14.

The People of the King: Facing Opposition While Practising Kingdom Work

Matthew 10:16-42

  • Session: 14
  • Week: 2
  • Day: 7
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Introduction

In Matthew 10, Jesus sends His disciples out for the first time to practice and express the ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing, in what can be considered a short-term experience in ministry (STEM). He warns them of the opposition and persecution they will face on account of Christ. In this session, we will explore the dynamics of persecution for the disciples and how to respond biblically, while remaining steadfast in faith and trusting in God’s protection.

Objectives

By the end of this session, you will have:

  • Understood the difference between suffering and persecution from the wolves by listing what the wolves would do.
  • Identified God’s role, the role of the wolves, and the role of the sheep during persecution.
  • Learned how to relate to God (their source), how to relate to their God-given resources, and how to relate to the wolves among the sheep.

Outline

  • The short-term experience in the ministry.
  • Suffering and persecution from the wolves.
  • How sheep relate to themselves, other sheep, the shepherd, resources, and others.
  • Dealing with fear, worry, and stress (trauma) before, during, and after persecution.

Group Study Time

Matthew 10:16-42

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

What do the verses mean?
(In small groups, attempt the following questions):

  • What is the difference between suffering and persecution (hostility and hatred)? Why are we persecuted? Why does a good husband (Christ) allow His wife (the Church) to be persecuted? Who are the agents of persecution? What should we do when we encounter persecution? Discuss in groups.
  • Read Matthew 10:16-42. What is the role of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in the persecution of believers (sheep)?
  • Read Matthew 10:16-42. Identify the wolves (from relatives, rulers, religious leaders, and crowds) and their role in the persecution of believers. How do you know that the wolves hate you? List five indicators.
  • Read Matthew 10:19, Matthew 10:26, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 10:31. Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to be afraid or worried four times, even before they encountered persecution? What does it mean to be afraid? How do you (as sheep) overcome fear during persecution?
  • Read Matthew 10:16-42. List what the persecuted person should do before, during, and after persecution from the wolves.

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.