INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE
Gospel of Mark - Week 13
Session Title:
“Crushing Sacrifice”
Mark 8:27-38 (Focal Passage: 8:34-36)
Central Teaching/Learning Aim:
The learner will discuss the
characteristics of authentic discipleship and be challenged to model these traits in the
coming week
I. Hook
A. Share the following humorous list:
This is a list of “The Worlds Thinnest Books.” The content is so sparse that it fills
only a few pages.
“Northern Hospitality”
“Female Driving Heroes”
“Intelligent Things Men Say”
“Bin Laden’s Tips on Personal Hygiene”
“Things I Can’t Afford” by Bill Gates
“Dr. Kevorkian’s Collection of Motivational Speeches”
“The Amish Phone Directory”
“O.J. Simpson’s Plan to Find the Real Killers”
One that you can add that relates to this week’s lesson is:
“The Disciples Guide to Understanding Jesus”
State – The Disciples struggled with grasping that Jesus was both man and
supernatural. They had to learn many lessons along the way.
Ask – Why do you think it was so difficult for them to grasp the power and
significance of Jesus? Do you think you would have come around more quickly?
Read – (Mark 8:27-38) Ask members to listen for evidence that the Disciples were
still confused.
State – Today we are going to discuss how Jesus established who He was and
what it would take to be a Christ-follower.
B.
Optional Method – Display and discuss the ramifications of the following two
quotes:
Christ says, "Give me all. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your
money and so much of your work: I want you. I have not come to torment your
natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a
branch here and a branch there. I want to have the whole tree down. I don't want
to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole
natural self, all the desires which you think are innocent as well as the ones you
think are wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will
give you myself: my own will shall become yours."
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (HarperOne, 2001), p. 196-197
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Next – Show a clip from the hit TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Location: Season 4, Episode 14 (The Prodigal Son)
Synopsis: In this scene, Ray decides to go to church but finds it difficult to
actually go into the service. He decides he would rather be an usher when he
sees his dad and the other men avoiding the service.
Next – Share the following:
After nine seasons, the popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond broadcast its
final episode in May of 2005. The star of the show, Ray Romano, went from life
as a struggling stand-up comedian to one of the highest-paid actors on television.
At the conclusion of the last day’s filming, Romano spoke to the studio audience,
reflecting on his past and his future. He read from a note his brothers had stuck
in his luggage the day he moved from New York to Hollywood, nine years earlier.
“My older brother Richard wrote, ‘What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole
world, and loses his soul?’” said a tearful Romano. “Now I’m going to work on my
soul.”
Ray Romano, "Biography," A&E (5-13-05)
State – Today we are going to discuss how Jesus established who He was and
what it would take to be a Christ-follower.
C. Optional Method – Movie Clip – Fireproof
Start: 00:30:39
Stop: 00:32:51
DVD Chapter 9
Synopsis: Fireproof is the story of Caleb and Kathryn Holt, a couple which is
considering divorce after seven years of marriage. In one last attempt to salvage
their marriage, Caleb's father asks Caleb to try a 40-day experiment he calls The
Love Dare. Caleb agrees. In this scene Caleb (Kirk Cameron), a firefighter, is
sitting at a kitchen table in the firehouse with his co-worker, Michael (Ken Bevel).
Caleb has just told Michael about The Love Dare.
"Forty days?" Michael asks. "Does Kathryn know?"
Shaking his head no, Caleb replies, "I'm not going to tell her. If she wants to go
ahead and file [for divorce] it's up to her."
"Divorce is a hard thing," Michael says.
"Well, if it brings peace…" replies Caleb.
"Caleb, you want the right kind of peace."
"What do you mean by that?" asks Caleb.
Michael, pointing to Caleb's wedding band, asks, "Do you know what that ring on
your finger means?"
"It means I'm married," Caleb answers smugly.
"Well, it also means you made a lifelong covenant," says Michael. "You putting on
that ring while saying your vows—that's the sad part about it. When most people
promise for better or for worse, they really mean 'for better.'"
"Kathryn and I were in love when we first got married," Caleb explains. "But today
we're two very different people. It's just not working out anymore."
Michael grabs the salt and pepper shakers that are sitting on the table. He holds
them up and says, "Caleb, salt and pepper are completely different. Their make up
is different. Their taste is different. Their color. But you always see them together.
