Scripture
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.
Question: Is there any area of your life that you have consistently refused to submit to the lordship of Jesus?
Prayer Starter: Jesus, I repent. Please forgive me for those areas where I have not submitted to You. I don’t want to be rebellious toward You. I want to grow. I believe that real freedom will come to my life as I choose to submit to Your rule and reign from my heart. So I choose to do that, and I receive Your power and strength to walk in Your way today.
Family Chat: Picture yourself standing under an umbrella, protected from a storm. When you move out from under the umbrella, you walk out from under its protection. It’s the same in your life. When you obey God, your parents, and your teachers, you are staying under protection. Ask God to help you have a heart that desires to obey the first time you are asked to do something.
Take Action: Every morning when you wake up this week, choose to verbally articulate your desire to love God today with all your heart, soul, and strength, and to submit to His rule and reign. Pray through Deuteronomy 6:4-9 every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed.
Challenge: Meet with your life group and talk through both the questions you’ve answered this week and the challenges you have faced (or are still facing!) as you follow Jesus. Be honest about what’s worked for you, as well as areas where you may have missed the mark.
Additional Resources:
Scripture
“And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
– Luke 11:19-20
Additional Resources:
Scripture
As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.” – Luke 11:29-32
Additional Resources:
Scripture
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
– Luke 13:18-19
Additional Resources:
Additional Resources:
Scripture
“Blessed is the one who hears the Word of God and keeps it.” – Luke 11:28
Additional Resources:
Scripture
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
-Matthew 11:7-13
Additional Resources:
