This was the last Bible study for the 2007-2008 Genesis year, ‘term’, wrapping up our Renewed thinking, Reformed living theme. There was TONS of good discussion but unfortunately not all of it was recorded down, I will do my best off my memory.
Just a quick note, for this Bible study we traced comfort zone to its’ origin which mainly applies to missions, not that the modern sense of the word is wrong; this is just the approach that we took.
The passage of study that we chose is found in Matthew 10:24-39:
24“A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
26“So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One 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 the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
” ‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
The main discussion questions were:
1. How does verse 25 relate to this entire passage? Beelzebub is the prince of the demons.
2. ‘Do not be afraid’ is mentioned three times, what are they referring to and what do they mean?
3. What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus (verse 38)?
In short verse 39“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” summerizes this entire passage. Being outside of your comfort zone means to be willing to sacrifice our safety, our hopes, and all that missions entails for Christ. Verse specifically talks about giving up of one’s life or even your fear of giving up your life for the sake of the Gospel (martyrdom) and being an apostle and follower of Christ does not mean you need to die for Christ literally (it seems like a far stretch, but it may happen) – to be fully devoted to Christ would mean to be able to give up everything. Life is the most precious gift given to us and so if we are willing to even give up our lives for Christ, that means that every other gift we have been given, our friends, our family, our career, education, money, etc. would go too. And that is what missions is … to be willing to give up everything to do His work.
To summarize what we have learned … being outside of your comfort zone and even getting out of your comfort zone involves:
- imitating Christ and being obedient to God
- being bold
- fearing God above all else
- surrendering and understanding that He will be there no matter the circumstance
- and to be completely selfless, willing to sacrifice no matter what the cost
Recent Comments