Taking up the Cross
First Reading and Psalm: Genesis 21:8-21, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Second Reading: Romans 6: 1b -11
Gospel: Matthew 10: 24-39
Matthew 10:24-39
24 ‘The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 ‘So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 ‘Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 34 ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn ‘“a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. 37 ‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
KEY THOUGHT:
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One
who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
WORSHIP: The Cross Stands (Tim Hughes)
GROUPS:
1. What is one of the most difficult or dangerous adventures you have ever been on?
2. Fear seems to be part of our DNA, and Jesus recognizes that it can cause us to fail. What role does fear play in your life, in which area is it more prevalent?
3. What are your personal fears right now? Are you able to share them with someone? If so, do that and ask them to pray with you.
4. God needs us to be completely vulnerable and dependent on him, what can you not live without? Why does it have such power over you?
5. What can you do to get the peace of God to filter through your life so that you can take up the Cross?
DAILY READINGS:
o Monday, June 22: Psalm 86:11-17; Genesis 16:1-15; Revelation 2:1-7
o Tuesday, June 23: Psalm 86:11-17; Genesis 25:12-18; Revelation 2:8-11
o Wednesday, June 24: Psalm 86:11-17; Jeremiah 42:18-22; Matthew 10:5-23
o Thursday, June 25: Psalm 13; Micah 7:18-20; Galatians 5:2-6
o Friday, June 26: Psalm 13; 2 Chronicles 20:5-12; Galatians 5:7-12
o Saturday, June 27: Psalm 13; Genesis 26:23-25; Luke 17:1-4