Study and discussion
During the last three sessions we saw why we need to listen carefully to God’s word, ask humbly for mercy, and choose wisely how we will respond to Jesus. In this closing session we will consider what it means to follow Jesus.
Question 1
Mark 1:14-15 says: 14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15“The time has come,”he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
All through Christianity Explored we have heard about the good news. In this passage it’s mentioned twice. But to understand the good news, we need to understand the “bad news” first.
What is the “bad news” in the following three passages?
a) 20He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)
b) 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.[44] 45And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.[46] 47And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell… (Mark 9:43-47)
c) 26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27)
Question 2
“Jesus went … proclaiming the good news” (Mark 1:14). What is the “good news” answer to these questions from the course?
Why did Jesus come?
Why did Jesus die?
Why did Jesus rise?
How can God accept us?
Question 3
“Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). To “repent” means to turn back in the opposite direction to the one you were travelling in. And to “believe the good news” means to act upon it, to build your life upon it. What would that mean for you?
Question 4
Mark 8:34 says: 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.” Have you denied yourself?
What does taking up your cross mean? Are you willing to suffer (rediculed, mistreated, cancelled, loose your job or reputation) for being a Christian?
Hebrews 12:1-3 says: 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
What does Jesus say about suffering in verse 2?
Question 5
The title of this last session is Come and die. Describe what this means to you? Are suffering (now) and glory (everlasting future) interconnected?
Question 6
Is there reason for you to give thanks to the Lord and praise Him?
During the last three sessions we saw why we need to listen carefully to God’s word, ask humbly for mercy, and choose wisely how we will respond to Jesus. In this closing session we will consider what it means to follow Jesus.
Question 1
Mark 1:14-15 says: 14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15“The time has come,”he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
All through Christianity Explored we have heard about the good news. In this passage it’s mentioned twice. But to understand the good news, we need to understand the “bad news” first.
What is the “bad news” in the following three passages?
a) 20He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)
b) 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.[44] 45And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.[46] 47And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell… (Mark 9:43-47)
c) 26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:26-27)
Question 2
“Jesus went … proclaiming the good news” (Mark 1:14). What is the “good news” answer to these questions from the course?
Why did Jesus come?
Why did Jesus die?
Why did Jesus rise?
How can God accept us?
Question 3
“Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). To “repent” means to turn back in the opposite direction to the one you were travelling in. And to “believe the good news” means to act upon it, to build your life upon it. What would that mean for you?
Question 4
Mark 8:34 says: 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.” Have you denied yourself?
What does taking up your cross mean? Are you willing to suffer (rediculed, mistreated, cancelled, loose your job or reputation) for being a Christian?
Hebrews 12:1-3 says: 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
What does Jesus say about suffering in verse 2?
Question 5
The title of this last session is Come and die. Describe what this means to you? Are suffering (now) and glory (everlasting future) interconnected?
Question 6
Is there reason for you to give thanks to the Lord and praise Him?