Read Matt. 13:33. Jesus is saying that God is at work in the world in a way that is similar to yeast being at work in bread dough. I identified the Woman as the God figure, the yeast as God's people (church) in the world, and the flour as the 6.5 billion people of the world.

I think the story is about the "Hidden Greatness" of the Kingdom of God. The greatness is hidden because it is small, secret, and seemingly insignificant when compared with the world. As the flour dwarfs the yeast so the world dwarfs, surrounds, and hides the kingdom of God. Yet Jesus says that tiny, insignificant groups have a powerful, pervading influence on the world.

1. Johnny the Bagger, the 19 year old man with Down's Syndrome inserted a "Thought for the Day" in grocery bags and transformed the store. How are we like Johnny the bagger? What might we do to transform our world?

2. What do you think of Pastor Joe's phrase, "Believe in Jesus because he believes in you?

3. What kinds of things can Jesus followers do in secret that God will use to change the way people experience life? What does Matt. 6:1-25 have to teach us about this?

4. How is the yeast metaphor like and unlike Jesus' other metaphors about our being the salt of the earth and the light of the world? (Matt. 5:13-16)

5. What did you think about Pastor Joe's term, "the apologetic of reality?" Do you think it is realistic that having non-judgmental conversation and being hopeful, loving good people is more effective than argument for giving people persuasive reasons to believe in Jesus or move in his direction? (Read 1 Peter 3:15; John 13:34; Matt. 5:16 for background)

6. Pastor Joe said that when we Christians have been at our best we have been on the forefront of societal change, and that now it is time to be at our best. He then mentioned several areas that Christians could influence including poverty, education, violence, a value for life, marriage, and peacemaking. How might Christian's effect these issues in our world? Are there other issues that you would add to the list? What issues do you think hold the highest priority?