Week 15 - Matthew 10 v 9 to 20

Matthew 10
New International Version

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
⁹“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— ¹⁰no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. ¹¹Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹²As you enter the home, give it your greeting. ¹³If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
¹⁶“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. ¹⁷Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. ¹⁸On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Questions
1/ Do you think that the principles of v 9 to 13 are still true today? Explain

2/ In this age of Grace do you think the principles in v 14 -15 still apply? Explain

3/What do you think the phrase “Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” means? Explain.

4/ How much of “¹⁷Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ” do you think could happen to Christians in any country? Explain

5/ ¹⁹But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Can you recall any time when God has supplied the words you need to say in defence of your Christian faith? Possibly without you realising it.

Please email Brother Phil your answers and further discussion.