Author: davidrudd

Mark 10:17-27

¹⁷And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ​‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” ²¹ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²² Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

10 POINTS TO PONDER

Although the wealthy man’s initial question was honest and appropriate, the rest of his interaction with Jesus reveals that he may have been simply seeking affirmation for his own self-righteousness.

“Why do you call me good?” was Jesus’ way of challenging the man’s opinion of who Jesus was. He was (is) more than a good teacher, He is God. If He was only a good teacher, his opinion was important but not authoritative. If He was God, his opinion was the only true answer.

Jesus’ answer to the man was a difficult pill to swallow. He was teaching that no one can receive eternal life if they are relying on their own abilities or accomplishments. Total reliance on God is required.

Even though the man ultimately rejected Him, Jesus still loved Him. Jesus’ love is not dependent who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve done.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

The prosperity gospel teaches that if you do the right things, God will bless you with material wealth and physical health. Jesus’ teaching here flies in the face of that false gospel. Worldly success is not an indication of spiritual growth.

It is impossible for the rich to save themselves. It is impossible for anyone to save themselves. Everyone is a sinner and everyone has earned eternal death.

No matter how tightly you hold on, nothing you accumulate or accomplish in this life will help you in eternal life. Only Jesus can do that.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

If all things are possible with God, that means it is possible that anyone can get saved. Because of Jesus, no one is beyond salvation.

The first implication of this truth is that we can continue to pray with hope and expectation for our friends and family members who haven’t yet come to God.

The second implication of this truth is that we should never consider too far from God to be saved, and therefore we should never but barriers in the way of those who might come to God.

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OBEDIENCE > WEALTH

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. (Psalm 119:14 NIV)

At first glance, this verse seems fairly normal for Psalm 119. Much of this chapter is dedicated to extolling the virtues of God’s Word, and this verse is no exception.

Most of us would not quibble with the sentiment of this verse: God’s Word is valuable.  Don’t we all believe that?

But do you really value obedience to God’s Word as much as you value wealth? Do you rejoice in opportunities to follow God’s Word the same way you would rejoice in great riches?

How would you respond if you won the lottery? How did you respond the last time you had an opportunity to obey Scripture? Were the two responses comparable?

Do you rejoice when you get the opportunity to obey passages like James 1:2-4?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV) 

Why would anyone choose trials and suffering over wealth? If I am honest with myself, I know that I would rather be rich than in pain. Is that okay? How am I to understand Psalm 119:14?

Quite simply, I think it should look like this: Our response to all circumstances should be the same. We should always rejoice, because we are confident that whether we are becoming rich or whether we are heading into a trial, God is in control.

The situation that is happening to us is far less important than who we are becoming through the situation. Are we becoming anxious, embittered, or apathetic? Or are we learning to rejoice?

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about wealth:

• Proverbs 10:22
• Ecclesiastes 5:10
• Proverbs 11:4
• Jeremiah 9:23-24
• Matthew 6:24
• Proverbs 23:4-5
• 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

When you think about someone in your life who feels “far from God,” what makes them seem unlikely to ever follow Christ?

What accomplishments, possessions, or strengths in your own life are you most tempted to rely on for security or identity?

In verses 17–20, what stands out about the rich man’s character and behavior? What does this tell us about how close someone can appear to the kingdom and still lack something?

In verse 21, Mark says, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” Why is that detail important before Jesus confronts him?

In verses 23–27, what is the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ teaching about wealth? What does Jesus ultimately say is the only hope for salvation?

Jesus says, “You lack one thing.” If Jesus lovingly said that to you, what might He be pointing to?

Why do you think wealth (or success, education, morality, influence) can make it harder for someone to come to Christ?

Jesus says, “With man it is impossible, but not with God.” What does this teach us about how salvation actually happens?

Who is one person you have quietly labeled as “probably unreachable” or “unlikely to change”? What would it look like to start praying for them with renewed hope?

How can you actively live this week in a way that shows you believe God can save anyone — including the wealthy, the skeptical, the successful, or the resistant?

MARK 1:16-20

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

10 POINTS TO PONDER

Jesus didn’t preach at them, He didn’t lay out a list of rules, He didn’t demand they clean themselves up. He simply invited them to follow.

