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Day 11

TRUST THE LORD FOR EVERYTHING!

• CHRIST-FOLLOWERS MUST RECEIVE THE KINGDOM “LIKE A CHILD”

GOD’S WORD:  People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

(Mark 10:13-16, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How does the “special care of Jesus for children” impact my understandings and sense of security in being his follower?

2. Why might these early followers of Jesus have become “impatient with people bringing children” to him?

3. Why do I suspect Jesus became “indignant over his followers’ rejecting the children” when their parents brought them for Jesus’ blessing?

4. Why did “Jesus invite the children” to come to him?

5. What can I learn from this “tender interaction of Jesus with the children”?

6. Why does “the kingdom of God belong to children” in some special way?

7. What does it mean for me “to receive the kingdom of God like a little child”?

8. In what ways is the Lord Jesus calling me to ”become more like a little child” in my relationship with him?

• WHAT WE “LOSE FOR JESUS,” HE WILL MORE THAN REPLACE

GOD’S WORD:  Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

(Matthew 19:27-30, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What all did Peter and the earliest Christ-followers “leave behind to be with Jesus”?

2. What did Peter “reveal about his own nature” in asking this question about Jesus’ having something for them?

3. How do faithful Christ-followers still “have selfish motives” for following Jesus?

4. What is the “three-part promise” Jesus makes to everyone who leaves behind relationships and property in order to follow him faithfully?

• JESUS PROMISES TO “NEVER LEAVE US AS ORPHANS”

GOD’S WORD:  I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.  Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:12-27, NIV)

 REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What does Jesus promise faithful believers they “will be able to do after he goes away to the Father”?

2. What all will Jesus do for those who sincerely and faithfully “ask anything in his name”?

3. Who is the “Counselor who will be with me forever” now that Jesus is with the Father?

4. How does Jesus fulfill the promise to “not leave me as an orphan”?

5. How does Jesus continue to “show himself” to me?

6. What is meant by the promise that the “Holy Spirit will teach me all things”?

7. What is meant by the promise that the “Holy Spirit will remind me of everything Jesus said”?

8. How does the “work of the Holy Spirit in my life” give me peace?

9. In a world of many troubles, how can I live by this principle: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”?

• JESUS MODELED AND PROMISED “VICTORY THROUGH SUFFERING”

GOD’S WORD:  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16, NIV)

 REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How can I know that “Jesus understands any great suffering” I may have to face?

2. How can I know that “Jesus understands any great temptations” I may have to face?

3. Why can I understand that “Jesus knows how to sympathize” with me in my own suffering and temptation?

4. No matter what difficulties I may have to face, “where can I run to find great confidence and grace”?

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