Key Thought: In Mark chapters 8-10, Jesus teaches the disciples about His journey. He gives special instructions on discipleship, who He is, and where He is going. He also confronts us today with the cost and benefit of following Jesus.
August 17, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Mark 8:34-38.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What does Jesus teach here about the cost of following Jesus?
3. Personal Application: Is it ever important not to say some things, even if they are true? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What does it mean that whoever loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life? What does this mean? Doesn’t God want us to be happy?.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Mark 9:1-13.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did Peter, James, and John see one night with Jesus?
3. Personal Application: In what situation have you had to think – “I believe, help my unbelief”? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How can I balance being on the mountaintop of happiness and thoughtfulness, and the down to earth experiences with the realities and challenges of life?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Mark 9:30-41.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is different about Jesus’ second prediction about His resurrection and death here?
3. Personal Application: What is the Biblical idea of greatness and how does it contrast with the worldly idea of greatness? Which one are you striving for? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “What did the disciples argue about, and what instruction did Jesus give them? What focus was Jesus speaking about, and were the disciples focusing on the same thing?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 9:42-50.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What ties the teachings of Jesus together in this passage?
3. Personal Application: How can we learn to take sin so seriously that we’d be better off maimed or dead than to sin? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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