This small group discussion guide draws directly from Chad Morton's sermon “6-14-2026 Sunday Morning Service” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Small Group Discussion Guide
Turning Theologians on Their Heads
Based on Mark 12:35–40
For the Facilitator: This guide is designed to help your group engage meaningfully with Sunday's sermon. You don't need to be a theological expert to lead well — your most important job is to ask good questions, listen well, and create a safe space for honest conversation. Feel free to skip questions that don't fit your group, and never feel pressured to cover everything. Authentic conversation matters more than completing the guide.
OVERVIEW
In this message from Mark 12:35–40, Jesus takes control of the conversation by asking the most important question of all: Who is the Messiah, really? By pointing to Psalm 110, Jesus reveals that the Christ is not merely a human descendant of David — he is also David's Lord, fully divine, fully human. The message closes with a sobering warning: those who receive God's truth bear greater responsibility for how they respond to it, and religious hypocrisy carries serious consequences.
Key Takeaway from the Sermon: Jesus's identity as the true God-man demands genuine devotion.
BEFORE YOUR GROUP MEETS
Read ahead of time:
- Mark 12:35–40
- Psalm 110:1
- 2 Peter 1:20–21
Pray for your group — that each person would encounter Jesus freshly this week, not just learn facts about him.
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Start here to warm up the group and ease into the conversation. This question is light and fun — there are no wrong answers.
Opening Question:
Think of a time when someone asked you a question that completely stumped you — maybe in school, at work, or even in a family conversation. What was the question, and how did it feel to not have a ready answer?
[Leader Tip]: Let a few people share briefly. This sets up the sermon's theme naturally — Jesus asked a question that stumped the most educated religious experts of his day. You can transition by saying something like: "Today's passage is about a moment when Jesus turned the tables and asked the question that no one could answer."
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5 minutes)
Have someone in the group read the passage aloud. You may want to ask two people to take turns — one reading verses 35–37, another reading verses 38–40.
Mark 12:35–40 (NASB)
And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet."' David himself calls Him 'Lord'; so in what sense is He his son?" And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.
In His teaching He was saying: "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows' houses, and for appearance's sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation."
Psalm 110:1 (The passage Jesus quoted)
The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."
Brief Context for the Facilitator to Share:
In Jesus's day, the "scribes" were the Bible scholars and religious teachers — the most educated theological minds in Israel. They had been questioning and testing Jesus all day. Now Jesus turns the tables and asks them a question. The Messiah everyone was waiting for — was he just a great human king descended from David, or was he something more? Jesus uses Psalm 110 to show that David himself called the coming Messiah "my Lord," which means the Messiah had to be more than just a human descendant. He had to be divine.
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes)
Work through these questions as time allows. Questions are arranged from easier to deeper. You do not need to cover all of them — choose 5–7 that feel right for your group.
THEME A: Jesus Takes the Conversation
Questions 1–2 focus on what's happening in the passage and why it matters.
Question 1 (Observational — start here)
The sermon noted that Jesus had been answering challenging questions from religious leaders all day. What does it tell us about Jesus that he didn't just walk away after "winning" the debate — but instead asked his own question?
[Leader Tip]: This is a good warm-up question. Encourage people to think about Jesus's intentionality. There's no single right answer — you're looking for observations like: he was purposeful, he wasn't defensive, he wanted to reveal truth, he was in control of the situation.
Question 2 (Interpretive)
The pastor described Jesus's question about the Messiah as "the question of the ages." In your own words, why is the identity of Jesus the most important question any person can answer?
THEME B: Who Is the Messiah?
Questions 3–5 dig into the heart of the sermon's first point.
Question 3 (Interpretive)
Jesus pointed to Psalm 110:1, where David writes: "The Lord said to my Lord..." The sermon explained that the first "Lord" refers to God the Father, and the second "Lord" refers to the Messiah. What's the puzzle Jesus is pointing out — and why does it matter that the Messiah is both David's son and David's Lord?
[Leader Tip]: Some group members may find this concept tricky. Simplify it this way if needed: "Jesus is asking: if the Messiah is just a human descendant of David, why would David — a king — call his own descendant 'my Lord'? A father doesn't bow to his son. So the Messiah must be more than human." The key insight is that Jesus is fully human AND fully divine.
