Week 3

Look Back

What did you discover by reflecting on what you have left for the sake of Jesus and what you still struggle to leave?

Look Up

Read Mark 8:27-33 and Matthew 16:13-23

1. What do the disciples' answers to Jesus’ questions about who He was tell you about people? How do people today answer these questions?
2. How do you think Peter felt after Jesus’ comments in Matthew 16:17-19? What do you think Peter was thinking about after hearing Jesus’ words?
3. How did Peter respond when Jesus changed the subject and started telling the disciples about what was going to happen to Him? Have you ever had a similar conversation with God? If so, what was the outcome?
4. Put Jesus’ “rebuke” of Peter into your own words - what was Jesus’ message and how does this compare to what Jesus says to Peter in Matt 16:17-19? How do you think Peter felt at this point?

Read Mark 8:33-38

1. What does Jesus say about people and society in verses 35-37? How do these comments help clarify and apply Jesus’ rebuke of Peter?
2. Have you ever thought that resistance or disobedience could be a form of rebuke? What do these verses say about this?
3. What are some of the ways people today try to “save” their lives? How successful are most people and why do you think this is so?
4. Why do you think that Jesus said that people should deny themselves and give up their lives? How easy is it for you to accept and apply this personally?

Overall (Discovery Bible Study)

• What do these scriptures say about God?
• What do they say about people?
• How will I apply this to my life?

Look Ahead

In what ways do you have a tendency to rebuke or try to correct God? What are some things you need to surrender in order to receive the life God has for you? Group

Notes

The definition of rebuke is to criticize sharply or reprimand. People tend to do this when there is a difference of opinion or they are trying to correct someone else. Jesus taught that the only way to save our life was to surrender our will and opinions and follow Him.