RealTimeFaith.net : Lesson 1: Kingdom of the Narrow-Minded

Luke 13:22-30 (Amplified Bible)

“[Jesus] journeyed on through towns and villages, teaching, and making His way toward Jerusalem.

“And someone asked Him, Lord, will only a few be saved (rescued, delivered from the penalties of the last judgment, and made partakers of the salvation by Christ)? And He said to them,

“Strive to enter by the narrow door [force yourselves through it], for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

“When once the Master of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door [again and again], saying, Lord, open to us! He will answer you, I do not know where [what household—certainly not Mine] you come from.

“Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.

“But He will say, I tell you, I do not know where [what household-certainly not Mine] you come from; depart from Me, all you wrongdoers!

“There will be weeping and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves being cast forth (banished, driven away).

“And [people] will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit down (feast at table) in the kingdom of God.

“And behold, there are some [now] last who will be first [then], and there are some [now] first who will be last [then].”

“Those who travel in the narrow way are talking of the joy and happiness they will have at the end of the journey. Their countenances are often sad, yet often beam with holy, sacred joy. They do not dress like the company in the broad road, or talk like them, or act like them. A Pattern has been given them. A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief opened that road for them, and traveled it Himself. His followers see His footsteps and are comforted and cheered. He went through safely; so can they, if they follow His footsteps.

“In the broad road all are occupied with their persons, their dress, and the pleasures in the way. They indulge freely in hilarity and glee, and think not of their journey's end, of the certain destruction at the end of the path. Every day they approach nearer their destruction; yet they madly rush on faster and faster. Oh, how dreadful this looked to me!

“I saw many traveling in this broad road who had written upon them, ‘Dead to the world. The end of all things is at hand. Be ye also ready.’ They looked just like all the vain ones around them, except a shade of sadness which I noticed upon their countenances. Their conversation was just like that of the gay, thoughtless ones around them; but they would occasionally point with great satisfaction to the letters on their garments, calling for the others to have the same upon theirs. They were in the broad way, yet they professed to be of those numbers who were traveling the narrow way. Those around them would say, ‘There is no distinction between us. We are all alike; we dress and talk and act alike’ " (Messages to Young People, pp. 126, 127).

DRIVERS WANTED

The story is told of a man who lived at the top of a mountain. The road from his house to the valley was a winding, narrow route. On one side of the road there were no guardrails, in spite of a step drop off at the edge of the road. His search for a new chauffeur brought several potential drivers to the residence for an interview. His instruction was, “Drive me down the mountain, and see how close you can come to the edge without going over the cliff.”

The first candidate took the challenge bravely and drove down the mountain about eight inches from the edge, demonstrating tremendous skills as a driver. A few times, the tires squealed slightly but the car stayed firmly on the road the whole way down. The man who lived on the mountain thanked him politely and dismissed him saying. “I will call you if I need to speak with you further.”

The second candidate boldly responded to the same challenge and skillfully drove the car six inches from the edge of the cliff the whole way down. The driver spoke of his experience racing cars and could describe exactly what the car was doing as it swerved at each turn. His confidence and ability as a driver were well noted, but he too was dismissed and informed that he would be called if necessary.

When the third candidate heard the challenge, he looked at the mountain road that went to the valley and then looked back at his interviewer and said, “Are you sure?” The man replied “Yes.” But the owner noticed as they made their way down the mountain that the driver stayed a healthy distance away from the edge of the mountain the whole way down. He thought that the driver must have misunderstood his instructions. When questioned, the driver said, “I understood perfectly. There are many ways to get down the mountain, but I just thought I would choose the best way. I’m not one to test the limits of my skills when it comes to someone else’s life.”

He was hired.

How does the story “Drivers Wanted” relate to “Today’s Reading”?
What do you think our lesson is about this week?
What does the term “narrow way” mean to you?
Is Jesus trying to be harsh and unfair when He tells us that the way to heaven is straight and narrow? Explain.

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 37, 38

In Jesus’ time, what happened to salt when it lost its savor?
What represents the life of every soul from whom the power of the grace of God has departed and who has become cold and Christless?
According to page 38 of “Today’s Reading,” what will love do for us as followers of Jesus?

Matthew 5:13-16 (New International Version)

" ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

‘You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’ ”

Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message)

“ ‘Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

" ‘Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.’ ”

Joshua 24:15 (New International Version)

“ ‘But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.’ ”

Luke 15 (The Message)

“By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, ‘He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.’ Their grumbling triggered this story.

“‘Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, “Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!” Count on it--there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.’ ”

Here’s What I Think

Kelsey feels alone. It doesn’t feel right, nor does it seem fair that standing up for what is right could turn out to be such a disaster. Kelsey witnessed two boys physically hurting another boy at school. While many students witnessed the incident, no one was willing to say what happened, because the two boys were quite popular.

