Discussion
- Read Mark 8:31 & 9:31. What did Jesus teach in these scriptures?
- How does Jesus’s third announcement of the same news differ from the first two times Jesus talked about dying with his disciples?
- Why would Jesus tell the disciples of what was to come?
- James and John requested what of Jesus and what resulted from this request?
- What words would you use to describe James & John’s request and why?
- What did the terms “cup” and “baptism” refer to in vs 38-38-39? (Hint: read Acts 12:1-2)
- What is true greatness as Jesus would define it based on his response in verses 42-45?
Application
In thinking about my prayer life, about what percentage of my requests of God are self-serving? When and what kind of self-serving request has God said yes to in your life? What resulted?
2. What requests has God said no to, and what have you learned through that no?
3. What are some examples of prayer requests that would truly be worth the suffering and death Jesus went through?
4. Where has God asked me to be under the authority of another and what pattern of behavior is revealed in my interactions with those authorities? Where might I want to usurp authority to serve my own purposes?
5. Reflect on and record the names of different bible characters that mimicked Jesus’s pattern of being a servant before God lifted them to a position of ruler. What can be learned from their stories that will combat an earthly desire for power and prominence?
Resource Info
