House Group Questions – Mark 8:31-38 - Week of 22nd November 2009

 

1.     Is it important that the Son of Man not only suffered, but was also rejected? (v.31) Can you think of examples of people who suffer without rejection?

 

2.     How was Jesus’ willingness to suffer & be rejected honoured by God?

 

3.     Why do you think Peter was so upset or annoyed?

 

4.     In what ways might people react like Peter when they experience suffering & rejection for the Gospel?

 

5.     Why do you think Jesus compared Peter to Satan? (see Mk 1:12) Why were his words so hard?

 

6.     Have you experienced suffering & rejection for the Gospel? How have you dealt with it?

 

7.     What does it mean to have “the things of men” in mind? The “things of God”? (v.33)

 

8.     In practise, what does it mean to take up your cross? (v.34) Will heaven be peopled by masochists?

 

9.     What connection is there between the cross and obedience?

 

10.  What behaviour shows that we are ashamed of Jesus?

 

11.  What cross is Jesus asking you to carry? (Possibly not a question for open discussion!)