Meeting guide · command 73
Do Not Be Led Astray
Do not follow false messiahs, sensational claims, or panic-driven predictions about the end.
Read
Read the complete passage aloud.
Primary passage
Matthew 24:25–28
World English Bible
Mark
Mark 13:5–8
World English Bible
Mark
Mark 13:21–23
World English Bible
Luke
Luke 21:8–9
World English Bible
Jesus prepares disciples for wars, upheaval, impressive signs, and confident claimants, warning that these do not justify alarm or premature conclusions.
Discuss
Listen carefully to what Jesus says.
- What does Jesus command?
- What does this passage reveal about Him?
- Where do we resist this command?
- What is difficult or unclear?
- Why do urgency, secret knowledge, signs, and fear make deceptive claims persuasive?
Practice
Choose one specific act of obedience.
Before sharing an alarming spiritual claim, verify its source, compare it with Jesus' words, examine its fruit, and consult trustworthy believers.
Return
Come back and discuss what happened.
What claim did you test or decline to share, and which standard exposed its weakness?
Close together
Pray. Then prepare to teach.
Pray
Jesus, keep us from deception. Give us sober minds, patient discernment, and courage to refuse fear-driven voices.
Teach
Emphasize Jesus' command not to go after such claimants; avoid turning the passage into another speculative prediction system.