And when you—. Hold on just a second."
Michael grabs a tube of glue and glues the salt and pepper shakers together.
Surprised, Caleb says, "What did you do that for?"
"Caleb," Michael says, "when two people get married, it's for better or for worse.
For richer for poorer. In sickness and in health."
Frustrated, Caleb says, "I know that! But marriages aren't fireproof. Sometimes you
get burned."
"Being fireproof doesn't mean that a fire will never come," Michael says, "but that
when it comes you'll be able to withstand it."
Caleb picks up the salt and pepper shakers and tries his best to pull them apart.
"You didn't have to glue them together," he says.
"Don't do it, Caleb," says Michael. "If you pull them apart now, you'll break either
one or both of them."
Fireproof (Samuel Goldwyn Pictures/Sherwood Pictures, 2008), directed by Alex
Kendrick
Ask: What similarities do marriage and discipleship have in common? What role
does sacrifice play in each?
Read (Mark 8:27-38). Ask members to listen for a call to sacrificial living.
State – Today we are going to discuss how Jesus established who He was and
what it would take to be a Christ-follower.
II. Book
A. Utilize the Discussion Guide to examine the Scripture passages.
III. Look
A. Place members into groups and have them complete the group assignments.
Display the following questions for them to discuss based off their article.
1. How does this story demonstrate authentic discipleship?
2. How are the people in this story making an eternal difference?
3. What can you do to make an eternal difference?
IV. Took
A. Instruct groups to spend the final minutes of class praying about living as
authentic disciples this week.
Display the following things for them to pray about:
1. Pray for renewed commitment that Jesus is Lord.
2. Pray for the will and courage to live sacrificially.
3. Pray thanking God for all of His sacrifice for your sake.
DISCUSSION GUIDE - Teacher Copy
1. When Jesus asked the Disciples how people viewed Him they expressed the
misconceptions of His identity. How do people today miss His identity? (Mark
8:27)
2. Why are there only 3 options for Christ’s identity; liar, lunatic or Lord?
3. How was Peter’s response accurate but inadequate? (vs. 29-33)
[He recognized Jesus as the Messiah but still did not grasp the mission of
Christ.]
4. What is the significance of Jesus’ use of the term “Son of Man” to describe
himself? (v. 31)
[This term was a specific reference to the prediction of (Daniel 7:13-14). It
referred to the divine representative who would bring the Rule of God to
earth.]
5. Peter could not comprehend that for Jesus to redeem the world He would have to
suffer greatly on the cross. What does Christ’s suffering mean to you?
6. Peter was rebuked for thinking on man’s interests, not God’s. How and where are
you guilty of the same?
7. Outline Jesus’ definition of true authentic discipleship.
a. (v. 34)
A disciple is willing to take earthly losses for Christ’s sake
b.
A disciple is willing to reject earthly gains that sacrifice
obedience
c.
A disciple will make heavenly investments for Christ’s sake
8. How do you take earthly losses for Christ?
9. How do you reject earthly gains that sacrifice obedience?
10. How are you making heavenly investments?
11. How can Christians act ashamed of Christ and His mission?
12. What do you need to alter in your life this week to live unashamedly for Christ?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Student Copy
1. When Jesus asked the Disciples how people viewed Him they expressed the
misconceptions of His identity. How do people today miss His identity? (Mark
8:27)
2. Why are there only 3 options for Christ’s identity; liar, lunatic or Lord?
3. How was Peter’s response accurate but inadequate? (vs. 29-33)
4. What is the significance of Jesus’ use of the term “Son of Man” to describe
himself? (v. 31)
5. Peter could not comprehend that for Jesus to redeem the world He would have to
suffer greatly on the cross. What does Christ’s suffering mean to you?
6. Peter was rebuked for thinking on man’s interests, not God’s. How and where are
you guilty of the same?
7. Outline Jesus’ definition of true authentic discipleship.
a. (v. 34)
b.
c.