Whomever or whatever we follow will determine our life’s direction. Following Jesus means allowing Him to dictate the direction of my life. I do this by staying close to Him and by imitating Him.

We stay close to Jesus by consistently being in His Word and in prayer.

We imitate Jesus by paying attention to what we say, what we do, how we think, and how we respond.

Jesus’ invitation is two-fold. First, it is an invitation to a new way of living. Second, it is an invitation to a new mission in life (fishing for men).

Fishing is a “bringing in” activity, not a “pushing away” activity. Therefore, fishing for men means intentionally seeking to bring people into a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus is able to use what we already have in order to bring more people to Himself through us.

Peter, Andrew, James, and John had no idea where following Jesus would lead, but they went anyway. We have no idea where following Jesus will take us, but we know it will ultimately be good.

Peter and Andrew left their nets. James and John left their work and their father. Following Jesus means letting go of one thing so that we can hold tightly to a better thing.

…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

If you follow Jesus with your whole heart you will often find yourself in situations where you can point other people to Him.

FOLLOWING JESUS

Following Jesus is simple to understand, but not always easy to live. At its core, following Jesus means allowing Him to set the direction for our lives. We don’t just ask Him to bless our plans — we trust Him enough to lead us into His. That requires humility. It means admitting that He sees more clearly than we do and knows what we truly need.

Following Jesus also means change. Over time, we begin to look more and more like Him. Our attitudes shift. Our priorities mature. We learn to love what He loves and let go of what pulls us away from Him. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It happens slowly, through daily choices to trust, obey, and stay close to Him. The goal of following Jesus isn’t simply believing the right things; it’s becoming the kind of person shaped by His character.

Sometimes following Jesus leads us into uncertainty. We may not always know where the road is going or why He is leading us a certain way. But we can be confident of this: Jesus never leads aimlessly. He always takes us where we need to be — closer to God, stronger in faith, and more prepared for the life He has called us to live.

THE THREE “NOTS”

You can invite a person to join you for dinner, do a project for you, allow you to pray with or for them, to church, or into a relationship with Christ. The best time to invite someone is when you hear one of the “NOT” statements:

1. I am NOT from around here.
2. Things are NOT going well.
3. I do NOT know what to do.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about following Jesus:

• Luke 9:23
• John 10:27
• Luke 14:33
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• 1 John 2:6
• Matthew 28:19-20
• Acts 1:8

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

Read Mark 1:16-20. Summarize these verses in one sentence. What are the five most important words in these verses?

Why do so many Christians find it intimidating to be a fisher of men?

What gifts has God given you that you could use to help others find their way to Him?

Following Jesus is a matter of proximity, direction, and imitation. What do you do to stay close to Him?

What do you think it means to let Jesus set the direction for your life? How would you describe the direction He wants you to go?

Do you think it was easy or difficult for Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their nets, families, and boats behind? Why?

What have you had to give up in the past in order to follow Jesus more closely?

Is it possible to fully follow Jesus and not be a fisher of men? Why or why not?

To whom will you offer a spiritual invitation this week?

MARK 10:13-16

¹³ And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

10 POINTS TO PONDER

Mark 10:14 is the only verse in the Bible that records Jesus being “indignant.” ἀγανακτέω [aganakteō] is the Greek word for indignant, and it represents a level of displeasure that might be described as “very, very, very angry.”

The parents in this story were desperate for their children to meet Jesus. Who is the person in your life that you want to introduce to Jesus? Are you praying for them now? Do you have a plan to invite them to Easter Sunday?

Jesus was angry with His friends, even though He loved them. This reminds us that it is not always bad to have a friend who gets upset with us. Sometimes, our friends’ anger leads to our growth.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:6)

Jesus’ anger and Jesus’ blessings were not directed at people because of WHO they were (identity), but rather because of WHAT they were doing (activity).

It is possible that the disciples hindered the children because children were not considered important. The disciples were trying to make sure the important people in their world had full access to Jesus. The truth is that it is not our job to decide who can and cannot have access to Jesus.

“Letting” the children come means choosing NOT to try to control them. When we try to control other people, we almost always drive them away from ourselves and away from God.

“Do not hinder them” means don’t create rules that make it harder for people to get to Jesus. Legalism gets in the way of many people’s faith.

