Sword

Opening question: What do people say about you?

Read out loud and silently the following Bible verses:

Matthew 10:32-39
32 All those who stand before others and say they believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they belong to me. 33 But all who stand before others and say they do not believe in me, I will say before my Father in heaven that they do not belong to me. 34 Don't think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 I have come so that "a son will be against his father, a daughter will be against her mother, a daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law. 36 A person's enemies will be members of his own family. " (Micah 7:6) 37 "Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. Those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. 38 Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life.

John 12:42,43
42 Many believed in Jesus, even many of the leaders. But because of the Pharisees, they did not say they believed in him for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. 43 They loved praise from people more than praise from God.

John 15:5
5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing.

Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.

Word list:
Pharisees – a powerful religious organization that ruled Israel 2000 years ago.
synagogue – the place where the Jewish people would meet every Saturday for worship.

Discussion questions:
1. What problem did the Jewish leaders face, as we read in John 12?
2. Why do we care so much about what people think about us?
3. How important are your parents’ thoughts about you?
4. Why do you think Jesus used the word “sword”?
5. What do you think it means to “carry the cross”?
6. Where does the believer’s strength to tell others about Jesus come from?