Small Group Discussion

We’ve been reading about the enemies of Jesus this week. Some rejected Jesus’ claims and some rejected Him because he stood to thwart their own grab for power and position. And as His followers, we can expect the same rejection. 

Discuss with your small group what you’ve drawn from your reading this week and how God has spoken to you. Talk about what it means to identify with Christ in His suffering and rejection and how we are to respond when oppressed. Be sure to note that what Jesus commands us to do in response to persecution and rejection is impossible without His help and power. It goes against our natural inclination and is beyond our own means.

You can also pull from the daily questions and use the HEAR method as a structure for your discussion.

If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact jon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jon Price

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You Can Tell Evil by it’s Fruit

Matthew 12:33-37

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What does your mouth reveal about your heart? 
  • What fruit is evident in your life that points to Jesus? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Stay Sober

1 Peter 5:8

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What do you think Peter means when he says “sober-minded?”
  • What are some ways that you can stay sober-minded this week? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What kind of power does it take to love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you? 
  • What would it look like if you were obedient to this passage? 
  • Take some time right now to pray for your enemies and those who persecute you. Ask God to give you the strength to love them. 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Don’t Take it Personally

John 15:18-27

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • Why would the world hate you for following Jesus? 
  • How do you feel knowing that your rejection from the world is tied to Christ’s? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Focus this Week – Enemies of Jesus

Matthew 12:9-13

“He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.”

How could anyone dislike Jesus? I mean, He healed and cared for a lot of people. Yet, many not only disliked Jesus, they pursued His destruction. How did Jesus handle His enemies?

We must study this question because Jesus’ way to handle enemies is the best way. It is actually the only way. It covers anxiety, bitterness, and fear. 

These passages also tell us that Jesus promises that we will have enemies. Therefore, we need to stop trying to rid ourselves of detractors and find out how to live in a world where they exist.

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s Post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

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