Sometimes we hinder people by creating distractions that keep them from simply coming to Jesus. The Gospel is simple. We shouldn’t over-complicate it.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15)

Child-like faith is different than childish faith. We are called to grow to maturity in our relationship with God, but we should never lose our sense of wonder and trust in Him.

Children usually know their limits. They are aware of what they can and cannot do, and as a result, they know that they need help. Child-like faith recognizes that we are not capable of earning righteousness on our own and that we are in desperate need of saving, which only Jesus can provide.

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DON’T PLAY FAVORITES

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”
— James 2:1

Have you ever noticed that some people are easier targets for grace than others?

We don’t like to admit it, but it’s true. We would rather show grace to certain people—and we would rather withhold it from others. Sometimes it’s because of who they are. Sometimes it’s what they’ve done. Sometimes it’s where they’re from… or even what they smell like.

If I’m honest, I often feel the pull to extend grace unevenly—to give more to one person and less to another.

But James is clear. We are commanded not to show partiality.
Not occasionally. Not situationally. Not when it’s convenient.

We cannot claim obedience to Scripture while treating some people more graciously than others.

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Put On Your “Jesus Goggles”

We need to look at people through what I like to call “Jesus Goggles.”

We must learn to see people the way Jesus sees them—not the way they immediately appear to us.

Jesus didn’t categorize people the way we do:

• Rich or poor
• Attractive or unattractive
• Fun or boring
• Loud or quiet
• Outgoing or withdrawn

(You get the point.)

Jesus saw something deeper.

He saw people who needed grace.

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What Changes When You See Like Jesus

When you put on Jesus Goggles, everything shifts:

• You no longer see people who have offended you—you see people who need to be offered grace.
• You no longer see people who are irritating—you see people who need to be shown grace.
• You no longer see people who drain your energy and resources—you see people who are desperate for grace.

Grace stops being selective.
It becomes reflective—reflecting the heart of Christ.

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Today’s Challenge

Every time you interact with someone today, pause and ask:

How would Jesus see this person?

Then respond accordingly.

Because believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

And when we see people through His eyes, grace becomes our default setting.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about being welcoming and inviting:

• Matthew 18:5
• Acts 10:34-35
• Romans 15:7
• 1 Corinthians 9:22
• James 2:8-9
• Ephesians 2:13-14
• Matthew 25:40

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

When have you felt unwelcome, dismissed, or subtly pushed away in a spiritual setting? How did that affect your willingness to engage? What emotions surface when you think about that experience?)

Think of someone in your life who seems far from Jesus right now. What assumptions do you tend to make about them? Are those assumptions hopeful… or limiting?

Read Mark 10:13–16 slowly. What exactly were the disciples doing that caused Jesus to rebuke them? What does “hinder” mean in this context? Is it passive (slowing down) or active (blocking access)?

Verse 14 says Jesus was indignant. This is the only time in the Gospels that word is used to describe Him. Why do you think this particular situation made Jesus angry? What does that tell you about what matters most to Him?

Jesus says the kingdom must be “received like a child.” From the passage and surrounding context, what qualities of a child might He be highlighting? Why do those qualities matter for entering the kingdom?

In what subtle ways might someone today “hinder” another person’s faith journey? Consider:

• Attitudes
• Tone
• Control
• Legalism
• Social favoritism
• Unrealistic expectation

Where have you seen this exhibited? How are you tempted in this way?

When do you feel tempted to control someone else’s spiritual journey? Trying to manage outcomes? Why is control so appealing to us?

Jesus was angry at barriers, not brokenness. Do you ever get more frustrated at someone’s immaturity than you do at barriers to grace? What does your anger reveal about your priorities?

If you removed the word “disciples” and inserted your name into this story, in what part of your life might Jesus say to you: “Hands off. Let them come.” Who specifically might you be unintentionally discouraging, filtering, or limiting?

What is one action step you need to take this week to stop hindering and start helping?
Examples might include:

• Initiating a welcoming conversation
• Apologizing for a harsh attitude
• Releasing control over someone’s timeline
• Speaking encouragement instead of critique
• Creating space instead of managing behavior

Write down your step. Tell someone in this group. Pray about it before you leave.

MARK 9:43-48

And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. ⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. ⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

10 POINTS TO PONDER

Sin is anything contrary to the nature of God. It may be actions, attitudes, thoughts, or more. If it falls short of God’s character, it’s harmful for creation and it’s bad for us.