Kelsey couldn’t remain quiet. She told the principal. The students were disciplined. Students called her names that made her feel horrible. How could doing the right thing feel so wrong? What do you think she should have done? What do you think Christ would have done? Why does being a child of God sometimes require us to be misunderstood by the majority? What should people like Kelsey do in those times?

Log on to http://www.guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your responses. Be up-front and honest. Say what you think. The lines below are provided as an alternative to posting. You may wish to record your thoughts and share them with your class later.

Today, we are going to read just a little about Elijah. Have you ever considered how much faith Elijah must have had? He kept walking the narrow way even when it wasn’t popular. How do we know the narrow way wasn’t popular? How do we know it took faith and trust in God? Just read the following Bible passage, and pray as you read that the Holy Spirit will help you understand what Elijah went through and how he might have felt. Ask God to help you understand why Elijah wanted to keep walking the narrow way even when it seemed no one really cared. Sure, this happened a long time ago, but do you ever feel as though no one cares if you obey God, so why should you? Don’t you sometimes fear telling the truth because of the consequences? Don’t you resent being asked for your last . . . whatever? But because someone else needs it, you do it anyway because you are walking the “narrow way.”

God gave us these stories in the Bible to help us realize that we are not really that different from anyone else. We all struggle and we all need Him to guide us.
When you finish reading the passages below, please think about what you have read and answer the questions. They may help you understand “walking the narrow way” a little better.

“He, who will follow Jesus through evil as well as good report, knows something of what is truth. He who will walk in the light as it comes, not waiting to have every mystery solved and every chance of doubt removed, will know of the doctrine, and will understand what are the advantages of entering in at the strait gate, and of walking in the narrow way. But he who would carry the world with him, will never enter in at the strait gate. There is no room for one to walk the narrow way and yet carry along evil surmisings, doubts, criticisms, jealousies, and unkindness. Such a one will refuse to enter in at the strait gate because he can not see the whole path to the paradise of God. He has many obstacles to present, many difficulties to bring to view, and Satan is ready to supply the soul with excuses for not entering in at the strait gate. Refusing to walk in the first rays of light, he fails to see the light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. If he would walk while he has the light, the path would be illuminated as he advanced, and all would be made plain” (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 28, 1912).

1 Kings 17:1-16 (The Message)

“And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: ‘As surely as God lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought—not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise.’

God then told Elijah, "Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I've ordered the ravens to feed you."

“Elijah obeyed God's orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook.

“Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: ‘Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you.’

“So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, ‘Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink.’ As she went to get it, he called out, ‘And while you're at it, would you bring me something to eat?’

“She said, ‘I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die.’

“Elijah said to her, ‘Don't worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what's left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: “The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.’ ”
And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said—daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: God's promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it!’ ”

Elijah followed God’s way. Was it popular?
What was popular according to this Bible passage?
Do you think Elijah really thought he would be feed by ravens?
How do you think Elijah might have felt asking the poor widow to feed him her last drop of food? Why did he do it?
Did Elijah travel “the narrow way?”
Who are other people that travel in “the narrow way”
What is the point of making this decision? If the way is narrow, why try that way?
Does God take care of us when we choose to follow Him? If so, how do you know this?

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 38, 39

Most of the people who listened to Jesus were of what occupation?
How did these people light their houses? (According to “Today’s Reading”).
How did telling these people they were the light of the world make any difference? What did Jesus mean for them to understand, in your opinion?
What did Jesus compare His disciples to as he looked at them and then to the rising sun as it goes forth on its errand of love?
Are we on an errand of love if we are the light of the world?

SO WHAT?

Maybe Jesus would have had more followers if He had made the way easier to follow. But there’s a reason that He told His followers to count the cost—because He knew that following Him would cost them something eventually.

Jesus didn’t promise fewer problems, more money, and great success. He did promise that your life would be abundant, full of joy and peace, and with no regrets. However, He made it clear that the way is not easy.

Have you weighed the long-term rewards of following Christ against the short-term rewards of following the crowd? You can’t travel on both trails—it’s one or the other.

Sometimes it’s hard to choose to live a different way when you think you’re missing out on the fun and excitement of life. But think about those who have lived on the narrow way when you think you’re missing out on the fun and excitement of life. But think about those who have lived on the narrow way—from Scripture to those today. I don’t know anyone who, at the time of their journey on the narrow way, regretted his or her choice. What about you? Have you counted the cost?

