SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

- Did their request for a sign from heaven in Matthew 16:1 mean the Pharisees wanted to believe Jesus was the Messiah? Are there people in your life who dismiss Jesus because they are already convinced he can't be who he says he is? How would you share the gospel with someone like that?

- When Jesus warns his disciples in verse 6 about leaven, what did his disciples initially think he was talking about? What was Jesus really talking about? How would you describe what he meant by "leaven"; what are we to watch out for?

- In Matthew 16:23, Jesus is rebuking Peter for rebuking him. Considering Peter had, in verse 15, already confessed his belief that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, why would Jesus rebuke Peter? Like Peter, are there times we have wrong expectations of Jesus?

- Everyone has to decide who Jesus is. Who do you say he is? Share how you came to believe this, and why.