Meeting B: Following Jesus Christ

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By C.S. Lewis Institute on February 20, 2023 ,

Following Jesus Christ

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?  

Mark 8:34-37 (ESV)

1. Opening Prayer

2. Scripture Reading

Read aloud the Bible passage at the top of this page (Mark 8:34-37).

3. Group Discussion

(1)  What struck you the most about Pastor Kynes’ teaching in the video, “Following Jesus Christ”?  If you were telling a friend or family member about it, what would you highlight?  What will you remember?

 (2) The article, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ as Christianity’s Centerpiece, by Benjamin C. Shaw and Gary R. Habermas, begins with the sentence, “Jesus’ resurrection is at the very core of the message preached by His disciples.” What verses from Scripture are cited by the authors in support of this statement.  (See first paragraph of article.) After considering the article, how does this event influence the present lives of believers?

(3) In light of the reading in chapter three of Habits of Grace, what is Christian meditation?  How does it differ from the meditation practiced in non-Christian systems?  What are the benefits of Christian meditation?

(4) Considering Reflections, “The Risk of Love,” what are some of the temptations we face that may lead us to protect ourselves from real relationships—with others and with God?

(5) What struck you when reading Mark 8:27-38? As you were doing the Bible Study for this passage, did you find the notes included in your Study Bible to be helpful?  If so, in what ways?

4. Prayer Requests

5. Closing Prayer

Homework

 1. Reflect

Within a day or two after the meeting, prayerfully reflect on the meeting and its content.

2. Change

As you consider the Bible studies, readings, teaching video and other activities you have completed over the last month in studying the theme—Following Jesus Christ—are there changes you would like to make in your life, or other actions you would like to take at this time?

3. Prayer

Lord, you are so good to me. I don’t deserve your love and grace but I am so thankful for it.
Your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Please
help me submit fully to your lordship in my life. Help me to continue to pursue this goal
every day, and to help others do the same. I give my entire self over to you Lord. Amen.

4. Prepare for the Next Meeting

Coming Next:  Theme 3:  Walking in the Holy Spirit—Meeting A

(1) Read booklet, The Holy Spirit, by Kevin DeYoung, pp. 7-25 (~18 pages)

(2) Read book, How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit, by A.W. Tozer, pp. 5-64 (~59 pages)

(3)  Read article, “Being Led and Transformed by the Holy Spirit,” by Tom Tarrants, found on the CSLI website (from Knowing & Doing, Winter 2017,  ~5 pages).

(4) Complete Bible Study,

(4) Complete Bible Study, Mark 8:27-38, 9:1.

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38) If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Mark 9:1
And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

  1. Read. Carefully read these passages.  As you do so, consider the following: What does the text say?  What was the original intent?  What does the passage mean?  How does the passage apply to my life, and the lives of others, today?

Discussion Questions:

  1. Based on this text, what was Peter’s understanding of the Messiah? Why did he rebuke Jesus when he spoke of his coming death and resurrection?

  2. What are some worldly sources of personal identity?

  3. What do these verses say about how we find our true identity?

2. Reflect. According to this passage, what would Christians be missing without the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.

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