Trouble Maker Week 5 Study

BIG IDEA

When Jesus began His ministry on earth, He chose to pick a group of 12 men to be His close followers or disciples. This was not unexpected. After all, it was custom for a Jewish rabbi to have a group of devoted disciples to learn from him and follow him. What was unexpected, however, was the group of disciples Jesus chose. Instead of choosing the “best of the best” religious students, Jesus chose common fishermen, a despised tax collector, and more. Jesus chose common, ordinary, and even unpopular men to follow Him and spread His message throughout the world. Today we will look deeper into Jesus’ calling of His disciples and His teachings to them. As we study, we will be reminded that we have the same calling that Jesus ultimately gave His disciples in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations” and make Him known throughout all the world.

BREAK THE ICE

Who is a friend or adviser you would follow wherever they lead? Why?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study Questions

1. What type of people would you have expected to follow Jesus?

WATCH SERMON RECAP

2. Read Mark 3:13-19, which talks about Jesus’ appointing His 12 disciples. Levi, also called Matthew, was a tax collector. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. Simon was a Zealot. How are these choices of disciples different from than anyone would have expected?

Mark 3:13-19

Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. 14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, 15 giving them authority to cast out demons. 16 These are the twelve he chose:

Simon (whom he named Peter),
17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”),
18 Andrew,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
Simon (the zealot[c]),
19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

3. What did Jesus appoint His disciples to do when He called them? (See verse 14.)

4. Read Acts 1:7-8. What was Jesus’ call to His disciples before He returned to Heaven, and how would they be effective in spreading His message?

Acts 1:7-8

 "He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Application

1. Do you ever feel you must “have it all together” to follow Jesus fully? Why?

2. How does Jesus' group of 12 disciples go against this belief that Jesus wants us to “have it all together” before we follow Him?

3. As His followers today, we are called to continue spreading His message. Who are the people in your life who you are currently sharing your faith with?

 MOVING FORWARD

Spend some time now praying for the people in your life who are far from Christ. Pray that God would keep working in their lives and reveal Himself to them. Pray that God would give you all more opportunities to share your faith and that you would be bold to take the opportunities when they come.

Going Deeper

When Jesus called the disciples, He issued an invitation to follow Him and find life in Him. Make no mistake, however, that because Jesus was, and is, King. There are several implications that come from the truth that Jesus is King. First, because He is King, following Him has a cost because He requires our full devotion. Second, because Jesus is the King, we are called to obey Him. Finally, unlike earthly kings, following King Jesus is not burdensome.  

Read Luke 9:23-27.

1. · Describe the cost of following Jesus.
2. · What is the reward for those who follow Him?
3. · What is the warning for those who do not follow and obey Jesus?

 
Matthew 7:24-28.

1. · Compare and contrast the person who obeys the teachings of Jesus and the person who doesn’t.
2. · Summarize the warning in this verse to those who do not obey and put Jesus’ teachings into practice.
3. · What is the incentive for those who obey?

Read Matthew 11:28-30

1. · Describe Jesus’ “yoke,” or requirements and instructions to follow Him.
2. · Why does Jesus say His “yoke is easy to bear” and His burden is “light?”
3. · How does this teaching from Jesus give you the confidence to follow Him as King?
   

Reflect:

As we think about the truth that Jesus is King, take a few minutes to think about anything holding you back from being fully devoted to following Him. Maybe you are struggling to obey Him in an area, or there is something He has called you to give up, but you are finding it difficult. Whatever the case, share it with your group along with one way you can let go of anything holding you back. After everyone has shared, pray together. Thank Him that He is a good, wise, faithful, loving, and gentle King, and ask Him for the boldness to be fully devoted followers of Him.

MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)

John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.