Connect Are you ever tempted to rely on things (other than Jesus) to give you confidence before God? Take some time to repent of those things and renew your trust in the one who has made us clean.

Warm-Up

1. What has just happened in the account of the Gospel of Mark? What had disturbed Peter? Why?
2. How did Jesus respond to Peter’s rebuke? What did Jesus say must happen?

Read Mark 8:34-38

3. In verse 34, what is the threefold call of Jesus? What does it mean for us to deny ourselves? 
4. What does our culture think of self-denial? Is it something to be encouraged or discouraged?
5. If we deny ourselves who do we affirm? What does this look like for you in practice?
6. How does self-denial shape our ambitions, desires, comfort, and pride? 
7. What was the cross? What does it mean to ‘take up our cross’? How has that looked in your life?
8. Do you think this sounds very appealing? Why then would anyone want to become a disciple?
9. Do you ever find it challenging to deny yourself and to take up your cross? In what way? What helps?
10. How has following Jesus changed your agenda, identity, and hope? Try to identify a specific example.
11. Is there any area in your life in which your agenda, identity, and hope could be more ‘cross-shaped’?
12. What does Jesus mean by, “for whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and the gospel will save it?” What is the significance of the ‘for’?
13. What are the common things that our culture tends to chase to give meaning to life? What are the things (apart from God) that you can have a tendency or temptation to chase after?
14. Jesus poses two propositions in vv.36-37. How would you explain these to someone not yet a Christian?
15. As you think about people on your frontlines (i.e., where you live, learn, work, play, shop, and serve) would people agree or disagree with Jesus’ main point? In what way might they differ? 
16. Do you ever find this challenging? What helps give you clarity?
17. Does this mean that we are in a way earning our salvation? Why or why not? How are we saved?
18. Who is the Son of Man in verse 38? What does this Son of Man represent? 
19. When have we seen Jesus’ glory? When will we see it in full?
20. What does Jesus mean by ‘ashamed’? Is this more than being a bit embarrassed?
21. What emboldens you to feel proud of Jesus? When do you feel most intimated to be associated with him?
22. What is the basis for our confidence and security? As a follower of Jesus, what is one area in which you need more confidence right now? What might help nurture that confidence more?

Apply What has it cost you to follow Jesus? Do you think God is asking anything else of you?

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On Your Frontline this Week

What is a small act of kindness you can do while shopping this week?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (sermon): “The Call of Christ” by Tim Plyming:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Groups/139869/L099_New_Year_Foundations.aspx 
• Listen (sermon): “Gospel Discipleship” by Dick Lucas
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/1226/ 
• Listen (sermon): “I have a message from God to you” by Charlie Skrine:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Groups/367494/B038_Introducing_Jesus.aspx 
• Listen (sermon): “The Call of God’s King” by Suresh Menon:
  https://stebbes.org/sermons/the-call-of-gods-king/ 
• Watch (video): “Mark” overview by the Bible Project:
  https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/mark/ 

Series Resources

• Read (book): “Lent” by Esau McCaulley 📚
• Read (book): “Lent for Everyone (Mark)” by Tom Wright
• Read (children’s book): “The Friend and the Traveller” by Sam Brewster & Hannah Green 📚
• Read (devotional): Daily Lenten Devotional by Gospel in Life (Keller)
  gospelinlife.com/devotional/lent/ 
• Pray (prayer guide): “For the Persecuted Church” by Open Doors
  www.opendoors.org.au/get-involved/prayer/
  
  

📚 Available to borrow in the Church library

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