CALLED TO A FAMILY – Read: Matthew 10:1-4

1. Joel began today by reading Matthew 10:1-10. As you read this entire passage, what do you see that stands out? What is being said? Who is saying it? To whom is it being said? He said that what we see in the first four verses is Jesus sending out his closest circle of disciples for what would be their first missionary journey. And what does Jesus do for them in the very first verse? Why is this important?

2. Joel said that this opening ‘sending’ by Jesus will reveal a pattern that we find in the story of His entire ministry – He walks and teaches with them; He releases them on mission; they try to fulfill His instructions; they return to Him for further mission work; and He sends them again. Does this pattern make sense to you? We know from Scripture that sometimes they succeeded, sometimes not, but they always returned to Him for more. Joel said that this is the ‘missionary’ pattern that we can all embrace for Jesus. Does this ring true for you? How so? Do you have examples in your life of this pattern?

3. Joel said that the other thing to note in these opening verses is that Jesus is not only calling them to Himself, but to a family. And that He is calling those who can fulfill His mission, not necessarily those who would be ‘best friends’ or all think alike. We know this by how Matthew describes some of twelve – a tax collector would not be welcomed into the group had Jesus not called him…and a zealot would have been of concern to many of the others. Do you see this? So, Joel’s point is that “These are folks who wouldn’t have been friends, but are called by Jesus to be brothers on mission for Him.” Does this make sense? And this actually happens in our lives as well, yes? As Joel said, we are in different circumstances and relationships, not necessarily of our choosing, when we follow Jesus, so that (1) we can grow, and (2) so that we can go and fulfill His mission plan together. Do you see this? How so? Joel concluded: “Don’t be surprised is He puts you next to people who are not like you.” Has this been your experience?

DESIGNATES TERRITORY – Read: Matthew 10:5-6

4. In these next two verses, notice that Jesus is now designating territory for the disciples. And where does He tell them to go and not to go? Does this seem odd to you? If so, why? Joel asked us to remember that this is the opening missionary effort, it is not yet the Great Commission, which will come later and will include ‘all nations’. So why would He send them only to the ‘lost sheep of Israel?” Joel said that Jesus’ intention is for them to “start where they already are.” In some sense, familiar people, customs, beliefs, and territory – literally, Jews with Jews. Do you see this? And why would this matter at this point?

5. And the same for us – it’s not often a major, life-changing assignment, but rather it’s where and with whom we already live – where you already are. Does this ring true for you and your involvement in ministries? How so?

6. Joel summed it up this way: “We can know where by asking Him, ‘Jesus, what are You already doing here, and how can I participate?’” Joel suggested to us that this can be, and should be, our opening prayer for our lives and our ‘kick-start’ each day. Does this make sense? Have you prayed this prayer before?

DELEGATES AUTHORITY – Read: Matthew 10:7-10; 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10; Matthew 28:18-20

7. And now, in these last four verses, we see that Jesus delegates His Authority to them to do His Will and His work – to be on mission – and it began in verse 1, and now becomes specific. What do you see here? And what do you make of Jesus’ first instruction to them in verse 7? What does Jesus mean by this? We have learned what the Kingdom of God means in previous sessions, so what is Jesus getting at here? Why is this important? Since He says this first, is it foundational to everything else? How so, and why?

8. By giving them His Authority, He is both preparing and empowering them, yes? Do you see this? Is this for us today as well? How so? Joel reminded us that in some cases, we must be ready to confront evil and the enemy, and that it’s real and we need God’s Power and Authority to confront and deal with it, yes? And do we have that as His followers? How so, and in what person?

9. Joel concluded the passage by reflecting on verses 9 and 10, that Jesus had the disciples go forth, ‘embracing poverty’. Do you see this? In what ways? And was it just for the sake of ‘traveling light’ or adhering to customs? No, there was intentionality to it. Joel said that Jesus is teaching them that He is sufficient for their needs…that His provision is enough. Paul had a very similar interaction with Jesus Himself in the 2 Corinthians passage…what does Paul say? What does Jesus say to him? Was this a teaching moment for Paul? How can you tell? And Joel said it’s as if Jesus is telling His disciples, ‘Go to the next place with nothing; I will be with you, and I will be enough.’ Does this make sense? Is this for us today? How so?

10. Joel closed with these words for us today (reflecting on the Great Commission now in Matthew 28): “We can do this! He has given all Authority to you [through the Holy Spirit] to go…follow Him into these places. He is not asking us to go anywhere and do anything that He has not already been to and done. In fact, He is not ‘sending people out’; rather, He is calling us to where He already is…and needs us to serve with him.” Amen? Amen!

Prayer: In prayer this week, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to your calling for His mission in this world, starting with what you can do and be as a follower of Jesus at EAC and right with your circle of folks…what is He calling you out to? Pray that your openness to His guidance and direction would be fuller and more complete as time goes by, and that by being a child of God, He will give you wisdom, courage, and discernment to meet Him on mission on a daily basis – asking Him, ‘what are You already doing here, and how can I participate?’. And as always, pray that the Holy Spirit would give you ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to respond to His call to you, in order to be His hands and feet in this world, on His mission for others, all for God’s Glory! Amen.

Sermon Discussion Questions July 19, 2026