Jesus believed that hell was a real place, and He wanted as few people to end up there as possible.

Sin is not to be minimized (“it’s just a small thing”), excused (“I couldn’t help myself”), or rationalized (“everybody is doing it”). It is to be avoided, detested, and hated

In verse 48, Jesus quoted the final verse of Isaiah. This was his way of tying his teaching to the same themes as Isaiah. In doing so, He made it clear that He was talking about the end times and what happens at the final judgment.

You need to know yourself. If the things you do, the places you go, or what you watch lead you closer to sin… Jesus says cut them out of your life.

If you don’t destroy the sin in your life, then the sin in your life will destroy you.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Jesus wants what is better for you. It’s better to lose something now and enter life than to keep everything now and lose everything later.

To follow Jesus closely, you must regularly ask yourself, “What do I need to get rid of, and what do I need to hold tightly?”

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. (Mark 8:35)

Faith in Jesus is forward-focused. The sin of your past doesn’t need to rule your future.

When Christians look at their past, they should never see guilt or shame. They should only see Jesus cross.

CUT IT OUT!

Sin rarely leaves on its own. It lingers. It spreads. It promises comfort but quietly steals life. That’s why Jesus speaks so strongly in Mark 9. He loves us too much to let sin slowly destroy what He created and what He redeemed.

The good news is this: you are not powerless. In Christ, you are not stuck. You can make sin difficult. You can weaken its grip. You can choose what is “better.”

Start by removing access. If something consistently leads you toward temptation, create distance. Delete it. Block it. Avoid it. Distance is not weakness—it’s wisdom.

Next, establish guardrails. Decide in advance what you will and won’t do. Guardrails keep you from drifting where you never meant to go.

Finally, invite accountability. Isolation feeds sin. Honest community starves it. Bring someone trustworthy into the fight.

You don’t cut things out to earn God’s love. You cut things out because you already have it. So ask yourself: What is one thing you need to remove today? Then take one step. Start now.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about decisively dealing with sin:

• 2 Timothy 2:22
• Colossians 3:5-6
• 1 Peter 2:11
• 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
• James 4:7
• Hebrews 12:1
• 2 Corinthians 7:1

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

1. When you hear Jesus say it is “better” to lose something now in order to enter life, what comes to mind that feels hard to surrender?
2. In this season, are you more focused on avoiding sin or actively pursuing Christ? What does your daily routine reveal?
3. What does the repeated word “better” (vv. 43, 45, 47) teach us about choice and consequences?
4. Jesus names the hand, foot, and eye. What areas of life do those represent (actions, direction, desires)? Which of these is the greatest struggle for you? Why?
5. What contrast does Jesus create between “entering life” and “being thrown into hell”? How does that shape how we view temporary sacrifices and eternal consequences?
6. Why do you think Jesus uses such radical language? What does that reveal about His desire for your holiness and joy?
7. What patterns in your life make sin easier? What patterns make holiness easier?
8. How does actively building your faith (prayer, Scripture, worship, community) strengthen you to fight temptation rather than just react to it?
9. What is one intentional step you can take this week to remove access to temptation, and replace it with a Christ-centered habit?
10. Who can you invite into your growth so that your pursuit of Christlikeness is not isolated but strengthened by accountability?

MARK 9:33-35

³³ And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” ³⁴ But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. ³⁵ And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

10 POINTS TO PONDER

Just before this conversation, Jesus had predicted His future suffering. He wanted his disciples to realize that the path to greatness ran through the cross, but they weren’t getting it.

We are often quick to dismiss the desire for greatness as bad, but Jesus doesn’t actually say that here. In fact, not only does HE NOT condemn the desire, He actually provides a mechanism by which the desire can be fulfilled. It’s as if He’s saying, “There is a form of greatness or firstness which you should pursue, and here’s how it works.”

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

I must choose to be last, because pushing for first comes naturally. In this statement, Jesus forces us to wrestle with how our desires and our choices are sometimes in alignment and sometimes at odds with one another.

Being “last” is all about relationships. Particularly, my relationship with others. If I want to be FIRST in my relationship with God, I must be LAST in my relationship with others.

