1. Welcome (5 mins)
Opening Question:
· What’s something you’ve committed to that required more sacrifice than you expected? i.e. having children, your career, your study, getting fit, eating well etc.
Let's explore Jesus’ invitation to discipleship - not just in what we believe, but in living a re-ordered life.
2. Read the Passage & Context (5 mins)
Read: Matthew 16:24–25
Here’s the context of what was happening before and after these words were spoken by Jesus:
· Peter declares Jesus as Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20)
· Jesus predicts His death (Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17: 22-23, Matthew 20:17-19)
· Peter resists → Jesus corrects him (Matthew 16:22-23)
Then Jesus invites all disciples into the same pattern
Ask:
· What stands out to you immediately from this passage?
· What feels challenging or confronting?
3. The Invitation of Jesus (5 mins)
Discipleship is an invitation, not coercion.
Discussion Questions:
· Do you personally experience following Jesus more as an invitation or an obligation?
· Why do you think Jesus invites rather than forces?
In Jesus’ time, people applied to follow rabbis with only an elite few being successful, but Jesus flips that narrative and invites everyone to come as they are.
· What might shift in your faith if you truly saw it as an invitation into life, not duty? Pause and reflect before answering.
4. Deny Yourself - Surrender the Throne (8 mins)
When we talk about denying yourself according to Jesus invitation, He is not talking about self-hatred, but surrender of control.
It’s moving from:
My will → God’s will. My agenda → God’s purpose
Discussion Questions:
· Where do you find it hardest to surrender control?
· What does ‘self-rule’ look like in everyday life?
· How do you know when Jesus is not Lord in an area?
Going Deeper (optional):
· Why do you think we resist surrender, even when we trust God?
Personal Reflection (30–60 sec quiet):
Reflect on: Holy Spirit, where am I still sitting on the throne?
5. Take Up Your Cross – Embrace the Cost (8 mins)
Taking up the cross = costly obedience, not random hardship.
Taking up His cross is NOT inconvenience or general struggle. It IS obedience that costs us something.
Discussion Questions:
· What’s the difference between hardship in life and ‘carrying your cross’?
· Where have you seen someone live this out in a powerful way?
· What might ‘taking up your cross daily’ look like in your current season – encourage personal examples?
Practical Examples:
· Forgiving someone
· Choosing integrity
· Serving without recognition
The cross always involves visible, costly allegiance to Jesus
6. Follow Me – The Journey of Apprenticeship (5 mins)
Discipleship = walking with a person, not just believing ideas.
Discussion Questions:
· What does it actually look like to follow Jesus in daily life?
· How is following different from just believing?
Something to consider: If someone observed your life for a week, what would they say you are following?
7. The Paradox of the Kingdom (4 mins)
Key Scripture Insight:
Lose your life → Find it
Discussion Questions:
· Why do you think Jesus’ way feels so opposite to culture?
· Have you ever experienced this paradox - giving something up and actually gaining more?
8. Personal Application & Prayer (5 mins)
Ask each person to reflect on:
· Where is Jesus asking me to deny myself?
· What does it look like for me to take up my cross right now?
· What is one step I can take this week to follow Him more closely?
Optional Sharing:
Invite 1–2 people to share briefly.
Close in prayer:
Pray for surrender
Pray for courage
Pray for clarity in following Jesus