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

25 “Behold, I have told you beforehand. 26 “If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it. 27 For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, that is where the vultures gather together.

World English Bible

Mark

Mark 13:5–8

5 Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. 6 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray. 7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.

World English Bible

Mark

Mark 13:21–23

21 Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. 23 But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.

World English Bible

Luke

Luke 21:8–9

8 He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”

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.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. 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.