1. In 1 John 3:9 we are told, “Those who have born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God.” How does this verse resemble the opening sermon illustration about the ‘mother dough’ and how it is used in sourdough baking? How does it make you feel to know that God has hidden himself inside of you? How does this fact support the Methodist understanding of holiness and God bringing us to perfection?

2. When you trace the ‘remnant’ of Israel in the Old Testament (from Noah to Shem, from Shem to Abraham, etc.), why do you think God approached salvation from this angle instead of another way?

3. How are the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast similar? How are they different? Why do you think that Jesus told these short parables back-to-back?

4. Have you ever heard of the Old Testament passages Pastor Dustin shared about the great trees and the birds building nests in the boughs? Do you think Jesus was referencing these passages in the parable of the mustard seed? Why or why not?

5. Pastor Dustin explained that the ‘three measures of flour’ in the parable of the yeast equals 10 gallons or 60 pounds of flour. Why do you think Jesus used such a large amount of flour in his story?

6. How did the final parable of the message relate to Jesus’ parables? What do you think of this parable?