Serving others is SANCTIFYING, not REDEEMING. God uses it to shape and form me, but it doesn’t save me.

A cross-shaped perspective means I live to respond to God’s grace by giving grace to others.

Pursuing greatness is not excluded here, but the process is counterintuitive and counter-cultural. I must learn to think of myself last. Seeing myself as a SERVANT will empower me to SERVE others.

Jesus said we must be the servants of all. We don’t get to pick and choose who we serve. God places us where He wants us, and our job is to serve everyone who is there.

Being last is the antithesis of SELFISH ambition. There is a kind of ambition that is good if it is ambition for the kingdom and ambition that doesn’t run others over. That would be ambition rightly directed and rightly expressed.

Being last means working hard for the success and primacy of others.

Be Great By Being Last

We all want to be great. We may not say it out loud, but it’s there. We want our lives to matter. We want to make an impact. The good news is that Jesus doesn’t shame that desire. He redirects it. According to Jesus, greatness doesn’t come from climbing higher—it comes from choosing lower.

Being “last” doesn’t mean being passive or invisible. It means trusting God enough to stop forcing outcomes. It starts with patience. When good things happen to others, choose celebration over bitterness. Rejoicing with others is one of the clearest signs that our hearts are free.

Next, resist the urge to fight, maneuver, or manipulate to get what you think you deserve. That kind of striving may work in the world, but it slowly hardens the soul. God doesn’t need our scheming to accomplish His purposes.

Third, pay attention to how God has uniquely gifted you. Those gifts aren’t just for your success; they are meant to meet real needs around you. When your abilities intersect with someone else’s need, pay attention—that’s often an invitation from God.

Finally, be ambitious—but aim your ambition in the right direction. Be ambitious to help others flourish. In God’s kingdom, the way up is down. And when we choose last place for the sake of others, we often discover that we’re right where God wanted us all along.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about how our vertical relationship (with God) needs to be connected to our horizontal relationships (with others):

• Mark 12:29-31
• Matthew 5:23-24
• James 2:14-17
• Micah 6:8
• John 13:34-35
• Amos 5:21-24
• 1 John 4:20-21

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

Where do you most feel the pull to be “first” right now — at work, at home, at church, or in relationships? What does that look like practically?

When you see good things happen to others before they happen to you, what emotions tend to surface first — joy, frustration, comparison, or something else?

In Gospel of Mark 9:35, Jesus connects being “first” with becoming “last” and a servant. How does Jesus redefine greatness compared to how our culture defines it?

Why do you think Jesus addresses desire (“if anyone wants to be first”) rather than behavior first? What does that reveal about discipleship?

One principle that leaks out from this passage is that our relationship with God cannot be separate from our relationship with others. What happens to faith when those two get disconnected?

Which statement challenges you more right now:
“Be patient when others succeed” or “Don’t maneuver to get what you want”? Why do you think that is?

How might selfish ambition quietly show up in spiritual or “good” activities (serving, leading, volunteering)?

What gifts or strengths has God given you that might be meant more for others’ flourishing than your own advancement?

What would it look like this week to intentionally choose “last place” in one relationship or setting? Be specific.

How could serving someone else more intentionally deepen your relationship with God rather than distract from it?

MARK 8:34-38

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

10 Points to Ponder

In this passage, Jesus acknowledges that the world is not ideal, He identifies the reason why (sin), He describes the solution (acknowledging Him), and He predicts how all win end (with judgment).

We know that we are all going to die. We need not fear death, but we should certainly be prepared for it. The most important event you can get ready for is the moment you step into eternity.

Aligning yourself with Jesus means loving what Jesus loved and hating what Jesus hated. It means seeking what Jesus sought and avoiding what Jesus avoided. Those who live this way will never fit in with a world that is opposed to Jesus.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Romans 1 describes an adulterous and sinful generation as a society that has chosen to worship itself rather than God. They have chosen to ignore the truth they know about God so that they can pursue their own desires and agenda.

We live in an adulterous and sinful generation. We can’t change or control that. What we can control is whether or not we live as part of this generation or in opposition to this generation.

If your faith never costs you anything, you may not be truly living out your faith… or you may not have as much faith as you thought you did.

If we are judged solely on our own works, we’ll all deserve judgment. We need someone to intervene and to take our judgment for us.

