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Week of 6-21-26

Introduction

Freedom is not found in self-preservation but in self-giving. The cross-shaped life Jesus describes here is not an addition to the Gospel — it is the Gospel taking its natural shape in a human life. The one who calls us to this path walked it first and came out the other side of death alive. That is what changes what we are willing to risk.

Matthew 10:24-39

[Jesus said to the twelve:] 24“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

 26“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

 32“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

 34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

     37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

Discovery Questions:

1. Tell a story of a time when a coach, military officer, or teacher told you that the way to success was going to be challenging, hard. On reflection, why did that do this?

2. What would be hardest to lose? 

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3. What do you think Jesus is trying to accomplish in this speech? What is he trying to prevent in how the disciples might respond?

4. Why does Jesus say “Do not be afraid” three times? Is it about being prepared? About how God will provide in a tough time? About working through fear? 

5. Which warning or description is the hardest to receive? Which is the more acceptable? 

6. How many of these warnings of Jesus actually came to pass for the disciples? 

7. How might the truth of Christ divide a family? What then? 

8. How does God provide in the face of challenge? 

9. What do you make of Jesus talking about the cost of discipleship, and today we want to make the faith as uncostly as possible?

10. In Romans, Paul describes the inner motivation of the baptized. Baptism, changes my motivation. I follow Jesus, I do good, not because I have to (to get brownie points), but because I have to (because this is who I am). How does this motivation by grace speak to Jesus’ words in Matthew? 

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11. What motivates you as a follower of Jesus? Why follow Jesus? Why do good? Why take up your cross and follow? 

12. What does verse 39 mean to you? How does one lose one’s life for Christ? OR How could you lose yourself for Christ this week? Is this about effort? About perspective? About priority? 

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Week of 6/14/26

Introduction-- Where You Are Already Sent

We finished a building. But the building was never the destination — your baptism was. Every promise God made to you at that font sends you from this place into the life God has always called you to live. The purpose of God’s call continues. It continues in your neighbor-hood, your workplace, your kitchen table. It continues in you. We are not responsible for the size of the harvest, only for the faithfulness of the work. The Lord of the harvest has not subcontracted the outcome to us.

Matthew 9:35—10:15

35 Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

  10:1 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

  5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. [9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff, for laborers deserve their food. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 

Questions

Discover Questions

1. Who has been a role model in your life? How so? 

2. When you travel, do you bring a lot or not so much with you? 

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3. Why did Jesus have compassion? What motivated Jesus? 

4. Why does Jesus speak of a shortage of labor? He seems to be doing a good job on his own. 

5. Jesus sent them out. At one time, we imagined sending as going to Africa or Asia. Now Africa sends missionaries to USA. What does Jesus sending say to you in your faith journey? Do you imagine you are sent?

6. What does it mean for a congregation to care for its own and to be sent into the community? To care for others? Is this asking too much or can it be done? 

7. How is the harvest plentiful today? What’s the application? 

8. How would you define “Good News?” 

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9. Jesus said travel light, bring no… What do you need to travel? What would it mean to travel lightly here? What is Jesus saying you don’t need?

10. How about for the church to travel lightly? How do we encumber ministry? What could we let go of? What resources of good news or faith does God give us? 

11. Does sending mean you have to go someplace else? Or could it mean going back to the places you already are? How does God send you back to your home, your work, your family, neighborhood? 

12. Within a family, how do these instructions apply? What is Jesus saying is important to do? What does it mean to go lightly?