8. How do you take earthly losses for Christ?
9. How do you reject earthly gains that sacrifice obedience?
10. How are you making heavenly investments?
11. How can Christians act ashamed of Christ and His mission?
12. What do you need to alter in your life this week to live unashamedly for Christ?
Group 1
The Partnership of Missions and Business in China
In an article for Today's Christian about the rapid growth of the church in China (now 70
million strong), Rob Moll tells the story of a missionary and businessman called Uncle
Daniel, offering a glimpse into God's work in a seemingly closed society:
Uncle Daniel spent years as a missionary to China's rural villages. There, he said, it was
like the Book of Acts, complete with miracles, exorcisms, and mass conversions. From
1982 to 1992, he experienced arrest, persecution, and tremendous success planting
churches in Henan province. But, Uncle Daniel says, "I started very, very poor. While I
was very poor, I had no home. I had a wife. I had children, but I had no food." At the
time, he considered it a spiritual badge of honor. "But a brother came to talk to me and
said I was wrong to neglect my family." Instead, the man suggested to Uncle Daniel, "I
would like to help you to start a business."
After ten years as a missionary, Uncle Daniel's family called him back home to the
southern coastal city of Wenzhou. He now owns and directs a number of factories in the
rapidly growing city. Yet, Uncle Daniel still considers himself a missionary. "For me as a
businessman," he says, "I put it in this order: Increasing my business productivity to
build God's kingdom and send out his servants. That is the three-pointed triangle of my
life."
Because of people like Uncle Daniel, churches are springing up like bamboo shoots in
the city—and wherever these churches send missionaries, including many to the Middle
East. And no matter what country these missionaries move to, they are fully supported
by the profits of the city's Christian-owned businesses. "We want to be part of the global
church," Uncle Daniel says. "We want to be part of the reinforcement for world
missions."
After more than 25 years as a church leader in China, Uncle Daniel sees God's hand in
the country's economic and political assent. "God has His eyes set on China. I am
seeing that in the policy of the government. I am seeing that in the change of the politics
and economics and the change in our morality."
Last Christmas, Uncle Daniel's church, as well as other unregistered churches in
Wenzhou, provided "parcels of love" to the cities needy. "I believe God will allow China
to become strong," says Uncle Daniel, "not just for political reasons, but far more for His
kingdom purpose."
Rob Moll, "China's Growing Church," Today's Christian (July/August 2008)
Group 2
Man Raises Millions for Families in Need by Sleeping in His Tent
People call him "Shoe Bob," but his real name is Bob Fisher. He owns a small shoe repair shop
tucked in a corner of a little strip mall in Wayzata, Minnesota. Average height, average build.
Shoe Bob looks like your average, hard-working, churchgoing guy.
But he is not an average guy.
Shoe Bob is a radical servant who has found a way to help the homeless. He helps the
homeless by rallying his whole community, and he does it in his sleep.
In 1995 Bob was invited to go winter camping, something a man with a childhood fear of
freezing to death had never considered. He kept his fear a secret from even his closest friends,
hoping to one day overcome it with God and Minnesota.
"I purchased a pup tent, pitched it in the backyard, and bundled up in the warmest clothes I
had," Bob recalls. "My plan was to sleep in the tent for one night without retreating to my
house." Bob tried, but sleep eluded him. And each breath he took felt like sucking polar air. He
was cold.
So he prayed. …
Bob prayed that he could last the whole night outside so he could tell his friends he gave it his
best. But while he was tossing and turning trying to stay warm, God spoke to him. "This is a
good idea, sleeping out here," [God] seemed to say. "Why don't you move the tent to the front
yard and sleep outside to help the needy in Wayzata?"
Bob thought he heard God wrong. …
[But after doing a little] homework, [he] discovered that despite Wayzata's affluence, there were
still needy people in his midst. He made a connection with the Interfaith Outreach & Community
Partners, a local nonprofit organization that provides food, financial assistance, and emergency
shelter to those in need.
In November 1996, Bob committed to sleeping in his tent on his front lawn, as God had
suggested, until he could raise $7,000 to buy Thanksgiving dinners for 100 families. In 14 days,
Bob was back in his own bed—he had raised $10,000. When Bob realized the most pressing
need facing the needy in and around Wayzata was housing, he resolved to repeat his sleepout
each year, dedicating the funds he raised to help meet housing needs of families in his
community. …
[Since 1996], Shoe Bob has raised more than $5,500,000 for the Interfaith Outreach ministry.
Margaret Terry, "Wide Asleep in Minnesota," Today's Christian (November/December 2006)
Group 3
Man’s Sacrifices Change Neighborhood Children
In the September/October 2007 issue of Today's Christian, Shirley Shaw tells the story
of how the sacrifices of a successful cabinet maker named Terry Lane continue to
change a drug-riddled neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida.
