Oasis Bible study: Mark 8:31-38

Oasis Bible Study – Wed 29 Feb, 2012

Overview of Study

CS Lewis once said that if anyone wanted to practice a comfortable religion, he would not recommend Christianity.

In this passage, Jesus speaks about the imminent reality of His ministry and mission being destroyed by the religious authorities in Jerusalem. This shocks the disciples and Simon Peter tries to convince Jesus that he is wrong. As usual, Jesus uses the moment to teach a deeper message about faith – it is costly to each believer. Christ may comfort us, but Christianity is not a comfortable religion.

Approaching God

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your ways challenge our choices. Each day our faith is confronted by our acts and deeds. Make us more aware of what You require of us as disciples. In Your Name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

31 Jesus then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 

36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

Input from Group

Why did Jesus want the disciples to know what was going to occur in Jerusalem?

What was their response? Why?

Why does Jesus rebuke Peter? What is Christ being tempted to do?

What does Jesus say to the crowd? How do you think they would have reacted? Was this a clever thing to do at this time? Why/why not?

What kind of crosses do we bear as Christians in today’s world? Are we willing to take up these crosses?

How is Jesus rejected in our present community? What can the Church do about this?

Has our society become ashamed of Jesus and/or His followers? What does that tell us about the state of the church and our modern culture?

Is Jesus ashamed of us?

Any other questions or comments?

Service Applications

The burden of being a Christian is that we are often put in situations where our faith is compromised or made irrelevant by cultural demands. Think about recent situations in your life where your faith has been cast aside by yourself or the people around you. Think about forthcoming events in your life, home or work which may affect your faith. Are you ready to bear a cross or looking for an excuse?

For silent prayerful reflection:  What does it mean to be a Christian 24/7/365? When is my faith at its weakest? When is it at its strongest?