?
Key Verses
Luke 7:31-32
Luke 7:35
Romans 12:2
Isaiah 55:8-9
Questions
Jesus compares his generation to children in the marketplace who can’t be satisfied. In what ways do you see this same attitude in our culture today?
The sermon points out that people rejected both John the Baptist for being too austere and Jesus for being too gracious. Have you ever found yourself rejecting God’s message because you didn’t like the messenger or their approach?
What’s the difference between childlike faith and childish behavior in our spiritual lives?
The pastor said, ‘Every generation will be known by the way they respond to God’s Word.’ How would you describe our current generation’s response to Scripture?
In what areas of your life might you be resisting God’s plan right now?
How have you seen people (or yourself) try to ‘customize Jesus’ to fit their lifestyle rather than conforming to His image?
Jesus promises that ‘wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’ What do you think this means practically in our daily lives?
What’s one step you can take this week to move from resistance to submission in an area where God is working in your life?
Life Application
This week, identify one area where you might be resisting God’s plan or redefining His message to fit your preferences. It could be related to your finances, relationships, time management, or spiritual disciplines. Write down this area of resistance and pray specifically about it each day. Then, take one concrete step toward obedience in this area, even if it feels uncomfortable. Remember that living according to God’s design leads to true blessing, while resistance leads to destruction. Share your experience with someone in the group next week.
Key Takeaways
There are only two categories of people: children of foolishness who resist God’s plan, and children of wisdom who live according to God’s design.
When we resist God’s plan, we often try to redefine the messenger rather than surrender to the message.
Redefining Jesus to fit our lifestyle is easier than conforming ourselves to His image, but it leads to emptiness.
Wisdom is ultimately vindicated (proven right) through the lives of those who follow God’s ways.
Every generation will be known by how they respond to God’s Word.
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word that challenges and transforms us. We confess the times we’ve been childish in our faith, resisting Your plan and trying to redefine You to fit our preferences. Forgive us for customizing Your message rather than allowing it to customize us. Help us to be children of wisdom who trust Your design for our lives, even when it’s difficult or countercultural. May our lives vindicate Your wisdom as we follow You faithfully this week. Give us courage to take that one step of obedience in the area You’ve revealed to us today. In Your name we pray, amen.