Question 4 (Personal and reflective)
The sermon referenced C.S. Lewis's famous "Liar, Lunatic, or Lord" argument — that Jesus's claims leave us no comfortable middle ground. He can't simply be "a good teacher" if his claims about himself are true.
How did you personally come to terms with who Jesus is? Was there a moment, a season, or a gradual realization? What helped you move from knowing about Jesus to knowing him?
[Leader Tip]: This question invites personal testimony. Be ready to share your own story briefly to model vulnerability. If the group is quiet, try: "Even if you're still working this out, what's one thing that has shifted your thinking about Jesus?" Be sensitive to those who may be newer to faith or still exploring.
Question 5 (Application)
The sermon emphasized that Jesus is 100% human and 100% divine. Why does it matter that Jesus was fully human — not just God in disguise? And why does it matter that he was fully God — not just an extraordinary human being?
Which of these two truths is more meaningful to you personally right now, and why?
THEME C: The Warning About Religious Hypocrisy
Questions 6–8 explore the second half of the passage.
Question 6 (Observational)
In verses 38–40, Jesus warns the crowd about the scribes. He lists several specific behaviors: loving public recognition, demanding status, taking seats of honor, exploiting vulnerable people, and performing showy prayers.
What do all of these behaviors have in common? What does Jesus seem to be most concerned about underneath all of them?
Question 7 (Personal and honest)
The pastor made a striking statement: "One of the most dangerous places as a theologian is to be in a Bible-believing church that faithfully proclaims the gospel." His point was that the more truth we receive, the greater our accountability.
Have you ever noticed a gap between what you know to be true and how you actually live? What makes it hard to let biblical knowledge move from our heads into our hearts and habits?
[Leader Tip]: This question requires a safe environment. Model honesty by acknowledging your own struggles. Affirm that this tension is common to all believers — the goal isn't guilt, but growth. If the conversation stalls, you can ask: "What's one area of your faith where you feel like your knowledge has outpaced your practice?"
Question 8 (Community-focused)
The scribes were guilty of exploiting widows — the most vulnerable people in their society. The sermon connected this to the command to love others genuinely (from last week's message).
Who are the "widows" in our community today — the people most easily overlooked or taken advantage of? What would it look like for our group to pay attention to them?
THEME D: Accountability and Response
Questions 9–10 bring the message to a personal conclusion.
Question 9 (Application)
The sermon closed with a call to decision: Jesus's identity demands a response. There's no neutral ground.
For those who have already committed to following Jesus — how does knowing who Jesus truly is (fully God, fully human) change the way you approach your everyday life, decisions, and relationships?
Question 10 (Community)
James 3:1 says: "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." The pastor applied this broadly — every believer who hears God's Word taught carries increased accountability.
As a group, how can we help each other stay humble and honest — growing in knowledge without becoming proud or complacent?
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
These questions are for quieter, more personal reflection. You may want to give people 2–3 minutes of silent thought before sharing, or invite people to journal their responses.
Reflection 1 — The Identity Question:
Jesus's question to the scribes is ultimately a question for each of us: Who do you say that Jesus is? Not just theologically — but practically, in the way you live. If someone watched your daily life this week, what would they conclude about who Jesus is to you?
Reflection 2 — Honesty About Hypocrisy:
The scribes' problem wasn't a lack of knowledge — it was a disconnect between their knowledge and their character. Is there an area of your life where you know what's right but haven't yet surrendered it to God? What would it look like to take one step toward alignment this week?
Reflection 3 — Genuine Devotion:
The sermon's key takeaway was: "Jesus's identity as the true God-man demands genuine devotion." What does "genuine devotion" look like for you in this season of life — not as a performance, but as a real response to who Jesus is?
✅ THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one (or more) that fits where you are:
Pray the question: Each morning this week, begin your prayer by saying, "Jesus, you are my Lord" — and let that truth shape how you approach your day.
Read Psalm 110 in full and reflect on how it points to Jesus. Consider looking up one or two of the Old Testament Messiah passages from the sermon (Isaiah 9:6–7, Micah 5:2–5, Jeremiah 23:5–6) and spend time sitting with what they say about who Jesus is.
Identify a gap: Pick one area where your knowledge of God's truth hasn't yet changed your behavior. Write it down, pray over it, and share it with one trusted person this week.
