December 13, 2020

Matthew 10:16

1. Pastor Nate began by comparing & contrasting the vision of life presented by the health, wealth, & prosperity gospel to the words of Jesus in today's passage. 

-What is the vision of life portrayed by the health, wealth, & prosperity gospel?

-How can we present the gospel to others faithfully rather than drift into a prosperity gospel message?

2. Pastor Nate then read a host of passages that speak of the difficulty of following Christ...Matthew 5:10-11, 10:17-18, 10:21-22, 10:38; Romans 8:36; 1 Corinthians 4:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12.

-How can we be intentional to care for our brothers & sisters around the world who are experiencing direct suffering for the cause of Christ?

-What are the ways we can expect to experience hostility for following Christ?

-How does it change a person when they come to treasure Christ above all else?

3. We then moved to look at the phrase, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves..."

-We were told that this being sent out is part of the ministry of reconciliation. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-20...what is the ministry of reconciliation?

-What are the ways that each of you in your community group can be intentional ministers of reconciliation?

4. Next we looked at the two instructions given: be wise as serpents & innocent as doves.

-We heard that to be wise as a serpent is to live skillfully rather than with naivete. How can we be prepared to engage a world that is actively hostile to Christ, His words, & His people?

-We also heard from James 1:5 that wisdom is seen through prayer. How does prayer demonstrate wisdom?

-To "be innocent as doves" is to live righteously...to be distinct from the world. How are people brought to the point where they can pursue righteous living?

-What does it look like to pursue righteous living in light of your position in life right now?