Giving Up to Get

## Leader Setup & Theological Framing This discussion flows from Matthew 19:27-30, where Jesus responds to Peter after the rich young ruler walks away. The sermon argued that sacrifice for Christ is never a loss because God restores and elevates His people in the age to come. The big idea is eschatological reversal: those who lose everything for Jesus gain something far better. As you lead, keep the tone hopeful but honest—teenagers know what it feels like to lose status, relationships, or comfort for faith. Affirm that Jesus does not minimize sacrifice; He promises that it will be worth it. Key cross-references include Daniel 7:13-14 (the Son of Man's everlasting kingdom), Acts 1 (Judas replaced to keep the Twelve), Matthew 25 (the glorious throne and judgment), Hebrews 6:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58 (God remembers our work), and Philippians 3:8 (counting all as loss for Christ).

Then Peter said in reply, 'See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?' Jesus said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.' — Matthew 19:27-30 (ESV)

## Q1: The Question Behind the Promise (5 minutes) Read Matthew 19:16-22 for context if needed. Peter asks, 'What then will we have?' right after the rich young ruler walks away sad. Why do you think Peter asks this, and what is he really trying to find out?

Leader Context: The sermon highlighted the rich young ruler who went away sorrowful (Matt 19:21-22). Peter contrasts himself with that man. Help students see that Peter is not being greedy; he is seeking confirmation that leaving everything was not foolish. Redirect if students mock Peter for sounding selfish; remind them that he literally left his job and family.

Expected Answer: Peter probably felt shocked after watching the rich man walk away from Jesus because the rich man could not bear to give up his wealth. Peter wanted to know if the disciples had made the right choice by leaving their nets, families, and jobs behind. He is looking for assurance that sacrifice for Jesus actually matters and that there is real hope on the other side of loss.

Transition: Peter wanted to know if leaving everything was worth it. Jesus does not just say yes—He paints a wild picture of thrones and a restored kingdom.

## Q2: Thrones for Fishermen (7 minutes) Jesus promises the disciples they will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The sermon connected this to Daniel 7:13-14 and Acts 1. Why is the number 'twelve' a big deal, and what does this promise tell us about God's plan?

Leader Context: The sermon spent time on the divided kingdom and the lost ten tribes. Use this to show that Jesus is promising a complete restoration of God's people under His kingdom. Reference Acts 1 regarding Judas's replacement to maintain the twelve. Daniel 7:13-14 and Matthew 25:31-32 give the backdrop of the Son of Man receiving an everlasting dominion and sitting on a glorious throne. Redirect if students get lost in tribal history; keep the focus on Jesus' power to restore broken things.

Expected Answer: The twelve tribes had been divided and scattered for almost a thousand years, so promising twelve thrones means God is putting His people back together under one kingdom. It shows that Jesus' kingdom is not just spiritual fluff—it is a real, restored community where His followers have important roles. Even ordinary fishermen get elevated positions in the new creation because they stuck with Jesus, which proves God loves to reverse our expectations.

Transition: That promise was for the Twelve, but Jesus does not stop there. He opens the door to everyone who follows Him.

## Q3: Everyone Gets In on This (7 minutes) Look at verse 29: 'Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters... for my name's sake...' The sermon said this moves from the Twelve to all believers. What does Jesus promise, and why does He say 'a hundredfold' instead of just 'you will be okay'?

Leader Context: The sermon stressed that verses 29-30 apply to anyone, including us, and echoed Matthew 20:16 where the last become first. 'A hundredfold' is not a literal math equation but a promise of overflowing, surprising replacement and eternal life. Keep students from thinking this is a prosperity gospel; it is about the age to come. Redirect if someone claims God owes them money or popularity; clarify that the reward is in the age to come.

Expected Answer: Jesus promises that anyone who sacrifices family, home, or security for Him will receive far more than they lost and will inherit eternal life. 'A hundredfold' means the reward is overflowing and unimaginably good, not just a replacement. It is God's way of saying that what we give up is tiny compared to what He gives back in the new world, so we can trust Him with our losses.

Transition: So sacrifice leads to reward, but is it okay to think about that? Some people say we should only serve Jesus out of duty. Let's wrestle with that tension.

## Q4: Debate — Rewards or Duty? (8 minutes) The sermon noted that 'this may not be our motivation, but that is a good and gracious God who elevates His people.' Let's debate: Is it wrong to follow Jesus partly because of the rewards He promises, or is that a healthy motivation? Split the group in half and argue both sides for four minutes, then discuss together.

Leader Context: This is your debate springboard. Philippians 3:8 says Paul counts everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Hebrews 6:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58 remind us that God remembers our labor. The sermon landed on the side that reward is a gracious gift from God, not selfishness, but our primary drive should be love for Christ. Redirect if students think heaven is about getting stuff or if one side dominates; make sure quieter voices speak.

Expected Answer: One side might say we should only follow Jesus out of love and duty, not for reward, because that feels more pure. The other side can say that Jesus Himself offers these promises, so wanting them honors Him rather than using Him. The healthy middle is that rewards are a real, gracious encouragement from God, but our main goal is Jesus Himself. Paul in Philippians 3 calls knowing Christ 'gain,' so the reward is ultimately more of Jesus.

Transition: Whether our motivation is love, duty, or hope for reward, the fact is that following Jesus costs us something right now. Let's get practical about what that looks like in your world.

## Q5: What Are You Holding? (6 minutes) The sermon asked, 'What about us?' Teenagers might not own houses or have careers, but we still have things we cling to—reputation, relationships, comfort, time, or identity. What is one thing that feels hard to surrender to Jesus right now, and what might 'giving it up to get' look like this week?

Leader Context: This is the core application. Normalize that surrender is hard. Use Psalm 23 if needed to remind them that the Shepherd leads even through valleys. Push for specific examples without forcing public confession. Redirect if a student says they have nothing to give up; help them see emotional or social 'property' like image, pride, or time.

Expected Answer: A student might say they cling to their social status or a relationship that pulls them away from faith. Giving it up could mean saying no to a party, changing who they follow online, or being honest about their faith at school even if it is awkward. The 'get' part is deeper peace with God, healthier community, and eternal reward that outweighs the temporary pain.

Transition: The sermon ended with a punchy line: you can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead. Let's land the plane by looking at how our choices this week actually echo in eternity.

## Q6: Send It Ahead (5 minutes) The sermon closed by saying, 'You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.' Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 and Hebrews 6:10. How does knowing that 'what we do in life echoes in eternity' change the way you want to live this coming week?

Leader Context: End with hope. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says our labor is not in vain; Hebrews 6:10 says God does not forget our work and love shown for His people. Close by having each student share one concrete way they will live with an eternal perspective. Redirect if students feel guilty about past wasted time; emphasize grace and fresh starts.

Expected Answer: Knowing my choices matter forever makes small sacrifices feel less pointless. This week I want to actually read my Bible instead of scrolling, or I want to invite a lonely classmate to sit with me even if it costs my comfort. If God remembers those moments, they are not wasted; they are treasure stored in heaven, and that gives my everyday life purpose.