My business had prospered to the point my 40-man staff needed more space to
produce the quality cabinets for which Mid-Lane was well known. We found an ideal
location in northwest Jacksonville and in 1985 built a 25,000 square foot state-of-the-art
plant that was soon humming with activity. Life was good. But my peace and comfort
were short lived.
Almost immediately, problems erupted. Every night the burglar alarm sounded, and I
was summoned to the plant by police officers. Broken windows, shots fired, bullet holes
in the walls, stolen equipment, vandalism—even incinerated cars in the parking lot.
One night an officer asked me, "What possessed you to build a plant this close to 'The
Rock'?"
"What do you mean, 'The Rock'?" I asked.
"The Cleveland Arms apartments," he responded. "More crack cocaine is sold here than
anywhere in Jacksonville, so we call it 'The Rock.'" And he proceeded to enlighten me
about my new neighborhood. The 200-unit subsidized housing complex was occupied
by drug dealers, prostitutes, and felons, a place considered so dangerous police were
hesitant to go there…
As I sat mulling over the situation, from out of nowhere came a thought so clear it was
almost audible: If you'll love those who despitefully use you, I'll take care of it. Stunned
and shaken by God's admonition, I wondered how I'd obey this gentle command. Then I
sensed him say, "Forget about all the shooting and all the garbage. Look at the
children." …
Days went by as I prayed for my neighbors and tried to figure out how to connect with
this community. I bought several basketballs, wrote "Jesus loves you" and "Mr. Lane
loves you" on them, and threw them over the fence into the complex. There was no
immediate reaction, but at least they didn't throw them back.
Then one Saturday while working alone, I stepped outside for a break. I heard the noise
of children playing beneath a tractor trailer parked on the property. When they saw me,
one said, "There's the man," and they started running.
"Wait," I called. "Would you like something cold to drink?" Four or five little kids followed
me into the plant where I opened the soft drink machine and gave them a cold soda
pop. They went home, and I thought no more about it. Until Monday afternoon when I
heard a commotion in the lobby and the receptionist ask, "Can I help you?"
As I walked down the hallway, I heard one little kid ask, "Where's the big man with the
beard?" Turning the corner, I saw 16 kids in the lobby looking for me—well, for the man
with the key to the drink machine.
That was the beginning. Suddenly, 35 children adopted me, coming to my office every
afternoon after school instead of going home. There was nothing for them to go home
to. Day after day, while I worked at my drafting table, I was surrounded by kids on the
floor busily coloring or doing other crafts I had brought…
Thus began the journey that would change my world and that of many kids whose
addicted parents left them to fend for themselves. Often hungry, unkempt, undisciplined,
with no structure in their lives or motivation to attend school or church, these children
would be the next lost generation. I felt compelled to do what I could. Years flew by, and
the kids I mentored became a part of my life.
Terry Lane's journey of self-denial continued. Ten years after he first reached out to the
kids of "The Rock," he sold his share of the cabinetmaking business to his partner and
started Metro Inner City Sunday School. When the kids got older, they started youth
groups and teen programs. It wasn't long before Terry asked the owner of Cleveland
Arms to give him an apartment. In five-years' time, Lane established a community
center called Metro Kids Konnection where the staff feeds over 145 children physically,
academically, and spiritually.
Shaw ends her article with these final thoughts from Terry:
There is so much to do, but I'm excited and grateful for the direction God chose for me.
My wife and I have gone from enjoying a six-figure annual income to subsisting on
$12,000 a year, but God faithfully meets every need. And the rewards are
incomparable…
Nothing can replace the joy of having a little child crawl into my lap with a hug for
"Pastor Terry," or for a young man who has been rescued from a potential life of dealing
drugs to look me in the eye, shake my hand with a firm grip, and say, "Thanks, P.T."
That's my reward for "looking at the children."
Terry Lane (as told to Shirley Shaw), "Look at the Children!" Today's Christian
(September/October 2007)
Group 4
From Olympic Weightlifting to Witnessing
By any measure, Shane Hamman is a big man. For the 2004 summer Olympics in Athens, Greece,
this super-heavy weightlifter weighed a hefty 350 pounds. He boasted a 62-inch chest with biceps
just a couple inches shy of two feet in circumference.
