Commitment: All or Nothing

Following Jesus Requires

1. You must DENY yourself. (Mk 8:34)



2. You must APPRAISE your soul. (Mk 8:35-37)



3. You must consider the COST of NOT following Jesus. (Mk 8:38)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:34-38

1. What would you say to someone who says, "I would like to come to church, but I don't want to give up my party lifestyle." What would Jesus say in light of Mark 8:34-38?
    
2. Why would someone be ashamed of Jesus and His words (Mark 8:38)? What does that mean? Do you ever feel ashamed to speak up for Jesus?

Breakout Questions:
Is there any area in which I am not "dead to self"? Any area I have resisted giving up that I know I need to? Pray for one another!

Confession: The Heart of the Matter

Three Questions About Jesus You Have to Get Right

1. Do I understand the MAN ? (Mk 8:27-30)



2. Do I understand the PLAN ? (Mk 8:31-33)



3. Have I made him PERSONAL ? (Mk 8:29)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:22-33

1. In Mk 8:29, Jesus made the issue about Him personal ("Who do you say that I am?"). How would you explain to someone what it means to make Jesus "personal"?
    
2. Why did Jesus not want His disciples telling people He is the Christ?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Unbelief: Missing the Point

1. Those committed to UNBELIEF can't commit to JESUS . (Mk 8:11-15)




2. Those committed to JESUS sometimes ACT like those committed to UNBELIEF . (Mk 8:16-21)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 8:1-21

1. Jesus gave a warning in Mark 8:15: "Watch out; beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod". Restate this warning in your own words. What, exactly and specifically, are we to "watch out" for?
    
2. Why didn't Jesus just show the Pharisees a sign? Why was Jesus grieved that they wanted one? Compare this account to Matthew's version in Matthew 16:1-4.

Breakout Questions:
Are there any areas of hypocrisy or sensuality in your life? Pray against that leaven!

Compassion: Making the Difference

The Compassion of Jesus:

1. INVITES Me. (Mk 7:24-26)



2. HUMBLES Me. (Mk 7:27-30)



3. KNOWS Me. (Mk 7:31-35)



4. MOVES Me. (Mk 7:36-37)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 7:24-37

1. Romans 2:4 tells us it is God's kindness that is meant to lead us to repentance? How does God's kindness (compassion) lead us to repentance? What does that look like?
    
2. Share how the compassion of Jesus has impacted you.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another. Each of you evaluate yourself: have I been genuinely fired up enough about the compassion of Jesus to naturally share Him with others? If not, how are you going to fan that flame?

Defiled: From Within, Not Without

SIN is from WITHIN .

• The Illustration (Mk 7:14-16)



• The Explanation (Mk 7:17-19)



• The Solution (Mk 7:20-23)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 7:14-23

1. What was the point of Jesus' teaching? How would you restate it in your own words?
    
2. What are ways people think they are "defiled from the outside" today? i.e. What are some things you have blamed YOUR sin on?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!