Study and discussion
In the last session we saw that Jesus came to cure our heart problem – our sin. That leads us to the cross.
Difficult words:
Satan: A spiritual being whose name means “adversary”. He is the adversary of God, his people, and all that is good. He is also called the devil.
Ransom: A price paid so that a slave could be set free.
Read Mark 8:22-33
Question 1
Generally speaking, who do people today believe Jesus is? What do they base these views on?

Question 2
Peter’s statement in Mark 8:29 seems to form a turning point in Mark’s Gospel (see Mark 8:31). What did Peter say, and why do you think it was so important
Question 3
Once the identity of Jesus was clear (Mark 8:29), he went on to explain his mission in Mark 8:31-32. Why do you think Peter rebuked Jesus? (See Mark 8:32-33.)
Question 4
Mark records the two-stage healing of the blind man in Mark 8:22-26. The healing process took the blind man from seeing nothing (Mark 8:22) to seeing something (Mark 8:24) to seeing everything (Mark 8:25). How clearly are the disciples “seeing” the identity and mission of Jesus in Mark 8:27-33?
Question 5
Jesus told Peter he had in mind “the things of men”.
What phrase did Jesus use to describe his suffering and
death (Mark 8:33)?
What does this tell us about his mission?
Question 6
In Mark 8:29, Jesus asks: “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Are you able to give a definite answer to this question yet? If so, how would you answer and why?
Question 7
How would you feel if someone else deliberately took the punishment for something serious you had done wrong?
Question 8
Jesus said he came “to give his life as a ransom” for sinners (Mark 10:45). What will you do with your sin?
Read Mark 11:1-33
Question 9
What is the crowd’s attitude towards Jesus as he arrives in
Jerusalem? (See Mark 11:8-10.)

Question 10
The Old Testament prophet Zechariah wrote about a time when someone would ride into Jerusalem (also called Zion) on a colt (Zechariah 9:9).
What would the crowd understand about Jesus when he arrived in that way?

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