Despite the muscle, "America's Strongest Man" could do a standing back flip, dunk a basketball, and
squat lift a world record 1,008 pounds.
Nobody's kicking sand in Shane's face this summer either, even if he has slimmed to a svelte 300
pounds. Besides, the ultimate source of his incredible strength isn't found in 35-inch thighs and a 22inch neck. It's found in his southern-farm-boy values and a rock solid faith in God.
"I had a good country raising in a Christian home with a huge amount of morals," he says. "There
were times I didn't want to go to church, but my parents dragged me there anyway, like they were
supposed to."
Shane started to bulk up in the teen years by picking cantaloupes and pumpkins in the sweltering
Oklahoma fields for his family's produce stand. He could hoist 60-pound watermelons—one on each
shoulder. "I cracked open a lot of melons and ate them right there in the hot fields."
Nicknamed "The Hamster" for his speed, Shane played high school football. But by his junior year,
he wanted to be a competitive lifter. At 18, he entered his first competition and broke every drug-free
teenage record there was.
Every workday for the next eight years, Shane spent eight hours in the fields followed by two-and-ahalf hours in the gym. At the age of 26, he moved into the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado
Springs. At 28, the dream he had nourished since the fourth grade came true—he made the Olympic
team. Though he has not medaled in two Olympic attempts, he came in seventh in Athens, the best
American super-heavyweight result in years. And he's won nine U.S. championships.
Shane still goes home as often as he can. Back to Shekinah Church, back to the farmhouse where
his mother, Carol, bakes his favorite cherry pie and the weightlifting gym remains just as he left it, in
the adjoining shed.
But as often as 60 times a year, Shane speaks to high school assemblies nationwide for Rachel's
Challenge (RachelsChallenge.com), the ministry that grew out of the death of student Rachel Scott
in the Columbine shooting tragedy. More than 90,000 students a year listen to this Christian titan
steer them away from violence.
"I've had gang members in the inner city, girls and guys in tears, come up and tell me that they
would change their lives and treat others with kindness and respect," Shane says. He's rejected
more lucrative job offers because he loves kids and wants them to know how valuable they are in
God's eyes.
Weightlifting has opened many doors for Shane. He'll be at the 2008 Beijing Olympics—not as a
competitor, but providing color commentary for NBC's coverage of the weightlifting competition. At
34, he's okay with not being a contender. This way, he gets to return to the Olympics "without the
stress."
Clint Kelly, "Big Man, Strong Faith," Today's Christian (January/February 2008)
THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK
Caring Concern
Mark 9:1-50 (Focal Passage: Mark 9:35-37)
Monday – Read Mark 9:1-13
 Consider moments in your life when you have experienced God’s self-revelation on a proverbial
mountainside through the person and work of Jesus:
 When & where did you experience God’s self-revelation?
 What affect did that have on your love for and loyalty toward Him?
 What fruit was born in your life on account of that encounter?
Tuesday – Read Mark 9:14-29
The father entreats Jesus to do something if he able. Jesus responds to the father’s request with a
certain level of indignation and a remark about the sufficiency of faith. The father cries out for Jesus to
assist him in his lack of faith.
 We have all been where this father is before. Consider moments in your life when you just didn’t
know if Jesus could do something. You just weren’t sure if he could __________.
 What was the occasion of your “unbelief”?
 How did you find Jesus sufficient even on that occasion?
 Perhaps that occasion is not something from your past, but is very much in your present. If it is,
recognize that faith is a gift from God & pray the prayer of this father asking Jesus to help your lack of
faith
Wednesday – Read Mark 9:30-37
When Jesus’ followers miss the nature of Jesus’ Messiahship, they also miss the nature of discipleship.
 Missing the nature of Jesus’ Messiahship is not limited to Jesus’ followers in the first century, but
extends to Jesus’ followers in the twenty first century. Derek Webb says in his song T-shirts, “They’ll
know us by the pride we hide behind, like anyone on earth is living right, and isn’t that why Jesus
died, and not to make us think were right”.
 Where have you missed the nature of Jesus’ Messiahship and thereby confused the nature of
discipleship?
 Are you engaged in a prideful pursuit of authority, prestige, power, influence, & clout or seeking to
love, serve, sacrifice, & give as a follower of Jesus who during his first advent was a suffering
servant?
