
INTRODUCTION
In this message series, Pastor Cory talks about Jesus—who He is, how He taught, and what He said. Each week, he will be unpacking some of the things that Jesus said that have been misquoted and misunderstood. This week he is going to talk about what Jesus meant when He said “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34-38).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How has this message changed or challenged what “deny yourself daily” means? What does that look like in your daily life and how would you apply it?
- Pastor Cory said “Be the person in somebody else’s life that you would love to have in yours”. What does that person look like and how do they treat you?
- What part of this message spoke to you the most?
MOVING FORWARD
Following Jesus means more than just following a new set of rules and regulations. It means to learn how to life a completely different kind of life that is motivated by love, not just any kind of love but God’s love. As you learn to let God love you daily and allow trusting Him to be your daily guide, you no longer have to “take care of number 1”. God’s amazing love frees us to stop thinking about ourselves every single moment of the day and engage in the joy of loving others without an agenda. Love God daily and let Him love you. Then out of that, love the people He puts in your life. Love God, Love People. Yes, it is that simple.
CHANGING YOUR MIND
Mark 8:34-38
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? 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.” —https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MRK.8.34-38.NIV