Following Christ

Learning what it means to follow Jesus. Following Christ - Mark 8:34-9:1 1. Call to follow Christ - v34a 2. Requirements to follow Christ - v34b a. Deny yourself b. Take up your cross c. Follow Christ. 3. Reason to follow Christ - vv35-9:1 Following Christ is the only way to save your soul. - v35 -Why gain the world and lose your soul? - v36 -Nothing is more valuable than our soul. - v37 -Jesus is the final judge of where we spend eternity - v38-9:1 Preparing for the sermon: What does Jesus say is required to follow him? What things hinder a person from following Jesus? Why is it wrong to water down or omit completely the requirements for following Christ? Other passages to consider: Daniel 7:9-14; John 6:60-69; Rom 6:1-6; Gal 2:20; 2 Thess 1:5-10 Digging deeper: How does the call to follow Christ still go out? Who could you call to follow Christ? Are the requirements to follow Christ a one-time decision or ongoing or both? In what areas do you need God's help to deny yourself and come under Christ's authority?