EXPLORE THE TEXT
Loyalty to Jesus is more important than any other loyalty.
32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others,
I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
33 But whoever denies me before others,
I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.
34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth.
I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Proclaiming Jesus to the world isn’t just a good idea.
Jesus actually tied it to our identity as His people.
Note that we can share Jesus boldly with others
because we know that He is our advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1).
Rejecting Him comes with its own consequences.
Summarize the following content from page 94 of the PSG:
“Those who honor Jesus will be honored by Christ
before the very throne of God. .Denying Jesus can be done either actively or passively.
That is, it can be an outward declaration of rejection
or take the form of a silent failure to acknowledge and follow Him.
Either way, Jesus pointed to the consequences.
The consequences would be simple: He will also deny those who deny Him.”
In many ways, Jesus is the most polarizing person in human history.
This means those who follow Him will face hostile opposition from those who hate Him.
But while He cannot promise peace every moment of our lives here on earth,
He does promise eternal blessing and peace
to all who demonstrate loyalty to Him as residents of His kingdom.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 96 of the Personal Study Guide.
Group the adults into teams of three or four and give each team a sheet of paper and pen. Direct them to write the word “loyal” down the side of the paper in the form of an acrostic. Instruct the teams to use the letters in the word to identify specific ways believers can show loyalty to Christ on a daily basis. After a few minutes, allow a volunteer from each team to share their work. Write their responses on the board.
Encourage the group to consider the first set of questions on page 96 of the PSG. Using the idea on the board, lead a brief discussion on how the adults can hold one another accountable for living out their loyalty to Jesus in meaningful ways. Remind them that believers are called to encourage one another toward good works in love.
Close the session in prayer, asking God to help each adult know how to stand firm in the face of persecution. Thank the Lord that nothing happens in the lives of His children outside of His sovereign care
and protection.
Text or email the group during the week and encourage them to look for opportunities to take a stand for Jesus, even when it might be difficult. Encourage them to read and reflect on the second set of questions on page 96 of the PSG. Suggest they rate their current level of loyalty to Jesus and to pray for His wisdom and guidance as they seek to become more loyal to Him each day.
The Holy Spirit enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. (See Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13-14.)
Create a compare/contrast chart to study a passage.
In Matthew 10:16-20,26-34, Jesus used three pairs of metaphors in preparing the disciples for their mission. Create a chart with three columns. In one column list the metaphors (sheep and wolves, serpents and doves, sparrows and hairs). In the second column, write brief summaries of the truths communicated in the metaphors. In the third column, write how each applies to you using “I will” or “I can” statements.