series artseries art

Cursing of the Fig Tree

18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” MATTHEW 21:18-22 NLT

I CAN APPEAR SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY WHILE QUIETLY LIVING DISCONNECTED FROM GOD

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. REVELATION 3:1-2 NLT

Is my faith feeding anyone else around me?

“There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” Archbishop Oscar Romero

PRAYER IS THE ROOT WHERE SPIRITUAL FRUIT GROWS

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. JOHN 15:5 NLT

21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” MATTHEW 21:21-22 NLT

What in my life has kept me from prayer?

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” GALATIANS 3:13 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What’s your experience with growing a fruit-bearing plant or even just keeping one alive? What did that teach you about growth?
  2. START HERE: How do you measure spiritual health? What do spiritual growth and fruit actually look like in real life?
  3. START HERE: If you had to describe your spiritual life in terms of seed, growing leaves, bearing fruit, or quietly withering, where are you? Why?
  4. KEEP GOING: Have you ever gone through a season where you looked spiritually “fine” on the outside, but felt disconnected from God on the inside? What did that look like?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 21:18-22 (NLT). Why do you think Jesus responded so strongly to a tree that had leaves, but no fruit? What does this reveal about what matters to Jesus in our lives?
  6. KEEP GOING: When it comes to your faith, where do you see a gap between appearance and reality? [Leaders, go first. Remember, we all have gaps, that’s why we’re here.]
  7. KEEP GOING: What in your life slowly pulls you away from prayer: noise, busyness, fatigue, distraction, or productivity? How does that drift usually happen for you?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read John 15:5 (NLT). How would you respond if Jesus asked: What in your life requires you to depend upon me?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: If fruit grows slowly, what’s one small, realistic practice you could commit to for the next 7 days that would deepen your connection with God?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Who around you might be spiritually hungry right now? What would it look like for your life to nourish theirs this week?