40 Days 2023 - Discussion Questions - Week 5
As we follow Jesus Christ, we begin establishing our life not on the things of this world but upon Jesus Christ alone. This week we will talk about what it means to lose our life for the sake of Jesus and His Gospel and, in that, find the true essence of life.
This week’s memory verse: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Mark 8:35-37 NIV
1. Last week’s memory verse was Romans 5:8; who can recite it?
2. What stood out to you in Pastor James’ message this week?
3. As you read through the 40 Days devotional this week, what encouraged or challenged you?
4. Read Mark 8:34. "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." What is the cost of following Jesus? What does that mean to you?
5. Read Mark 8:35-37. Jesus is saying that you are going to have to lose the life you are trying to save if you want to find and discover the life that is in me. Without me, there is no life at all. Jesus asked two questions in these verses, how would you answer His questions?
6. Jesus is not saying you have to lose your physical life in order to save your physical life. He uses the word Psyche, which means: Soul, Source of life…who you are. What would you say is the difference between your physical life and your “psyche”?
Who or what will you follow to find life?
7. Read Romans 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We were meant to live life and find life in God. Through our rebellion, we earned death. But that is why Jesus came…through Jesus Christ, those who believe have life…eternal life. If eternal life is a gift, why do some people have a hard time accepting it? How can you help them overcome their objections?
8. Read Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Why did Jesus die? What does that personally mean to you?
9. Read John 5:11–12 "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life”. Just stop and think about this profound truth. If we could have everything the world promises to give, that still would not be enough to satisfy our need for life! Why is Jesus the perfect source of life? Why does everything the world has to offer fall short?
Jesus essentially says, “If you are willing to lose your old way of trying to gain significance, worth, and life, I will give you a new life in me. I am inviting you to follow me because in me and through me, you can finally be the person God created you to be.”
It’s not who I am, it’s who I am in Jesus Christ.
- In Christ I am greatly loved (Ephesians 2:4)
- In Christ I am completely accepted (Romans 15:7)
- In Christ I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
- In Christ I am strong and courageous. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
- In Christ I am wise (James 1:5)
- In Christ I am able to DO all things. (Philippians 4:13)
- In Christ I am an overcomer (Revelation 12:11)
- In Christ I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
- In Christ I am healed and whole (Isaiah 53:4-5)
- In Christ I am forgiven and free (Colossians 1:14)
- In Christ I am righteous and blameless (2 Cor. 5:21)
- In Christ I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
- In Christ I am a citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20)
- In Christ I am seated in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
- In Christ I am filled with power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
- In Christ I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
- In Christ I am filled with the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19)