2023
Jesus the Servant
Passage: Mark 8:31-38
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What are the differences between admiring and following someone? Can you think of examples of each in your life?
Read Mark 8:27-38. What ideas or phrases surprise, encourage, or spark questions for you?
In verse 29 Jesus asked his disciples, “who do you say I am?” Why do you think Jesus asked them this question?
Our answer to Jesus’s question is the most important thing about us. Pastor Kevin DeYoung explains, “The question is doubly crucial in our day because not every Jesus is the real Jesus.” Consider some of the ways we make Jesus into someone to admire instead of following: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/who-do-you-say-i-am/ Which of these are you most prone to be sympathetic towards?
In Mark 8:31-38, how does Jesus describe the life of a follower?
To pick up our cross is to say, “not my will, but your will be done” in following Jesus. We are called to do this in every area of ourselves and our lives – our finances, sexuality, our past and our future, our relationships, ideas of success, etc. What practices, disciplines, relationships, or ideas help you in carrying your cross holistically in life, saying “not my will but God’s will be done”?
PRAYER
Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?
“As a reconciled Father, take me to be your child; and give me your renewing Spirit, to be in me a principle of holy life, and light, and love, and your seal and witness that I am yours. Let him quicken my dead and hardened heart. Let him enlighten my dark unbelieving mind, by clearer knowledge and firm belief. Let him turn my will to the ready obedience of your holy will. Let him reveal to my soul the wonders of your love in Christ, and fill it with love to you and my Redeemer, and to all your holy Word and works. Amen.” Richard Baxter (1615-1691, English Puritan pastor)