Deny Yourself

Getting to Know You: 

• Why do you think people are so drawn to social media likes and gaining followers? 
• How does that reflect on our need to follow Jesus? 

Going Deeper: 

• Read Mark 10:28-31.  What answer does Jesus give Peter when Peter leaves everything to follow Jesus?
  • How is leaving everything to follow Jesus and denying myself connected?

  • What does it mean in this context that the first will be last and last first? 

• Read Luke 14:26-35 and discuss the costs Jesus says are associated with following him. 
  • What does Jesus mean when he says to hate your family? 

  • Why must we be willing to renounce everything we have to be a disciple? 

• Read Colossians 3:2-8.  What does it mean to put to death our fleshly desires? 
  • What on this list do you struggle to kill in your life? 

  • How might you kill it?  Read Romans 8:5-14 and discuss several ways to kill the flesh. 

• According to John 15:18-20 what is the reason the world hates those who follow Jesus?

  • How are we to react when that happens? 

Taking it Home: 

• What do you need to do to deny yourself?  What needs to die in your life to take up your cross?  Make a list and choose something to start denying/killing this week.