Accountability and Support
“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Monthly Focus on Nurturing Relationship with Christ
When was I most aware of Christ’s presence in my life during the past 30 days? Why?
Discussion Questions for September 06, 2026 (A) Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Thus says the LORD:
You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel;
when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.
If I tell the wicked, "O wicked one, you shall surely die, "
and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way,
the wicked shall die for his guilt,
but I will hold you responsible for his death.
But if you warn the wicked,
trying to turn him from his way,
and he refuses to turn from his way,
he shall die for his guilt,
but you shall save yourself.
First Reading Discussion Questions
F1. God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman responsible for speaking difficult truths. When is it hardest for you to have a necessary but uncomfortable conversation?
F2. How do you discern the difference between correcting someone out of love and criticizing them out of frustration?
Second Reading
Romans 13:8-10
Brothers and sisters:
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery;
you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, "
and whatever other commandment there may be,
are summed up in this saying, namely,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Love does no evil to the neighbor;
hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.
Second Reading Discussion Questions
S1. Paul says the only debt we should continually owe is love. What does that look like in practical terms in your daily relationships?
S2. How does genuine love change the way we approach conflict, disagreement, or correction?
Gospel Reading
Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
"If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you,
so that 'every fact may be established
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
If he refuses to listen even to the church,
then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, amen, I say to you,
if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."
Gospel Reading Discussion Questions
G1. Jesus outlines a process for addressing conflict directly and privately. How do you typically handle conflict: with avoidance, confrontation, or something else?
G2. Have you ever experienced a conflict that ultimately strengthened a relationship? What made the difference?
Suggested Strategies for Managing the Clock
For those with smaller groups or those who have the luxury of enough allotted time, it is suggested that the group cover each question from the monthly focus through the Gospel discussion questions
For those with larger groups or don't have the luxury of operating on God's Time, it is suggested that the group cover the monthly focus question and then feel free to skip around and attempt to answer only a few questions - whether that’s just the gospel, or the second reading and gospel, etc.