David Platt, Radical

Living When Dying is Gain (Ch 8)

Matthew 10:16-39 

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Theme: The Risk and Reward of the Radical Life

1. Which story in chapter 8 encouraged you the most? Explain.

2. Discuss Pratt’s words about God’s will and danger: “But what if these factors [dangerous, risks, unsafe, costly] are actually the criteria by which we determine something is God’s will? What if we began to look at the design of God as the most dangerous option before us? What if the center of God’s will is in reality the most unsafe place for us? (pp. 164-165)

3. Read Matthew 10:16-23. How does Jesus send us out to be his witnesses? What kind experiences should we expect to have in light of our radical obedience? (See Pratt, pp. 166-169).

4. Pratt inquires: “Are we willing to fundamentally alter our understanding of Christianity from a luxury-liner approach that seeks more comforts in the world to a troop-carrier approach that forsakes comforts in the world to accomplish an eternally significant task and achieve an eternally satisfying reward?” (p. 171) To what extent do you agree with Pratt’s words? What do you think Pathway needs to do? What will you do?

5. Who or what are Christ-followers to fear? (Matthew 10:26-33) What are the implications for living this kind of life?

6. Read Matthew 10:34-37. What’s the relationship between living radically for Christ and our family relationships?

7. According to Pratt, God’s Word addresses our fear in three ways: His sovereignty is our safety, His love is our security, and His presence is our satisfaction (pp. 172-175). How can these truths encourage you in the midst of your fear?   

8. Read Matthew 10:38-39. Pratt explains the radical mindset of a Christ-follower: “Your life is free to be radical when you see death as reward. This is the essence of what Jesus taught in Matthew 10, and I believe is the key to taking back your faith from the American dream.” (p. 179) Agree or disagree? Discuss. How does one develop this kind of mindset and lifestyle?