Unobvious Idols: Wk 9

No human relationship can carry the burden that only God can bear.

Matthew 10:28-42 (NLT)

²⁸ “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. ³⁰ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

³² “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

³⁴ “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

³⁷ “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. ³⁸ If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. ³⁹ If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

⁴⁰ “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. ⁴¹ If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. ⁴² And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

FOUR RELATIONSHIPS THAT TEST OUR ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS:

1. Enemies.

– Don’t fear your enemies more than God.

2. Family relationships.

– Seek allegiance to Jesus, not validation from family.

3. Godly people.

– Don’t elevate a godly person to the place of savior.

4. People in need.

– Small acts of kindness toward those in need show our allegiance to Jesus.

Question for reflection:

What is one step you can take this week to let go of an unrealistic expectation of a relationship and release it to the Lord?

SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: People become idols when we expect them to fulfill what only God can.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Of the three common but misguided reactions to setting our hope on people but being disillusioned or disappointed, which could fit you at times and how does that affect you?

– Blame the things that are disappointments and move on to better ones.

– Blame the people around you and isolate.

– Blame yourself and beat yourself up.

▶ Read Matthew 10:28-31. Does it come easy to you to think you are valuable to God? How would it change your everyday life if you were secure in knowing your value to God?

▶ Read Matthew 10:32-39. What are some ways we “lose our life” and “find it”?

▶ Read Matthew 10:40-42. Who is someone you receive that speaks into your life? How has that affected you?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.

This week, 4 people groups were highlighted: enemies, family relationships, godly people, and people in need. Ask God what is one step you can take this week to let go of an unrealistic expectation of a relationship and release it to the Lord?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Pray the Lord’s prayer together:

Our Father who is in heaven, May Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.