LIVE-IT-OUT GUIDE

PMC BIBLE MARATHON: SESSION 16

Sermon Recap & Discussion

Sermon Date: 28^th October 2018

Text/s: Mark 8:31 – 9:1

Title: To Be A Christian

Speaker: Ps Lai Kai Ming

(The sermon recording and slides can be found on the PMC website and MyPMC App.)

Key Lessons

What does it mean to be a Christian?

· Follow Christ – be willing to suffer worldly loss, personal pain and social embarrassment.

· Give up (lose!) everything for the sake of the Gospel.

· Be unashamed of Christ’s suffering.

Digging Deeper into Scripture

Opening Discussion – “Jesus suffered so that we don’t have to.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

Read Mark 8:31-9:1.

Context – In Mark 8:31, we enter the second half of the gospel. The first half concluded in 8:29 with Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ. In like manner, the second half will conclude with the centurion’s confession that “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (15:39). Both these confessions echo the opening verse of Mark’s gospel where Jesus is declared to be both Christ and Son of God.

So far, in chapters 1 to 8, Jesus’ kingly authority is revealed through His words and deeds. However, it is not shown how Jesus will ultimately deal with our sinful condition or how He will ultimately overthrow Satan. His miracles anticipate a greater, more final victory and deliverance.

Mark 8:31-9:1 introduces the death, resurrection and final rule of Jesus as the main theme in the second half of the gospel.

1) What does Jesus predict in verse 31? In what manner would this have been shocking for the disciples?

2) Why does Jesus rebuke Peter so harshly (v32-33)?

3) In verse 34, what kind of invitation does Jesus extend to the crowd? In what manner would this invitation have been shocking for the crowd?

4) How do the 4 statements in verses 35-38 help Jesus’ hearers to respond to His invitation?

5) What comfort does Mark 9:1 bring to those in the crowd who find it difficult to fully receive Jesus’ invitation?

MAIN IDEA: If possible, as a LG, draft a sentence that captures the main idea for Mark 8:31-9:1.

APPLICATION: How can we live out Mark 8:31-9:1 in the coming week? How can we apply this Main Idea to our lives?