March 21st

Opening Question: Have you heard of Easter? If so, what does it mean to you?

Read Matthew 16:21-26 as a group and by yourselves:

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples what would happen to him. He told them he must go to Jerusalem. There he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again. 22 Peter took Jesus to one side and began to scold him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This will never happen to you!" 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are standing in my way. You do not have in mind the things of God. Instead, you are thinking about human things." 24 Then Jesus spoke to his disciples. He said, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross and follow me. 25 If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me, he will find it.26 "What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses his soul? Or what can anyone trade for his soul?

Discuss the following questions:

1. Tell the story in your own words.
2. Why did Jesus have to be killed?
3. Why did Jesus call Peter “Satan!”?
4. What does Jesus mean in verses 24 and 25?
5. Is it easy or hard to be a follower of Jesus? Explain.
6. How valuable is your soul? And the soul of others? Explain.