1. 

Think about Jesus' question in verse 18 and the disciples' reply to the question. Who do people of our own generation say Jesus is?  

** Some say Jesus is a good person. Some say he is a prophet. [e.g., Muslims] Some say Jesus is a very smart person. 

2.

Compare Peter's answer to Jesus' question in verse 20. What does "the Christ of God" mean? What indicates that Peter answered correctly? (21)

** Christ = the anointed; "of God" = is the one sent by God. 

Christ is a Greek word for Messiah in Hebrew. Messiah in Hebrew refers to the one the Lord God promised to send to save the fallen men and the world back to God. 

Useful references concerning Jesus being the Messiah - Gen 3:15; 12:7; Numb 24:17; Isa 11:1; Zec 6:12; Mat 2:2,7-10; 2Pe 1:19; Rev 22:16 

** V. 21 (This was only a temporary injunction. After the resurrection of Jesus Peter proclaimed officially in public that Jesus is the Savior. At this point however Jesus warned them not to disclose this "inside" information until Jesus' death and resurrection (and ascension), and thereafter the coming of the Holy Spirit, because until that time this inside information was best to remain "hidden" for the healthy delivery of the baby (the fulfillment of the gospel.) 

3.

Consider what Jesus prophesied about himself in verse 22 especially the word "must". Why "must" all these things happen to him? 

** It must happen in order to fulfill the prophesies written in the Scriptures such as Gen 22, Psalm 22, or Isaiah 53. (Read Romans 15:3-4 as well, especially noting the expression 'according to the Scriptures'). 

4.

Verse 23 says that if anyone would come after Jesus he "must" do three things: 1) deny himself; 2) take up his cross; and 3) follow Jesus. How are these related to one another? 

** 1) They are progressive in that without the first the second is not possible, without the first and the second, the third becomes meaningless/fruitless. 

2) All three are to come as a package all at the same time in the same person.

5. 

Compare Jesus' words in verse 23 with what he says in verses 24-25. How do these verses supplement each other in their meanings? 

** 1) The word "for" in v. 24 indicates that Jesus' words in verses 24-25 offer the reason for the requirements in v. 23.

2) Vs. 24-25 provide v. 23 with the meanings thereof. For example, "deny oneself" means "deny the desire (or natural instinct, if you will) to save yourself"; "take up his cross" means "lose (or use to the point of dying) yourself for Jesus and his gospel"; "follow Jesus" means "identify yourself with Jesus who gives you a new self".  

6. 

It appears that no one should be ashamed of Jesus and his words. Yet why would anyone still be ashamed of Jesus and his words?  What will those who are ashamed of Jesus’ words end up forfeiting? 

** It is because of peer pressure, for many seek to become rich and famous in this world (i.e., try to gain the whole world). 

** They will fail to participate in the "glory" to be revealed fully at the time of Jesus coming again. 

7.

Think about the prophecy in verse 27. What does it mean to "see the kingdom of God"? How is “seeing God's kingdom” related to Jesus' teachings in verses 22-26?

** Here "see" denotes "experience". Kingdom of God refers to the place where God rules. 

** It describes the purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection. 

The end