I can never earn my own salvation, and I can never keep my own salvation. I’m not good enough. But Jesus is. And Jesus does!

When we face the final judgment, Jesus will either be the prosecuting attorney or he’ll be our defense attorney. The choice is ours.

Nothing else matters if your name is not in the book of life.

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Courage That Keeps Us From Shame

(Mark 8:38)

Jesus’ words in Mark 8:38 are arresting:

“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed…”

That verse forces an honest question—what keeps people quiet about Jesus?
Often, the answer isn’t doubt. It’s fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of loss. Fear of standing out.

If we don’t want to be ashamed of Jesus, we must learn how to live with courage. And Scripture gives us a clear path.

1. Be Okay with Suffering and Slander

Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. In fact, He promised the opposite.

In John 15:19–20, Jesus tells His disciples that the world will resist them precisely because they belong to Him. He was hated. He told us to expect the same. Courage begins when we stop being surprised by opposition.

Across the world today, many believers pay a far higher price than social discomfort—thousands are killed each year for their faith. When we experience no tension at all, it’s worth asking whether our faith is visible enough to provoke a response.

Courage doesn’t mean seeking conflict. It means refusing to be controlled by the fear of it.

2. Choose Now to Be Loyal First to Jesus

Peter writes, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:15). To revere Christ is to set Him apart—to place Him above every other loyalty.

Marriage gives us a helpful picture. Loyalty isn’t something you turn on and off depending on the room you’re in. A spouse who hides their wedding ring when it’s inconvenient isn’t loyal; they’re compromised.

The same is true with Jesus. When our faith is public on Sunday but hidden the rest of the week, something is out of alignment. Our willingness to speak about Christ is often the clearest indicator of whether He truly holds first place in our lives.

Courage grows when our allegiance is settled.

3. Be Ready With Your Answer

Peter continues:
“Always be prepared to give an answer…for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

Preparation matters. But notice what Peter doesn’t say. He doesn’t require expert-level answers to every question. He points us to hope—to expectation.

You don’t need all the answers. You need your answer.

How has Jesus changed your expectations for life?
How has He reshaped your view of eternity?

A life transformed by Christ naturally raises questions. And when those questions come, courage speaks—not harshly, not defensively—but with gentleness and respect.

Courage Is the Fruit of Conviction

Jesus’ warning in Mark 8:38 isn’t meant to paralyze us—it’s meant to clarify us. Courage doesn’t come from personality or volume. It comes from settled loyalty, prepared hearts, and a willingness to follow Jesus even when it costs something.

And when courage grows, shame loses its grip.

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Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about following Jesus without shame:

• Romans 1:16-17
• 1 Peter 4:16
• 2 Timothy 1:12
• Hebrews 12:1-2
• Galatians 6:14
• Psalm 119:46
• Matthew 5:11-12

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

How can fear get in the way of living out our faith? What are you afraid might happen if you fully align your life with Jesus’?

Where do I most feel the pressure to stay quiet about my faith? Why?)

What does Mark 8:37 reveal about Jesus’ value system?

In Mark 8:38, what does Jesus mean by “this adulterous and sinful generation”?  In what ways does this description still fit the culture we live in today?

What does it look like—practically—for your life to be aligned with Jesus rather than shaped by cultural approval?

Where am I most tempted to blend in rather than stand firm?)

When I am silent about my faith in Jesus, what am I revealing about myself?

How can Mark 8:38 give me confidence?

What courageous obedience is God inviting you into right now? What is one specific step you can take this week to live more openly aligned with Jesus—at work, at home, or in relationships?

The Most Common Temptation

Not to walk away from Jesus—but to redefine Him

We often reshape Jesus into something more comfortable, useful, or affirming—rather than submitting to who He actually is.

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Common Versions of a Re-Defined Jesus

“Trump Card” Jesus

• Jesus always agrees with me—so you must be wrong
• Used to win arguments, not pursue truth
• Often marked by anger, bitterness, and a constant need to fight

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“Genie” Jesus

• Jesus exists to grant wishes and fix problems
• Faith is transactional: If I ask, He must deliver
• Quickly abandoned when prayers aren’t answered the way we want

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“Birkenstock” Jesus

• Peace, love, and good vibes only
• Uncomfortable with sin, repentance, judgment, or authority
• A Jesus who affirms but never confronts

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“Copilot” Jesus (Bailout Jesus)

• “Jesus, take the wheel” — but only in a crisis
• Invited in after poor decisions, not before them
• Often rooted in disappointment with one’s own mess

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“Activist” Jesus

• Jesus came primarily to tear down oppressive systems
• Always fighting, never resting
• Lacks peace, joy, and hope
• (This was Judas’ expectation of Jesus)

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Bottom Line

Any Jesus who looks exactly like us, agrees with us completely, or exists to serve our agenda is not the Jesus of the Gospels.

