Carefully Think
- Read Matthew 10:26-33.
- Sum up the main theme of this passage in one sentence.
- How does this passage fit with the previous verses (primarily 10:24-25 and the theme of persecution for disciple-making)?
- Make a list of reasons why disciples of Jesus should not be fearful of persecution.
- What is it (based on this context - look primarily at vv 32-33 for help) that is hidden and secret that will be revealed and known?
- What does 10:28 say about the pain of persecution versus the pain of hell?
- How does 10:29-31 balance the right kind of fear of God mentioned in 10:28?
- What is at stake if fear continually keeps us from publicly demonstrating our loyalty to Christ (10:32-33)?
Prayerfully Meditate
- When was the last time you found yourself holding back making public comments about your commitment to Christ because of fear? What is it that you feared the most?
- When fear of others changes the way you speak or live for Christ, what does it reveal about how much you fear and trust God?
- How could you confront your fear of people with a much larger vision of God? What characteristics of God should you dwell on more frequently to assit you in being more publicly open about your commitment to Christ?
- How deep is God's personal knowledge and affection for his people (10:30)? How should this affect your confidence in being a disciple-maker?
- How could being controlled by fear of others affect other Christians around you?
Intentionally Act
- Pray specifically for people in your life that you find yourself most likely to shy away from being more overt in your devotion to Christ. Pray that you will gain a greater affection for God than for the affirmation of others and that your confidence in Christ will be a penetrating testimony to those who do not know Christ in your life.
- Who, in our congregation, do you need to pray for, or perhaps give encouragement to, who is often times negatively driven by a fear of others. How could you talk through this passage with them? Find a time this week to pray with them.
- Make a list of reasons why you shy away from a more public Christian witness. Use that list throughout the next week to pray for God's grace to overcome. What passages of Scripture would assist you in thinking through a more biblical response in light of the reasons you have listed?
- Pray for non-Christians who will be present Sunday; that they will see their need for Christ and be convinced of their need to follow Him.
- Pray for our congregation to be lovingly, penetratingly bold in our witness in our spheres of influence throughout the next week.
- Pray for those who will be leading the service; that they will do so in the most edifying manner: Dawson Bryant, music; Rob Stouffer, Elders' Prayer and Scripture Reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
- Listen to the songs we will sing together on Sunday, preparing your heart to sing them together as a church. Meditate on the lyrics.
Songs for Sunday
- Greater Than We Can Imagine (Video)
- Psalm 62 (Video)
- Still My Soul, Be Still (Video)
- All I Have Is Christ (Video)
- Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (Video)
Lyrics
Morning Gathering - October 20, 2013 by Summit Woods Baptist Church