CONNECT: How does submitting to King Jesus make a difference on your frontlines?

WARM-UP

1. How is chapter 8 a major turning point in the Gospel of Mark? Why is it so crucial?
2. If someone asked you “who do you say that Jesus is?”, how would you answer them?

READ Mark 8:27-30

1. What were all the various claims about who Jesus is? If you asked that question to some of your friends, who do you think they would say that Jesus is?
2. What is significant about Peter’s recognition of Jesus as the ‘Messiah’ (same as ‘Christ’ in Greek)?
3. What were the three general ‘markers’ of what people were expecting the Messiah to be/do?
4. How was the concept of a ‘suffering and crucified Messiah’ incompatible with what Peter had in mind? Is it ever incompatible with our own expectations?
5. Why did Jesus warn Peter not to tell anyone about him?

READ Mark 8:31-33

1. What does Jesus mean by ‘must suffer’ and ‘must be killed’? Who made it a necessity and why?
2. Why was it so shocking for the Messiah to be crucified? (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25)
3. Why does Jesus come back with such strong words to Peter?
4. In what way did Peter’s agenda not line up with God’s agenda?
5. How can our agendas sometimes not line up with God’s agenda for our lives? Do you think there could be something in your life right now that is not lining up with God’s will (e.g., sin, priorities, values)?

READ Mark 8:34-9:1

1. Losing and gaining our life can sound like a paradox! How is it not paradoxical in Jesus?
2. In what way is the taking up of the cross a (daily) radical reorientation of our lives to Jesus and not just an add-on? How has following Jesus involved (radical) reorienting of your life?
3. Why are we sometimes shy (ashamed?) of Jesus and his words? How can we get to the point in our lives where we are not ashamed?
4. How are Jesus’ words in 9:1 true? How have we witnessed this?

APPLY: Ask one friend (who is not a Christian) who they think that Jesus is.

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On Your Frontline This Week: What opportunity do you have each day to show grace and love? How can you be more intentional this week?

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen and Watch:          

• AUDIO: “What does it mean to be a Christian?” by William Taylor
• AUDIO: “At last the blind see - or do they?” by Dick Lucas:

Read:

• BOOK: “Doubter’s Guide to Jesus” by John Dickson
• ARTICLE: “Why does Jesus Heal the Blind Man in Two Stages in Mark 8?” by Robert Plummer:

Series Resources:

• RESOURCES: The Gospel of Mark (Video Overviews and More)
• RESOURCES: Gospel Coalition Mark Courses
• VIDEO: The Bible Project Mark Overview
• VIDEO/AUDIO: iTunes U, Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
• VIDEO: Training on the Purpose of Mark