Lesson 1: Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

​Lesson 1
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
Luke 9:18-26
 
1.       Read Luke 9:18-27 twice. Write down any key ideas or phrases that catch your attention. What are the key principles you believe we ought to draw from this text? Why did you choose those principles?
 
 
 
 
2.       In verse 18, Jesus is praying. At some point during that prayer, Jesus turned to his disciples and asked them who the crowds said he was. What answers did they give him in verse 19? Why would they have given the names they did?
 
 
 
 
3.       Jesus then responded by asking his disciples who they thought he was (v. 20). How did Peter answer? Why was his answer significant?
 
 
 
What are three prevalent errors people believe about Jesus in our culture today?
 
 
 
 
4.       In verses 21-22, Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man who would suffer many things, be rejected, be killed, and be raised on the third day. Read Daniel 7:9-22 and Isaiah 52:13-53:12. What do these two texts teach us about the Son of Man and the Suffering Servant?
 
 
 
 
Why did Jesus use those designations about himself?
 
 
 
 
The New Testament tells us repeatedly that Jesus came to his own (the Jews) but they rejected him. Why do you think so many rejected him? What hints do the Daniel and Isaiah texts give you?
 
 
 
 
 
List three reasons why people reject Jesus today.
 
 
 
 
5.       According to Jesus, a person must do three things if he would come after Jesus and be his disciple (vv. 23-24)? Next to each one, describe what it means and what it should realistically look like in practice.
 
·         Deny yourself –
 
 
 
·         Take up your cross –
 
 
 
·         Follow Jesus –
 
 
 
 
6.       Read verse 24. How do you save your life by losing it? How do we lose our lives for the sake of Jesus?
 
 
 
 
7.       Explain verse 25 in your own words.
 
 
 
 
Give three examples of how a person might “gain the whole world” and lose or forfeit himself.
 
 
 
 
How does this verse motivate you? Explain.
 
 
 
 
8.       What does it mean to be ashamed of Jesus and his words (v. 26)?
 
 
 
 
 
 
How does Jesus say he will respond to the person who is ashamed of him (v. 26)?
 
 
 
Have you ever been ashamed of Jesus and his words? Describe the situation as fully as you can?
 
 
 
Walking Points 

9.       Who do you say Jesus is? Why?
 
 
 
 
Why does it matter what a person thinks about Jesus’ identity?
 
 
 
10.    Suppose you’re writing a letter to a friend to explain who Jesus is. Write down three different titles (example: Lord), accompanying Scripture, what the title means, and why you would want your friend to know that about Jesus.
 
 
 
 
 
11.    What are three misunderstandings people in our culture have regarding what it means to be a Christian? Why do you think they have those views?
 
 
 
 
12.    How are you doing when it comes to denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus? In what areas are you doing well? In what areas do you struggle? Explain.
 
 
 
 
What are three things you can begin doing today to help you more faithfully obey this command of Jesus?


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