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Life Group Guide “Helping those who are far from God become committed followers of Jesus Christ from the Scenic City to the nations.” Life Group Guide Opening/Community: Ideas for beginning your Life Group ● Icebreaker: Come up with a fun and fitting question to help people get to know one another. ● Highs & Lows: What were the best and the most challenging parts of your week? ● Follow up: How did you apply what you learned from last week’s discussion in your life this week. ● God at work: How have you seen God at work this week? ● Prayer: Thank God for his character and the ways you've seen his faithfulness this week. Sermon Review: Review and discuss the sermon together ● Sermon Text: Mark 6:14-29 ● Main Point: ● Sermon Outline: ● What challenged you in the sermon to deepen your commitment as a follower of Christ? Complementary Text: Additional material to help deepen your Life Group’s understanding of Scripture and become more committed followers of Christ. Text: Matthew 14:1-13 Author & Date: Matthew the apostle/AD 50s and 60s Audience: The Jews Theme of the Book: The Deity and preexistence of Christ Immediate Context: The beheading of John the Baptist Main Point: Following Christ comes at a price 1 How does the sermon text complement this text? The account of the execution of John the Baptist is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Luke provides very little detail of the account, so comparison is best between Matthew and Mark. Both texts give us a great deal of information about what happened, but Mark gives the greatest amount of detail to the event. However, Matthew lets us know that John’s disciples told Jesus what had happened. Bible scholars tell us that the mentioning of the event is like a flashback in a motion picture. The Gospel writers have paused to give us background information because Herod has thought that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead. With this rumor floating around in ancient Israel, they take the time to tell us what happened. (Christ-Centered Exposition: Matthew and Mark; Bible Exposition Commentary) What does this passage teach us about God? What does this passage teach us about mankind? How does this text point to Christ and the gospel? John the Baptist’s martyrdom is an example to all believers today. Persecution and martyrdom seem impossible for the American Christian, but they are the norm and high possibility for many believers around the world, and it is something that we see more and more in recent days. God may call upon some of us to give our lives for our faith, and we must be ready. We should be praying for our brothers and sisters around the world who face the reality of this every day. The story of John the Baptist gives us the opportunity to consider the cost of discipleship, and recognize the reality of persecution and martyrdom. What does Jesus expect from us? Complete obedience. And when that obedience comes in conflict with human laws which consider Christianity a threat to their culture, persecution and death will likely be the outcome. But there is hope. In the end, we know that Christians will have the final victory. If we are chosen to die for our faith, we will live with Him in heaven. 2 What specific applications does this text call us to do or believe? THINK ABOUT IT 1. Jesus can’t be what we think He is. Herod thought he was John the Baptist risen from the dead, but He was God in the flesh. He is who He says He is. Who is Jesus to you? 2. Christians must take a stand against social norms which are contrary to Scripture. But we must choose our battles. Pray for wisdom and courage as you stand up for righteousness. Hate the sin, but love the sinner. Consider the example of John the Baptist and speak out for the truth. 3. Watch out for grudges against fellow believers. Herodias wanted her way, and she would stop at nothing to get it. You might not want to kill someone, but our attitudes can be as poisonous as our actions against others who we feel have wronged us. Guard your heart and don’t let it harden against others. 4. Guard yourself against the sin of drunkenness and sins of the flesh. Avoid company with those who have gatherings where sin can be the result of attendance. 5. Use your words carefully. Guard your tongue from saying things you might regret. 6. Don’t put yourself in a position where doing the right thing can be embarrassing. Make sure you do right, no matter the consequences. 7. When we serve God, trouble and difficulties will come. Persecution is a part of the journey. Circumstances might not be as we hope, but we must obey God, no matter the cost. (Life Application Commentary) REFLECT AND DISCUSS 1. Which is harder, dying for Jesus once or living radically sold out to Jesus day after day, year after year? 2. What is the most recent example you have heard of a martyr for Christ? What is the most recent example of persecution you heard of in your own country? 3. What reactions have you seen in today’s world that could be characterized as fear of Christianity? 4. Why did Herod fear John, and why was he tormented after his death? If you lived radically for Christ, who might fear you, and why? 5. What are the right reasons non-Christians should fear Christians? What are some bad ways some Christians cause fear and loathing in society? 6. What unbiblical practices in your own country are popular, so that if you spoke out against them, you would be persecuted? Should you speak out anyway? 7. What other cases do you know of where someone has used sex and lust to manipulate a leader? How can a leader prepare his or her mind and heart to resist such manipulation? 8. Is there any person or leader you fear more than God? Are you tempted to protect your own reputation rather than honoring God? 9. How would you explain to a non-Christian why bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people? How would you explain it in a Sunday school class? 10. Who do you think of that, “even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith”? (Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark) Recommended Resources 1. Exalting Jesus in Mark (Christ-Centered Exposition). 2. Exalting Jesus in Matthew (Christ-Centered Exposition). 3. The Bible Exposition Commentary, 6 Volumes: Wiersbe, Warren W. 4. Mark (Life Application Bible Commentary). 3 Pray @ Brainerd: Please pray for: ● Those who committed to apply the text in some way this week. ● The needs in your Life Group. ● Pray if the Lord might be calling you to serve in the opportunity below. ● Pray for Brainerd members deployed around the world (Deployed requests below). ● Pray for the activities of our church (Announcements below). Brainerd Deploy Nathan, Amber, Reese, and Zella Kate | Southeast Asia Pray for their family and for their ministry amongst the people of Southeast Asia. Serving @ Brainerd First Impressions and Kids Ministry ● As we previously considered what it meant to be "Stewards of the Mission," will you consider how God would have you serve at Brainerd Baptist Church? We have great needs in First Impressions and Kids Ministry. Talk with your Life Group about how you might collectively fill these needs. Email [email protected] if you have any questions. Announcements ● Check out the church Events Page and social media for updates on what’s happening around Brainerd. 4.
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