June 26 - Small Group Guide

Published July 30, 2026
June 26 - Small Group Guide

Week 5 Small Group Guide

Living Between the Wheat and the Weeds

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43                                                                                               
 God is at work even when evil seems to be growing alongside good.

Key Question: Can I trust God when I don't understand what He's allowing?

Opener


     
  • What is something you've had to wait a long time for that turned out to be worth it?

    •  
  • Have you ever judged a situation too early, only to discover later that there was more happening than you realized?

Waiting is difficult because we naturally want immediate answers and immediate justice. Jesus' parable reminds us that God often works on a different timetable than we would choose.

Read the Passage Matthew 13:24–30, then Matthew 13:36–43

What stands out to you the most in this story?

1. Evil Is Real—but It Doesn't Surprise God

Jesus doesn't pretend evil doesn't exist. The weeds were real. The enemy was real. Yet none of it surprised the owner of the field.

Discuss


     
  • Why do you think Jesus acknowledged the reality of evil instead of explaining it away?

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  • When have you struggled to understand why God allowed something difficult?

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  • How does it encourage you to know that nothing catches God by surprise?

Scripture


     
  • Romans 8:28

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  • Psalm 46:1–3

Takeaway: God is never caught off guard. Even when we don't understand His plans, we can trust His character.

2. God's Timing Is Different Than Ours

The servants
wanted immediate action. The owner wanted wise action. Sometimes waiting feels like God isn't doing anything. In reality, He may be protecting something we cannot yet see.

Discuss


     
  • Why is waiting so difficult for us?

    •  
  • Can you think of a time when looking back helped you understand God's timing?

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  • How does God's patience demonstrate His love?

Scripture


     
  • 2 Peter 3:9

    •  
  • Isaiah 55:8–9

Takeaway God's delays are not wasted time. His patience creates opportunities for grace.

3. Focus on Growing Wheat

The servants became focused on the weeds. The farmer stayed focused on the wheat. It's easy to spend more energy complaining about darkness than becoming light.

Discuss


     
  • What "weeds" consume your attention?

    •  
  • How can Christians avoid becoming obsessed with everything wrong in culture?

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  • What would it look like to intentionally grow spiritual fruit this week?

Scripture


     
  • Galatians 5:22–23

    •  
  • Matthew 5:14–16

Reflection: Finish this sentence: "Instead of focusing on ________, I need to focus on becoming more like Jesus by ________."

4. The Harvest Is Coming

The story doesn't end with evil winning. Jesus reminds us that justice is coming. The harvest belongs to God.

Discuss


     
  • Why is it important to remember that God will ultimately make everything right?

    •  
  • How does knowing the ending change how we live today?
     

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  • How does this truth give hope when life feels unfair?
     

Scripture


     
  • Revelation 21:1–5

    •  
  • Romans 12:19

Takeaway: God's justice may not come immediately, but it is certain.

Application


     
  • Where have you recently questioned God's timing?

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  • Is there an area where you've mistaken God's patience for His absence?

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  • Are you spending more time worrying about weeds than growing spiritually?

    •  
  • What is one practical way you can trust God more this week?

Write one sentence completing: This week I will trust God by...

Four Truths to Remember


     
  1. God notices every weed before we do.

    2.  
  2. God's patience is evidence of His mercy, not His indifference.

    3.  
  3. Our calling is to grow faithful lives, not obsess over evil.

    4.  
  4. The harvest is coming, and Jesus will make everything right.

Gospel Connection

This parable ultimately points us to Jesus. On Good Friday, it looked as though evil had won. The cross appeared to be the triumph of darkness. But God was accomplishing salvation through what looked like defeat. The resurrection reminds us that God's greatest work often happens beneath the surface before anyone can see it. Because Jesus lives, we know that evil never gets the final word.

Pray:


     
  • For trust when life doesn't make sense.

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  • For patience while waiting on God.

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  • For hope in difficult circumstances.

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  • For courage to continue growing spiritually.

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  • For people who have not yet trusted Christ while there is still time to respond to His grace.

This Week's Challenge

Every day this week, when you see discouraging news, experience disappointment, or wonder why God hasn't acted, pause and pray:

"Lord, help me trust the Farmer even when I can't yet see the harvest."

Then ask yourself:


     
  • Am I focusing on the weeds?

    •  
  • Or am I faithfully growing where God has planted me?

Remember:

Don't confuse God's patience with His absence. God is doing far more than you can see.