“If Anyone Would Come After Me”

Matthew 16:21-28

Key verse 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

 Read verse 21.  What did Jesus tell his disciples?  Why did Jesus have to suffer many things?  Why did he have to die?  Was death the end?  What can we learn about Jesus’ faith?

 Read verses 22-23.  How did Peter respond to Jesus’ message?  What point did he miss?  What did Jesus say to Peter?  What problem did Peter have?  How can we keep in mind the things of God?  

 Read verse 24.  What must one do before following Jesus?  What does it mean to deny ourselves?  What does it mean to take up our cross?  Why are these needed in order to follow Jesus?  

 Read verses 25-28.  How can we find life in Christ?  How is losing our life in this world related to denying ourselves?  What must we value more than the world in order to deny ourselves?  What did Jesus promise for those who deny themselves?