Luke 9:18-27
Key Verse 9:23 “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”
1. Why did Jesus ask his disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?” (18) What does their answer show about people’s opinions of Jesus? (19)
2. What was Jesus’ second question and how was it different from the first? (20) What does Peter’s answer mean? (20; Luke 1:69-71, 79) Why is his answer different from the crowds’ opinion?
3. Why did Jesus tell them to keep his identity a secret at this time? (21) What did Jesus tell them about the work and life of the Messiah? (22) Why was it necessary that he suffer and die? (cf. Isaiah 53:3-7, Romans 8:3-4)
4. What is required in order to be Jesus’ disciple? (23) What does it mean to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus?
5. In what ways do we try to save our own lives? (24-25; see the example of Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10) What does it mean to lose one’s life for Jesus’ sake? How can we not be ashamed of Jesus in our current society?