Luke 9:18-27
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This is the second of nine sermons in our series on ‘Discipleship Lessons from Luke’. This sermon is on ‘Confessing'.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: Where has God sent you this week? What is one way that you can show or share the Good News on one of your frontlines this week?
WARM-UP Question
- When did you first really know Jesus (and not just know ‘about’ him)?
READ Luke 9:18-27
- Who was Jesus mistaken for? Why do you think there was so much confusion about who Jesus was?
- Why do you think Jesus was so interested not only in what the crowds thought about him, but particularly what the disciples thought about him? Do you think Jesus is interested in you answering that same question (“Who do you say that I am?”)?
- What was Peter’s answer? What does this actually mean? (Try to think about what it means as a title, along with what it means personally.)
- Do you think Jesus is God’s Messiah? Can you pinpoint the time at which you recognised this truth?
- How can we help people more clearly see who he claims to be, rather than who they simply think he is?
- After the declaration of Jesus’ Kingship (as God’s Messiah), do you think it would have shocked the disciples that he immediately starts speaking of his death? Why does the cross matter and why is it so integral - that he must suffer - to his mission as God’s King?
- As followers of Jesus, what does it mean to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus? How is this different from the general way that people refer to having a ‘cross to bear’?
- Why is ‘disowning’ our lives not a negative thing? If this isn’t an occasional part of being a Christian, what do you think it looks like (practically) to increasingly yield to the authority of Jesus?
- Can you think of one particular area of your life in which you need to yield more to Jesus?
- What does Jesus mean by verses 24 and 25? How would you explain to someone unfamiliar with it?
- Do you think we’re ever at risk of being ashamed of Jesus? What did Jesus mean by this?
- Because of Jesus, what is the great promise that we can look forward to it?
- Think about the person who you are longing to become a follower of Jesus this year. Why is it so important for you that they put their trust in Jesus?
APPLY: What is one way this week that you can yield more to Jesus?
Prayer
Gracious Father, thank you so much for Jesus! Thank you that he truly is the Messiah, that he went to the cross for us, and that we can have confidence of salvation by putting our trust in him. Please help us to yield more of our lives to you that many may come to put their trust in Jesus. Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: Pray for courage & last minute opportunities to invite friends along to our Public Lecture this Friday night at 7:00PM.
Audio and Video
- AUDIO: “Vox Pop Christianity” by John Chapman
- AUDIO: “The Call (to die)” by Justin Adour
- AUDIO: “Luke 9:18-27: Worth my Investment?” by William Taylor
- AUDIO: “Deal or No Deal with Q&A” by Aneirin Glyn
- “As the moon landing unfolded, Buz Aldrin took communion” by Simon Smart
Other Helpful Resources (For Series)
- 13-Week Series on Luke by Gary Millar (QTC):
- ARTICLE: “The 6Ms - Uncovering Fruitfulness Where You Are”
- BOOK: Overview of Luke by the Bible Project
- BOOK: “Luke (Read, Mark, Learn Series)”
