Tough Sayings: Pick Up Your Cross

Text: Mark 8:34-38

-Verse 34 lays out some criterion for following Jesus. Read the text and identify what these criterion are. (Self-denial and picking up your cross)

-In what way(s) does following Jesus require self-denial? (He calls us to do things that we think we don't want to do! Evangelism, giving, changing our lifestyles, ect...) 

-Based on your answers to the question above, are you denying yourself to follow Jesus?

-Watch the video above before tackling this question. What is it about YOU that may be standing in way your wholehearted pursuit of Jesus?

-Watch the video above before tackling this question. If Jesus isn't offering to fix all of your circumstantial problems and perhaps even adds to them, what is He offering and why is it great enough that I should endure the inconvenience of submitting my life to Him?

The Staples:

What did this text teach you about God?

What did this text teach you about yourself?

What are you going to do about it?