The real Jesus doesn’t fit our image—He reshapes it.

MARK 8:27-35

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

10 Points to Ponder

Many people think Jesus is a good guy. Few believe He is God. Sadly, the wide road leads to destruction, and there are many who travel that way.

If Jesus claimed to be God (and He did), than He is either a liar, a lunatic, or He is the Lord!

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.
C.S. Lewis)

Your actions, not your words, are a better demonstration of who you truly think Jesus is. If He is Lord, He must be Lord of your life.

Peter’s declaration about Jesus was simple and correct, but incomplete. We will never get every jot and tittle correct, but childlike faith is what gets us to God.

If Jesus did what He said He would do, then we must take seriously what He said about Himself. He is the giver of abundant life. He is the only way to the Father. He holds the keys to eternal life.

Following Jesus means following Him into suffering, rejection, and even death. But it also means following Him into resurrection.

The teaching that Christians won’t or shouldn’t suffer is straight from the pit of hell. Suffering is an expected part of every Christ-follower’s experience.

If I don’t join Jesus in death, I will die for eternity. If I align with Jesus’ death (by dying to self), I will live for eternity.

In every relationship, you are either influencing, being influenced, or a combination of the two. Be wise about who you spend the majority of your time with.

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
(Psalm 1:1-2)

Losing my life means letting go of my own agenda and expectations and clinging tightly to what God has done for me and what He is doing in me.

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Friends are great. Many times, our friends become closer than family. Our friends laugh with us, care for us, and shape us. You’ve probably heard the expression that all of us are the average of the five people with whom we spend the most time.

Sometimes our friends shape us toward joy. When we are with them, their high spirits are contagious. They are full of encouragement, always speaking well of everyone else, and always seeing the positives in every situation.

But sometimes, our friends shape us in a darker direction. We began to adopt their proclivity for complaining. The criticisms they aim at everyone else become a weapon in our arsenal as well. Being with them leads us to see problems and persecution everywhere.

If the people around you encourage anger in you, find a new group of friends. Their negativity is a trap. They’ll snare you with gossip and eventually lead you into depression and despair.

Find friends who lift you up and lift others up. Surround yourself with people who see the best in you and in those around you. You are what you eat and you are like those with whom you meet.

So avoid those who gather to conspire, and instead meet up with people who inspire.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about letting go so we can hold more tightly:

• Matthew 16:26
• Philippians 3:7-8
• Hebrews 12:1
• Isaiah 43:18-19
• Colossians 3:8,12
• Galatians 5:19-23
• 1 Peter 2:1-2

Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:

1. When you hear Jesus say, “If anyone would come after me,” what emotions or reactions does that stir in you right now—interest, resistance, curiosity, fear? Why?
2. Where do you feel the tension most clearly between following Jesus and preserving your own comfort, preferences, or control?
3. What three commands does Jesus give in verse 34, and how do they build on one another rather than stand alone?
4. According to verse 35, how does Jesus redefine what it means to “save” or “lose” your life? How is His definition different from the world’s?
5. Why do you think Jesus connects self-denial and taking up a cross with following Him, instead of listing beliefs or religious behaviors?
6. What does “losing your life” not mean, based on the context of this passage? What misunderstandings might people bring to this phrase?
7. In what ways can a person actively try to “save” their life—and yet slowly lose it spiritually, relationally, or eternally?
8. How does Jesus’ promise that losing your life for His sake actually leads to saving it challenge the way you define success, security, or fulfillment?
9. What is one area of your life right now where following Jesus would require a real letting go—of control, approval, ambition, or comfort? What might obedience look like there?
10. If someone watched your choices this week, what evidence would they see that Jesus—not self—is the one you’re following? What is one specific step you can take to make that clearer?