Look for the vulnerable: This week, intentionally notice someone in your sphere of life who might be overlooked — and do one concrete thing to acknowledge, help, or encourage them.
SECTION 5: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. You may pray as a group, in pairs, or have the facilitator lead. Use these suggested focuses:
1. Praise — Thank God that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. He understands our struggles and has the power to save.
2. Confession — Ask God to reveal any areas where knowledge has not yet become genuine devotion — where we know the truth but haven't fully surrendered to it.
3. Others — Pray for people in your lives who are still wrestling with the question of who Jesus is. Ask God to give them eyes to see and hearts to receive.
4. Humility — Pray for protection against the pride and hypocrisy Jesus warned about — that your group would remain hungry for truth and humble in heart.
5. Courage — Ask God for the courage to live out what you know this week — not to perform, but to genuinely follow the Lord who gave everything for you.
Suggested Closing Prayer (for facilitators who'd like a guide):
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are not just a great teacher or a historical figure — you are the Christ, the Messiah, fully God and fully human. Thank you that you took control of the conversation in the temple because you wanted people to know the truth about you. Help us to know that truth more deeply this week — not just in our minds, but in our hearts and in our lives. Where we have let knowledge outpace character, forgive us and restore us. Where we have been proud, humble us. Where we have overlooked the vulnerable, open our eyes. And for anyone in our group still wrestling with who you are — we ask that you would make yourself known to them. We love you, Lord. Amen.
OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
For Groups Wanting to Go Further
These bonus questions are for groups with extra time or a hunger to dig deeper into the biblical and theological content of the sermon.
Deep Dive 1 — The Divine Inspiration of Scripture:
The sermon quoted 2 Peter 1:20–21: "No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." Jesus himself said David wrote Psalm 110 "in the Holy Spirit."
What does it mean to you that the Bible is both a human book and a divine book? How does the doctrine of inspiration affect the way you read and trust Scripture? Are there parts of the Bible you find harder to trust — and what would it look like to bring those honestly to God?
Deep Dive 2 — Greater Accountability:
The sermon referenced Luke 12:48: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required." It also noted that hell will not be equal in its punishment — some will face greater condemnation than others (as Jesus said of the scribes in verse 40).
How does the idea of degrees of judgment and accountability shape the way you think about your responsibility as a follower of Jesus? Does this feel motivating, sobering, or uncomfortable — and why?
Deep Dive 3 — The Liar, Lunatic, or Lord Trilemma:
C.S. Lewis argued that Jesus's claims about himself eliminate the "comfortable middle ground" of calling him merely a great moral teacher.
Do you find Lewis's argument compelling? How would you use this reasoning in a conversation with someone who respects Jesus but doesn't believe he is God? What are the strongest objections to this argument — and how would you respond to them?
QUICK REFERENCE: KEY SCRIPTURES FROM THE SERMON
| Passage | Theme |
|---|---|
| Mark 12:35–40 | Main text — Jesus's question about the Messiah |
| Psalm 110:1 | David calls the Messiah "my Lord" |
| 2 Samuel 7:16 | God's covenant with David — an eternal throne |
| Isaiah 9:6–7 | The child to be born — Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God |
| Micah 5:2 | The Messiah born in Bethlehem |
| Jeremiah 23:5–6 | The righteous Branch of David |
| 2 Peter 1:20–21 | The Holy Spirit's role in Scripture |
| Matthew 23:11–12 | True greatness is found in humility and service |
| Luke 12:48 | Greater revelation brings greater responsibility |
| James 3:1 | Teachers face a stricter judgment |
FACILITATOR CHECKLIST
Before your group meets, make sure you have:
- Read the passage (Mark 12:35–40) and the sermon notes
- Prayed for each person in your group by name
- Selected 5–7 discussion questions that fit your group
- Decided how you'll handle the application section (group share or personal reflection)
- Prepared a brief personal story or answer for at least one question (to model vulnerability)
- Noted any members who might be newer to faith (be ready to explain theological terms simply)
- Set a timer or kept an eye on the clock so prayer doesn't get cut short
This guide was prepared for small group use based on the sermon "Turning Theologians on Their Heads" from Mark 12:35–40. Permission granted for local church use.