Most of us are familiar with things Jesus did. He walked on water, fed thousands with only a few fish and rolls, healed the blind, and died on the cross. We’re equally familiar with many things He said, such as love God, love your neighbor, fear not, and do good. These make perfect sense, but Jesus also said other things that are a little harder to grasp: sell everything you own, love your enemies, and hate your parents. These teachings are difficult, but we would be wise to understand why Jesus said them. As we dive into these hard sayings, we’ll find that, although they may seem counter-intuitive, we’ll find they include key truths about the abundant life Jesus promises to those who follow Him.
Session 1: God Won’t Forgive This Sin
Scripture: Matthew 12:22-32
The Point: God does not forgive those who reject Jesus and never seek His forgiveness.
Session 2: You’ll Never Die
Scripture: John 11:25-27; 20:24-29
The Point: The resurrection of Jesus makes our own resurrection possible.
Session 3: Sell Everything You Own
Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26
The Point: We must choose Jesus or worldly wealth, because we can’t live for both.
Session 4: Love Your Enemies
Scripture: Luke 6:27-36
The Point: We should love our enemies even as Christ has loved us.
Session 5: Let the Dead Bury Their Dead
Scripture: Luke 9:57-62
The Point: Following Jesus takes priority over all other commitments.
Session 6: Hate Your Family
Scripture: Luke 14:25-35
The Point: Loving Jesus should be so intense it makes everything else look like hate.
Session 7: Exploit Your Friends
Scripture: Luke 16:1-12
The Point: Be wise with resources and opportunities.
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