On November 4, 2018 I preached a sermon at Wildwood Community Church based on Matthew 16:21-28, 17:22-23, 20:17-19. This message was part 2 in the “Reveal” sermon series. Below are a series of questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion.
Sermon Questions:
- Pray
- Read Matthew 16:21-28, 17:22-23, 20:17-19
- What are some common misconceptions people have about God? (In other words, are there things that many ASSUME are true about God, but may not be true?)
- In all the Scripture passages read above, Jesus prophecied about His death long before it happened. This means that Jesus KNEW what was awaiting Him in Jerusalem and yet He proceeded to walk straight there! What does this tell you about Jesus?
- What are some ways that you are tempted to discard REVELATION from God in Scripture in favor of your personal REASON or intuition?
- Discipleship is about following Jesus. As we follow Him, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves by making Jesus the center of our lives (not ourselves at the center of our lives.) Have you made this decision? Are you continuing to make this decision in all areas of your life today? If not, where do you need to practice “self-denial” today?
- As we follow Jesus, we also must take up a cross. Taking up a cross is not a generic sense of hardship, but specific opposition and ridicule that we will experience because of our connection to Jesus. Have you experienced this kind of opposition before? If so, what was it?
- Jesus promises us that following Him is worth it, as He will reward us in the end. In what ways is it “worth it” to follow Jesus . . . even if it means denying yourself today and experiencing ridicule and persecution?
- What is one particular application you took away from this message?
To access these questions in pdf format, click here.