SERIES: Hunting Giants
MESSAGE: The Giant of Silence
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14:1-10

MESSAGE SUMMARY
"Silence is golden," says the old adage. But that is true only sometimes. Many other times, to be silent is to be complicit in the evil that is being committed around us. John the Baptist, one of the most outspoken prophetic voices in history, helps us navigate the need to speak out against evil and immorality. He confronted a powerful political leader of his day, pointing out where he had violated God’s law. John was imprisoned and executed as a result. Should Christians enter the public square to dialogue about moral issues? Yes, but let’s see how.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Guide: August 22, 2021
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: “The Giant of Silence”
Text: Matthew 14:1-10

Main Point
“Silence is golden,” says the old adage. But that is true only sometimes. Many other times, to be silent is to be complicit in the evil that is being committed around us. John the Baptist, one of the most outspoken prophetic voices in history, helps us navigate the need to speak out against evil and immorality. He confronted a powerful political leader of his day, pointing out where he had violated God’s law. John was imprisoned and executed as a result. Should Christians enter the public square to dialogue about moral issues? Yes, but let’s see how.

“At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another.” —Matthew 24:10 (AMP)

Talk about It

  1. If a king told you that you could ask for anything in the world, what would you ask for?
  2. Share a time when you had the courage to confront a moral issue with truth, in love, even though it was difficult. What was the outcome, and was it worth it?
  3. How should we sensitively, lovingly share the gospel in a culture offended by Jesus? Discuss the personal cost. Discuss the cost of staying silent. Which cost is ultimately worth paying?
  4. Can you think of an area in your life where your actions are governed by your fear? Read Proverbs 29:25.
“When you fear God, you don’t have to fear anyone else; when you kneel before God, you can stand up to anyone.” —Pastor Skip

Make It Practical
Reading Plan: This week, consider the people in Scripture who had the courage to be faithful and confront the giant of silence. Share your insights throughout the week.
Pray
Father, help us to be bold and not only when it comes easy in the presence of those who agree with us. It’s difficult when we are standing alone in the midst of people who seek our demise. You know that; You promised that it would be difficult. Help us to not retreat to safety, but in Your love, speak up and speak out for You. There are still so many that You want to save and transform. Let us be a part of that work by speaking the truth in love. Lead us to be a people who truly fear You, in reverential awe and wonder. In Jesus’ name.

Cross references: Ecclesiastes 3:7; Matthew 3:7; 24:10-12; Mark 6:20; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 2:8

OUTLINE


  1. The Guilty Conscience of a Politician (vv. 1-10)

  2. The Gutsy Courage of a Prophet (v. 4)

  3. The Great Cost for God’s People (vv. 3, 10)

Keywords: boldness, confrontation, fear, the gospel, love, moral issues, morality, persecution, sin, truth


The Giant of Silence - Matthew 14:1-10 | SkipHeitzig.com/4674
Page |