Crossroads – Wk 1
Isaiah 40:28-30 (NLT)
28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Matthew 10:39 (NLT)
39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
A crossroad represents a decision that determines a life-altering direction.
Matthew 10:24-39 (NLT)
24 “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
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.
35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!’
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.
Are you clinging to something other than Jesus? What do you need to release?
HOW TO BE FREE FROM THE FEAR OF LETTING GO:
1. Make a commitment to release.
2. Acknowledge what God’s word says.
3. Practice clinging to Jesus to build confidence.
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent place they have felt God’s love and a place they are praying for Him to move.
– As a group, feel free to create space to worship together and/or encourage each other as a means of connection and start to your group time.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Crossroads represent questions that determine the direction for following Jesus.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Matthew 10:24-39. In this passage, Jesus mentions the words “Don’t be afraid” three times. As a group, call out the fears mentioned in the passage and fears we face in life.
▶ Read Isaiah 40:28-30 (NLT). Think about God’s strength and power in these verses. Share an experience where you have seen God’s strength and power in a past or current situation.
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read Matthew 10:39. As a disciple and growing follower of Jesus, there will be times you will be tempted to cling to something other than Jesus and it will require a decision to let go. Ask God if there is something in your life you need to release. What step is He asking you to take this week to be free?
– Make a commitment to release
– Acknowledge what God’s word says.
– Practice clinging to Jesus to build confidence.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Read Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) all together. Pray that God would renew our strength as individuals and as a church and that we would be committed to follow him no matter the cost.