Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV
Life Application: I must adopt Jesus’ behavior.
Bible Text:
Matthew 16:24-26
Matthew 16:26
Mark 8:34-36
A follower can be described in several different ways. It is a supporter or admirer of a person (cause or activity). somebody who comes or travels after somebody, a servant (attendant or subordinate) accompanying an important person, or somebody that imitates someone else.
To be a follower of Jesus we must support His teachings, follow His path (follow His example) and imitate Him. We must adopt His behavior. Adopting Jesus’ behavior is a choice that we must make. We must decide in our heart that we will assume His attitude and His way of behaving. Then we should ask the Holy Spirit to help us in walking out our decision each and every day.
Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Each person that chooses to be a follower of Christ must take up their cross, give their life to Jesus, and put aside their goals and ambitions.
Take up your cross.
Everyone has their own cross to bear. Each follower has been called to do something for the kingdom of God. God doesn’t call everyone to do the same thing, so each one must do what God has called them to.
Matthew 16:24 NKJV
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Give your life to Jesus.
The only way to gain true life is to give Jesus your whole life – body, soul, and spirit. We must not seek our own way.
Matthew 16: 25 NKJV
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Put aside your goals and ambitions.
Obtaining worldly possessions must not be your priority in this life. You must make Jesus the first priority of your life, and desire what God wants for your life.
Matthew 16:26 NKJV
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
We cannot take anything into eternity with us. All the worldly treasures that a person may acquire in this world will not help a person when they die.
Mark 8:34-36 NKJV
“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Review
1. What does “take up your cross” mean to you personally?
2. To be a follower of Jesus we must support His teachings, follow His path and ____________________ Him.
3. Believers must __________________ Jesus’ behavior.
4. How have you had to make a choice concerning adopting Jesus’ behavior ?
5. The _______________ _________________ will help us in following Jesus.
6. According to Matthew 16:24-26, what must a person do who desires to follow Christ?
7. What does “deny yourself” mean to you personally?
8. Each person that chooses to be a follower of Christ must take ______ ____________ ____________, give their life to Jesus, and put aside __________ ___________ and ambitions.
9. . Each follower has been called to do ___________________ for the kingdom of God.
10. Does God call everyone to do the same thing?
11. How can a person gain true life?
12. Obtaining worldly possessions must not be your __________________in this life.
13. What does priority mean?
14. What will happen to all the worldly treasures that a person acquires in this world when they die?
15. Do you think there is anything worth losing your soul over?
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