Thursday – Read Mark 9:38-41
The prideful self-exaltation evident in the previous passage naturally leads to premature judgments on the
validity of the ministry of others. John & the disciples want to shut down the ministry of this unnamed
exorcist most likely because he was not following them. However Jesus tells his followers that those who
are not against him are for him and that the kind acts people do in the name of Jesus should not be
quickly discounted.
 We fall victim to this same mode of thinking many times in the church. When have you dismissed the
ministry of another church or para-church organization because:
 You were not familiar with their background?
 They were not a part of your denomination or ecclesial tradition?
 They differed on non-essential doctrines (open hand issues)?
 Repent and recognize that Jesus can work in and through other denominations & traditions…
Friday – Read (Mark 9:42-50)
In summary, these verses warn followers of Jesus about jeopardizing others and endangering oneself.
The punishment for jeopardizing the faith of others is frightening: it would be better to strap him to a rock
and throw him in the ocean. This is a stern warning to us to remember to uphold the faith of our brothers
and sisters at all costs. Jesus then turns his attention to endangering ourselves and does so by
employing metaphoric hyperbole. Jesus says if anything stands between us and the demands of the
gospel (self-denial & sacrifice) we should cut it off or pluck it out because it is better to embrace the
gospel in this life than to reject the gospel which will cost us in the life to come causing us to sacrifice
eternal life.
 In what ways do we need to heed the warning about jeopardizing the faith of others?
 What must you cut off or pluck out in order to heed the demands of the gospel? (call to self-denial &
sacrifice-Mark 8:34-38)
EXEGETICAL – THEOLOGICAL –
PEDAGOGICAL
“Crushing Sacrifice”
Mark 8:34-36
On the way to Jerusalem (8:27; 9:33-34; 10:17, 32, 52)
and toward True Discipleship
Real, Present Sacrifice Precedes and
Leads to Certain, Future Glory in the Coming Kingdom,
(Mark 8:27-10:52).
Geographic Reference
8:27a
Identity Question 8:27b-30
Passion Prediction 8:31
Misunderstanding 8:32-33
Sacrifice Discourse 8:34-37
Warning of Judgment 8:38
Geographic Reference 9:30
Identity Question 9:1-29
Passion Prediction 9:31
Misunderstanding 9:32-34
Sacrifice Discourse 9:35-37
Warning of Judgment 9:3850
Geographic Reference 10:1
Identity Question 10:2-32
Passion Prediction 10:33-34
Misunderstanding 10:35-41
Sacrifice Discourse 10:35-41
(EXEGETICAL: What it meant to Mark’s readers back THEN)
JESUS' INSTRUCTION REGARDING HIS TRUE IDENTITY
[AND THE NATURE OF HIS MISSION] . . .
REVEALED THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENT OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP:
SUFFERING BEFORE GLORY.
I.
The journey of Jesus to Jerusalem, and of the disciples to true
discipleship . . . began in Caesarea Philippi, the far north, (Mark 8:27a).
II. Jesus' question as to His identity . . . evoked the incorrect answers of
those who thought the things of men, that Jesus was merely a prophet, as
well as the correct, but inadequate, answer from Peter, that Jesus was the
Messiah, (27b-30).
A. Jesus' first question as to His identity (“Who do men say that I am?) . . .
sought the recognition of the disciples that men in general were
incorrect in their estimation of who He was, (27b).
B. The disciples' answers . . . reflected the incorrect thinking of men as to
who Jesus was, (28).
C. Jesus' question as to His identity (“But who do you say that I am?”) . . .
sought a foundational confession from the disciples before He went
on to teach them the full meaning of His identity, (29a).
D. Peter's answer, representing the disciples understanding, that Jesus
was the Messiah . . . was correct, but inadequate, (29b).
E. Jesus' warning the disciples not to tell anyone [yet] of His true identity
. . . suggested that the disciples still failed to fully understand who He
was and what he was about, (30).
III. Jesus' teaching, to the disciples, of the full meaning of His identity [“the
Messiah, the Son of man”] . . . revealed the absolute necessity of His
suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection [suffering before glory], (31).
Note: Jesus’ use of the title, “Son of man,” was a specific reference to the prediction
of Daniel 7:13-14. The referent was to the divine representative, the heavenly
agent who would bring the Rule of God to Earth. Jesus had already referred to
Himself as the Son of man in Mark 2:10 and 28, demonstrating His divine authority.
