Small Groups – Week of October 21
Preparation (do this prior to attending your small group)
Contemplate: What is the cross? What does it symbolize?
Read: Mark 8:34-38 (three or four times, slowly)
Reflect: Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” What do you suppose he means by this? Do you agree with him?
Pray: Pray that Christ would be the unqualified Lord of your life and of TAC. Pray that God would reveal to you any idols you might have so that you can turn from them.
Small Group Discussion Questions
1. If you were to get a tattoo what would it be of?
2. What are some present-day symbols and what do they represent? What does the cross mean in popular culture today? What does the cross mean to you?
3. Read Mark 8:31-38. A. W. Tozer says the following about the cross: “The cross of old Roman times knew no compromise ; it never made concessions. It won all its arguments by killing its opponent and silencing him for good. . . . The cross effects its ends by destroying one established pattern, the victim’s, and creating another pattern, its own. Thus it always has its way. It wins by defeating its opponent and imposing its will upon him. It always dominates. It never compromises, never dickers [bargains] nor confers, never surrenders a point for the sake of peace. It cares not for peace; it cares only to end its opposition as fast as possible. ” What do you think Christ means when He says, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”?
4. Pastor Bill said that to deny ourselves means that we need to change the very control-centre of our lives. Practically speaking, what does this mean?
5. What is one “idol” you have struggled with in your Christian walk? How have you found victory over this idol?
6. Read Philippians 2:1-11. Christ our Lord is the ultimate example of self-humbling. How does knowing that Christ humbled Himself help you in your self-denial?
7. Why might a Christian living in Toronto in 2012 be ashamed of Jesus Christ?
8. If we find ourselves ashamed of Jesus, what might this say about our relationship with Him? How can we overcome any shame we feel about Him?
9. In pairs, share one thing in your life that is still competing with Christ for pre-eminence. Pray for one another, that God would give you the strength to deny yourself.
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