It sounds so easy when Jesus says ‘ye are the light of the world.’ If it is easy, what would make it that way? (Reread the last paragraph on page 39)
Compare being the light of the world to walking the narrow way. What does each phrase mean?
If we are “The light of the world” we are only light if we reflect “the Light” Jesus Christ. That being said, what will enable us to walk the narrow way?
Name people you know who have walked the narrow way. Do they or did they regret it?

Match the text with the verse. All the verses are quoted from the New International Version of The bible.

Matthew 5:13-16
Proverbs 9:6
Colossians 4:6
Proverbs 14:12
Philippians 1:9-11
Proverbs 4:26,27
Romans 9:27
Proverbs 2:9,10
Psalm 16:11
Romans 12:2

“Let your conversation be always full of grace. . . .”____________
“You are the salt of the earth. . . ____________
“Leave your simple ways and you will live . . . ________
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound. . . ._________
“There is a way that seems right to a man. . . . __________
“Make level paths for you feet and take only ways. . . __________
“. . . For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” ________
“Isaiah cries out concerning Israel . . . ________________
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world . . . .”_________
“You have made known to me the path of life . . .____________.”

Luke 15:11-31(Contemporary English Version)

“Jesus also told them another story:

“Once a man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, ‘Give me my share of the property.’ So the father divided his property between his two sons.

“Not long after that, the younger son packed up everything he owned and left for a foreign country, where he wasted all his money in wild living. He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat.

“He went to work for a man in that country, and the man sent him out to take care of his pigs. He would have been glad to eat what the pigs were eating, but no one gave him a thing. Finally, he came to his senses and said, ‘My father's workers have plenty to eat, and here I am, starving to death! I will go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son. Treat me like one of your workers.”’”

“The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him.

“The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son.’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.’ And they began to celebrate. The older son had been out in the field. But when he came near the house, he heard the music and dancing. So he called one of the servants over and asked, ‘What's going on here?’

“The servant answered, ‘Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father ordered us to kill the best calf.’ The older brother got so angry that he would not even go into the house.

“His father came out and begged him to go in. But he said to his father, ‘For years I have worked for you like a slave and have always obeyed you. But you have never even given me a little goat, so that I could give a dinner for my friends. This other son of yours wasted your money on prostitutes. And now that he has come home, you ordered the best calf to be killed for a feast.’

“His father replied, ‘My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found.’”

Matthew 11:29-30 (Contemporary English Version)

“Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.”

Footnote:
“Matthew 11:29 yoke: Yokes were put on the necks of animals, so that they could pull a plow or wagon. A yoke was a symbol of obedience and hard work.”

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?

What is odd is how often we can slip from the narrow way onto the popular way without even knowing it. Jesus watched His disciples struggle with this again and again. A popular Third Day song says, “How many times have I turned away/ The number is the same as the sand on the shore/But every time You’ve taken me back/And now I pray You do it once more.”

Maybe the narrow way is something you choose every day. But even long-time Christians who know the signposts and are familiar with the trail can struggle. One such veteran was Peter. He had a victorious experience at Pentecost and many other triumphant moments risking his all for Christ, but he succumbed to the popular way at times. In Galatians 2:11-14, Paul had to remind Peter of the narrow way when Peter caved in to the popular prejudices of influential people. Peter was eating with the Gentiles (which was not popular), but when his critics came around the corner and saw him, he picked up his tray and did what the crowd had always done. Paul sternly reprimanded him about this. Then Peter counted the cost and got back on the narrow way. Throughout our day, our weeks, our lives, we experience moments in which God’s Spirit reminds us of the best way. It’s up to us to count the cost and choose wisely. It’s up to God to fulfill His promise about where the narrow way leads.

Do you believe the prodigal son realized he was slipping from the narrow way onto the popular way?
Could there have been signs to tell him he was in trouble? What might they have been?
Do you think the brother struggled to stay on the narrow way? What might be a clue in the story to help you with your answer?
Did the brother cave to the popular way of thinking? Explain.
What are some recorded stories of the disciples’ struggles with the narrow way?
When have you struggled to stay on the narrow way? What helps you stay close to Jesus?

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing pp, 141-144

Jesus used an illustration from His time to explain the narrow way, What was it?
What is against us when we choose to “enter the spiritual kingdom”?
What is our only hope? (p.143)
What did Jacob do in great time of crisis?
What was Jacob’s “overmastering purpose”?
Jacob had a spirit of
Jacob wrestled in his own strength but in the end what caused him to win the battle?
Could we compare our struggles to Jacobs struggle? Explain.

Make a list of some broad-road decisions you have made in the past:

Think of some narrow-way decisions you have had to make that you will never regret:

Develop your own signpost motto (such as Even if I feel lonely, I am never alone: or I can’t even imagine the reward stored up for me) and write it here.