Here in chapter 8, Jesus began to flesh out the demands that would be required of
Him, and His followers, to fulfill the Kingdom mission.
A. Jesus' teaching about true discipleship . . . began with a fuller
revelation of who He was [Son of man], (31a).
B. Jesus' teaching about His mission as “Son of man” . . . revealed the
necessity of His suffering before glory [full realization of the promised
Kingdom], (31b).
IV. Peter's rebuke of Jesus' "defeatist" attitude . . . proved that Peter, and the
disciples he represented, misunderstood Jesus, because they had the
attitude of earthly men rather than the attitude of God in Heaven, (32-33).
A. Peter's response to Jesus' "defeatist" attitude . . . was to rebuke Him,
(32).
B. Jesus' response to Peter's satanic rebuke . . . was to rebuke Peter and
reveal his satanically inspired earthly mindset, (33).
1. Peter’s thinking, like the disciples’ . . . was like earthly men’s
thinking [the glory of the Kingdom without the sacrifice of the cross].
2. Peter’s thinking, and the disciples’ . . . failed to think like God
thinks [the glory of the kingdom only after the sacrifice of the cross].
V. Jesus' instruction regarding the cost of true discipleship . . . revealed the
requirements of denying self interests, embracing God's interests, and an
ongoing commitment to the same, since earthly loss of possessions,
position, or pleasure for the sake of the "Good News" of God's blessing
results in eternal gain, (34-37).
A. Jesus' requirements for true discipleship . . . included the denial of
self-interests, the embracing of God's interests, and an ongoing
commitment to the same, (34).
B. Jesus' explanation for the requirements of denial, embracing, and
commitment . . . was that earthly loss for the sake of the “Good News”
(the glories of the Kingdom) results in eternal gain, (35-37).
VI. Jesus' warning of judgment . . . promised that He would act in shame at
His coming again toward those who had acted in shame toward Him
(Isaiah 1:4) in this life, (38).
Note: Both the immediate context and a consistent biblical theology demand that
Jesus’ warning be taken as a threat of loss of future recognition and reward, not the
loss of salvation or entrance into the Kingdom. If anyone was “embarrassed” to
stand up for Jesus, to make Him known on Earth even in the difficult battles with
resistive powers, then Jesus would not be passing out rewards in recognition of
sacrificial service above and beyond the call of discipleship in His Kingdom glory.
(THEOLOGICAL: What it means to God’s people ALWAYS)
FOLLOWING CHRIST TO FUTURE GLORY . . .
DEMANDS PRESENT SUFFERING.
I. A Christian's journey into sacrifice . . . both develops and demonstrates
true discipleship, (27a).
II. Understandings of Jesus . . . may be correct, but inadequate, (27b-30).
III. Jesus' sacrifice [suffering, rejection, and crucifixion] . . . was required by
God's plan of blessing, (31).
IV. Rejecting the necessity of Christ's suffering . . . reveals satanic thinking,
(32-33).
V. Every sacrificial loss for Christ in time . . . gains reward in eternity, (3437).
VI. Every denial of Christ on Earth . . . results in denial by Christ in heaven,
(38).
I.
(PEDAGOGICAL: What it means for us TODAY)
CHOOSE TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.
Believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah [the Agent of God’s Blessing and
Rule], (Mark 8:27-30).
A. Jesus was God’s Representative who showed us how to live.
B. Jesus became the Savior who died in our place.
C. Jesus is the heavenly King who brings God’s Rule (see Daniel 7:13-14).
II. Accept the reality that God’s plan [to redeem humankind from sin’s
consequences] demands suffering before glory.
A. Jesus sacrificed to secure His and your future glory, (Mark 8:31-33).
B. Choose to suffer for Christ's sake, (Mark 8:34).
1. Take earthly losses for Christ's sake.
(possessions, position, pleasure, etc.)
2. Reject earthly gains that sacrifices obedience.
(cheating, stealing, lying, etc.)
3. Make heavenly investments for Christ’s sake.
(help the poor, support the disenfranchised, share the Gospel, etc.)
IV. Anticipate an eternal reversal of earthly versus heavenly values.
A. Expect to gain heavenly reward if you suffer for Christ
by your choice of God's will, (35).
B. Expect to miss heavenly reward if you deny Christ
by your choice of earthly gain, (36-38).