If you missed Sunday March 26th’s message, you can listen to it here.
- How did God speak to you during the service on Sunday?
- Read Mark 8:27-9:1 together. What jumps out to you from the text? What thoughts, questions or reflections does this passage raise for you?
- In verses 27-28, the disciples tell Jesus who others say that he is. In our culture today, how might we answer the question, “Who do people say that I am?”
- In verse 29, Peter got the answer right in saying that Jesus is the Messiah, but moments later (in verse 31) he rebuke Jesus. What is significant about this? What does this show us about Peter’s understanding of Jesus? How are we sometimes like Peter?
- In verse 31, Jesus talked openly about the suffering that he would have to endure because he is the Messiah. How did Jesus’ understanding of ‘being the Messiah’ conflict with Peter’s understanding?
- Why did Jesus rebuke Peter and say to Peter “Get behind me, Satan!”? What is different about God’s point of view different from the human point of view (V33)?
- Reflecting on the words of Jesus in verse 31, what is the role of suffering and sacrifice in the life of followers of Jesus?
- In verses 34-9:1, Jesus gave three specific things required of people who want to follow Jesus: Being a Cross-Carrying (V34 & 38 – Being ready willing to DIE for Christ), Being a Self-Denier (V35-37 – Being ready & willing to LIVE for Christ), and being a Kingdom-Advancer (9:1 – Being ready & willing to bring the Kingdom of God everywhere you go). What of the three is most challenging to you? Why?
- What is your next step coming out of this Sunday’s teaching? What is God saying to you? How are you to respond this week?
