EXPLORE THE TEXT
Take seriously the fact
that all people will bear responsibility for how they respond to Jesus.
20 Then he proceeded to denounce the towns
where most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent:
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago.
22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will go down to Hades.
For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today.
24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Note Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Capernaum are on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus was calling out cities where residents had seen Him work miracles.
This privilege came with great responsibility
to demonstrate faith, a responsibility that many residents failed to embrace.
Share the following content from page 104 of the PSG and
highlight the contrast:
Jesus indicted [Bethsaida and Chorazin]
by pointing to two notoriously pagan Gentile cities, Tyre and Sidon.
These two cities had been dreaded enemies of ancient Israel.
Jesus said if they had seen
the same miracles the inhabitants of Chorazin had seen,
they would have expressed repentance by wearing the mourning clothes
of sackcloth with ashes poured over their heads as a sign of grief. .[For Capernaum], Sodom was the example.
Throughout the Old Testament, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
served as the prime example of wickedness before God.
Jesus pronounced a warning to the cities that had the greater opportunities to witness His miracles.
Note that the application point for these verses warns us
to take seriously the fact that all people will bear responsibility for how they respond to Jesus.
Encourage adults to consider if their understanding of who Jesus is
and what He has done for them needs an adjustment.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 106 of the Personal Study Guide.
Encourage the group to think about which of the following represents the greatest challenge for them: doubts about Jesus, being sensitive to God’s work, or accepting the responsibilities of our walk with Jesus. Spend a few minutes discussing their responses and why they made those choices.
Direct adults to read silently the first set of questions on page 106 of the PSG and to identify reasons believers might struggle with doubts about Jesus. After a few minutes, lead a brief discussion about their answers. Allow them to suggest ways they can support one another without alienation or condemnation of honest questions.
Invite adults to take a few minutes to pray silently about any doubts or struggles they might be facing. After a minute or so, encourage them to pray for the person on their left and right. Close the session in prayer, asking God to give adults the courage to face their doubts and to seek ways to demonstrate their faith in genuine ways this week.
Text or email the group and assure them that you are praying for any struggles they may be having. Invite them to send you a personal message describing their struggles if appropriate. Encourage them to read and reflect on the second set of questions on page 106 of the PSG. Affirm that you are willing to help them connect with a mentor who can walk with them.
The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. (See
Luke 16:19-26; 2 Peter 3:7-13.)
Use a Bible atlas and Bible dictionary (print version or on the internet) to locate and learn about places mentioned in Scripture.
Find the location of Tyre, Sidon, Sodom, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum in a Bible atlas or map. Then use a Bible dictionary to learn more about these locations. What are some significant facts about these cities that Jesus emphasized?