EXPLORE THE TEXT
We can know that following Jesus is worth it,
no matter what it costs-the greatest reward being eternal life.
27 Then Peter responded to him,
“See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you,
in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,
you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or fields
because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Peter’s statement and question
sounds greedy or self-serving.
However, he probably
was trying to process what Jesus was saying.
He may have been confused
and wondered how the sacrifices he and the other disciples
had made fit into Jesus’s bigger plan.
Jesus did not chastise Peter,
but pointed him beyond worldly rewards toward eternity.
Summarize this information from pages 69-70 of the PSG to
highlight what Jesus promised:
“To the disciples, Jesus gave the promise
that they would also sit on twelve thrones
and judge over the twelve tribes of Israel. .The reference to the twelve tribes of Israel
might refer to the actual tribes of Israel
or could be a reference to all of God’s redeemed people. .Jesus next included all those who make Him their priority.
They, too, will be rewarded.
Everyone who forsakes everything and everyone
because of my name will be rewarded a hundred times more.
The reward of a hundred times more speaks of a reward that is out of proportion to what is sacrificed.
It will be much more than is expected. .On the other hand, people like the rich young ruler
may be regarded as first in this life,
but in the judgment to come will find they are last
and left out of God’s heavenly reward.”
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 71 of the Personal Study Guide:
Challenge adults to reconsider their work ethic in terms of faith.
Direct adults to read the first set of questions on page 71 of the PSG. Remind adults that, while hard work is noble and good in many areas of life, it’s not a way to connect with God. Challenge the group to consider how to receive salvation and God’s daily blessings as His gift of grace, not as a payment for hard work.
Close by giving adults an opportunity to pray, assigning one person to open and another to close. Encourage adults to consider their own tendency to “work” for their salvation and blessings, as well as how they might better yield to God, accepting His free gift of grace.
This week, spend time praying for each adult, especially those who may need to speak with you about the Plan of Salvation. Text or call each person, thanking them for being in the group and offering to pray for them. Send a text or email to the larger group, encouraging them to read and reflect on the second set of questions on
page 71 of the PSG. Remind them that anything they give up to follow Jesus is not really lost.
There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. (See John 14:6; Acts 4:12.)
Dig deeper into a doctrine or biblical teaching.
Compare Jesus’s teachings in Matthew 19:16-22 to Matthew 6:19-24. Identify Jesus’s statements in chapter 6 that are represented in the life of the would-be disciple in chapter 19. Reflect on the following: How might possessions become detrimental to a believers’ commitment to follow Jesus? What are some things that God might be calling you to surrender in order to follow Him?