MARK 5:21-43

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. ²² Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet ²³ and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” ²⁴ And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. ²⁵ And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, ²⁶ and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. ²⁷ She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. ²⁸ For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” ²⁹ And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. ³⁰ And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” ³¹ And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” ³² And he looked around to see who had done it. ³³ But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. ³⁴ And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
³⁵ While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” ³⁶ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” ³⁷ And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹ And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰ And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. ⁴³ And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:21-43

10 Points to Ponder

Fear loses its controlling power when faith is placed in someone truly reliable. “Don’t fear. Only believe” is not optimism—it’s a call to trust Jesus’ character.

Jesus’ command to believe is rooted in who He is, not in how the situation appears. Faith rests on character, not circumstances.

Jesus’ love is not passive sentiment; it is active movement toward people in need. He didn’t stay behind—He went with Jairus.

Jesus’ complete knowledge means nothing in your life is random, overlooked, or misunderstood. The God who numbers hairs and sees sparrows also sees every detail of your fear.

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26)

Because Jesus is all-powerful, even death is not a final obstacle—only a temporary one. The One who holds the keys of death is never intimidated by it.

Because Jesus holds all things together, uncertainty never equals instability. What feels shaky to us is still secure in Him.

Jesus is all-loving. Therefore, he wants what is best for us.
Jesus is all-knowing. Therefore, He knows what is best for us.
Jesus is all-powerful. Therefore, He can do what is best for us.

Every fearful response we choose is an attempt to regain control apart from trust. Anger, anxiety, blame, and control are substitutes for faith.

Fear distracts us by causing us to focus on what might not even be real. Faith keeps us focused by keeping our eyes on what is eternally real.

Faith becomes visible when we choose patience, responsibility, and goodness in ordinary moments. Trust in Jesus is most evident in how we live today.

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Psalm 56:3 is the ultimate WHEN/THEN verse.

Fear shows up in all kinds of ways, and usually at the most inconvenient times. It tends to arrive when life feels uncertain, when outcomes are unclear, or when we’re reminded how little control we actually have. The problem isn’t that fear shows up—it’s what we do next. Most of us have some default reactions. We get angry and want to walk away. We get anxious and pull back. We try to grab control, assign blame, or make excuses. Those responses feel natural, but they rarely lead us anywhere good.

That’s why the when/then principle is so helpful. When fear shows up, then I don’t have to react—I can choose. Fear doesn’t get to dictate my behavior unless I let it. Scripture doesn’t pretend fear isn’t real; it simply redirects it. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” That’s not denial, and it’s not pretending everything is fine. It’s a conscious decision to shift my focus from what I can’t control to the One who can. Fear becomes the signal, not the driver.

Living this out means building better reflexes. When life feels uncertain, then I focus on today instead of spiraling into tomorrow. When anxiety rises, then I slow down and choose patience. When fear tempts me to protect myself, then I look for good, take responsibility, and try to act more like Jesus. Over time, those small choices reshape how we respond. Fear may still knock, but trust doesn’t have to leave the room.

Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF

The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about faith in the face of fear:

• Joshua 1:9
• Isaiah 41:10
• John 14:26
• Romans 8:38-39
• Hebrews 13:6
• 2 Timothy 1:7
• Matthew 6:31-33

1. When fear shows up in your life, what is usually your default response—anger, anxiety, control, withdrawal, or something else?
2. Can you recall a recent moment when fear influenced a decision you made? What did it cost you—or protect you from?

3. What does Jesus’ command, “Do not fear, only believe,” reveal about the relationship between fear and faith?
4. What stands out to you about Jesus calling the woman “daughter,” and why might that moment matter as much as the healing itself?
5. Why do you think Jesus removed the crowd but invited the parents to stay, and what does that teach us about His love and wisdom?

6. How does seeing Jesus as all-loving, all-knowing, and all-powerful change the way you interpret fearful situations?
7. Which aspect of Jesus’ character—His love, His knowledge, or His power—do you find hardest to trust when fear is high? Why?
8. What does this passage suggest about the difference between reacting to fear and responding in faith?

9. Using the WHEN/THEN framework, how would you finish this sentence:
   When I am afraid, then I will… ?
10. What is one specific, practical way you could choose trust over fear this week—in your relationships, decisions, or mindset?