Bible ReadingLuke 9:18-2518 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
[34:20]19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”
[34:42]20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
[35:29]21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
[42:58]23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
[50:50]24 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
[50:57]25 “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
[58:01]Matthew 11:25-3025 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
[37:28]26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”
[37:37]27 “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
[01:02:32]29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
[01:02:39]30 “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
[01:02:49]Matthew 16:13-1713 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
[34:20]14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
[34:42]15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
[35:29]16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
[35:41]17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
[38:41]Observation questions- What answers do the crowds give about Jesus, and how are those answers different from Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ of God”? [34:42]
- What does Jesus say must happen to the Son of Man after Peter identifies him as the Christ? Why would those words have sounded surprising to people expecting a victorious Messiah? [42:10]
- In Luke 9:23-25, what words does Jesus repeat about life, losing, saving, and following? What contrast does he set up? [50:50]
- According to Matthew 11:25-30, who receives revelation from the Father, and what does Jesus promise to those who come to him weary and burdened? [01:02:32]
Interpretation questions- Peter’s confession is described as something the Father reveals rather than something Peter earns. How does this shape the way a person approaches faith when they feel inadequate, confused, or spiritually behind? [40:23]
- Jesus does not merely offer a different strategy for gaining political power; he goes after sin, Satan, and death. How does this bigger victory change what a person should expect Jesus to heal or free in their own life? [45:32]
- Jesus connects following him with losing one’s life, while Matthew 11 connects coming to him with rest. How can surrender to Jesus be both costly and life-giving rather than simply religious pressure? [01:02:54]
- Jesus warns that someone can gain the whole world and still forfeit the self. What kinds of success, approval, or control can look like “life” on the outside while slowly draining a person on the inside? [54:43]
Application questions- What voices currently shape the way you think about who Jesus is—family, social media, past church experiences, fears, or hopes? Which of those voices may need to be challenged by Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” [01:04:30]
- Where do you most feel pressure to optimize your life: work, parenting, appearance, friendships, money, health, church involvement, or something else? What would it look like to receive from God rather than grasp for control in that area? [41:03]
- “Duck syndrome” means appearing calm and effortless while striving frantically underneath. Where are you tempted to hide exhaustion or act as though you have everything together? What might honest openness with God and trusted people look like? [54:43]
- Is there a place where you have settled for behavior maintenance—simply trying not to fail—rather than trusting Jesus for deeper healing of fear, shame, self-hatred, or hurt? What is one small, honest step toward that deeper healing? [49:30]
- What might “taking up your cross daily” look like in one ordinary decision this week? Is there a worldly assumption about success, comfort, image, or self-protection that Jesus may be inviting you to say no to? [01:00:37]
- Jesus says, “Come to me,” and promises rest for weary souls. What burden are you carrying as though it depends entirely on your effort? How could you bring that burden to Jesus this week in prayer, rest, confession, or asking someone for help? [01:02:32]
- Open hands can be a simple posture of receiving from God. What are you trying to hold tightly right now, and what would it mean to place it openly before God and trust him to give what you need? [01:17:26]
