In Luke 12:1-7, Jesus warned against identifying with him in public while denying him in private (hypocrisy). In Luke 12:8-9, he warns against following him in private while denying in public (shame, fear). Can you identify with either of these phenomena? Do you have tendencies toward either one? If so, how do you fight against them?

Why do you think that Jesus places such a strong emphasis on acknowledging Him before other people?

What are some practical ways in our lives that we can actively acknowledge Jesus before other people? What are some ways that we might be inadvertently denying Jesus before others, that we can look out for and guard against?

What is the difference between “speaking a word against the Son of Man” and “blaspheming the Holy Spirit”? Why is it that one (speaking a word against the Son of Man) can be forgiven, while the other (blaspheming the Holy Spirit) cannot?

What is Jesus talking about in 12:11-12? What kinds of sins and heart postures is it warning us against?

What does the Bible have to say about diligence, preparation, hard work? Is it possible to be lazy and under-prepare? Is it possible to be too self-reliant, and over-prepare? If so, what do these look like, and how can we guard against them?

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