I have had problems with being a people pleaser.  What often happens is that I see something as true and speak the truth.  Someone gets offended and I feel really guilty.  Also, I will sometimes move mountains in my job just to make people happy.  Looking deeper, it would seem, like many, that I did not create clear boundaries growing up.  I did not say strongly to myself, “I will fear God and I will not fear men.”  I now have to break free of this pattern.  It is not easy and I feel somewhat anxious sticking to my guns at home and in the office.  For some reason, church has not been as much of an issue.  Maybe there I remember more clearly to fear God only.

Luke 12:1-11

¹ Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be^[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

   ⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

   ⁸ “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ⁹ But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

   ¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Questions

1. What did Jesus tell his disciples to beware?
2. Who should the disciples fear?
3. What is the yeast of the Pharisees?
4. How do you try to please people?
5. How could you develop a healthy fear of God?

Going Deeper

Observation

1. What were people doing to each other as the gathered to hear Jesus?
2. What will become of what a person  says in the inner rooms?
3. Why should a person not be afraid of those who can kill the body?
4. What does Jesus say about sparrows?
5. Why shouldn’t the disciples worry about being brought in front of synagogues?

Interpretation

1. Why does the Bible highlight the number of disciples at this point in Jesus’ ministry?
2. How were ancient Jewish houses constructed? 
3. What does it mean to ‘fear’ God in this context?
4. What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit?
5. Because the Holy Spirit teaches us does it mean that we should not study books?

Application

1. How can popularity lead to problems?
2. Could anyone call you a hypocrite because of your public face?
3. J.I. Packer has said that what a man is alone in prayer before God is what a man is and no more.  What are you?
4. Do you fear death?  Why?  Why not?
5. How has the Holy Spirit given you the right words at the right time?