NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passages: Matthew 16:13-26
Discussion Questions:
- How do we let our own agendas replace God’s greater plans?
- What does it mean to deny ourselves and carry our cross?
- In what areas are you struggling to lay down your own plans, dreams or purposes today?
Food for thought:
The world is made up of leaders and followers. The majority of us are followers. As followers, it is critically important who we follow.
History is replete with people who followed others to destruction and death. Leaders like Jim Jones of the Jonestown massacre, cult leader Charles Manson of the murderous Manson family, or David Koresh of the Branch Davidian tragedy, all led their followers to disaster. Each of us must choose leaders wisely. Follow those who lead to life and not to death.
Caesarea Philippi was prominent for its many shrines to false gods. Later, it became an early center for emperor worship. This hub of pagan fervor was the backdrop for Jesus’ questions about how people perceived Him. The disciples gave a variety of answers: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or some other prophet. The common belief was that one or more of these would serve as a forerunner to the Messiah. Thus, the crowd likely saw Jesus as a forerunner to the Messiah, not the Messiah Himself.
Jesus turned to the opinion of the disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This was an important question for all the disciples. Peter answered for the group, declaring that Jesus was the promised Messiah and the unique Son of God. Jesus affirmed that Peter’s answer originated in a source other than “flesh and blood” (v. 17). It was a divine insight.
The Gospels and the first chapters of Acts point to Peter as a recognized leader among the apostles. However here, he represented all disciples. They were the ones Jesus was training to continue His mission on earth.
After Peter’s confession, Jesus shifted His focus from ministry in Galilee to the sacrifice He would make in Jerusalem. He shared with His followers why it was necessary for Him to suffer, die and rise again. Peter assumed he knew what was best for Jesus. Peter rebuked his Master, possibly because he felt a new sense of authority after his great confession.
Jesus rebuked Peter using words similar to the rebuke to Satan in Matthew 4:10. In rebuking Peter, Jesus was really rebuking Satan again and denouncing this latest temptation to stray from God’s plans. Jesus knew He would suffer and that the path of following Him would lead His followers to suffer as well. Jesus explained the standard for His disciples.
Following Jesus requires self-denial and self-sacrifice for His sake. His disciples must deny themselves. They must reject trying to replace God as the head of their lives. They also are called to take up their cross and follow Him.
Jesus’ disciples must be willing to pay any price for His sake. The Christian life is a paradox. Those who surrender their lives to Christ will find eternal life through Him. Those who try to save their own lives will die spiritually. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it” (v. 25).
Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world sent by God. We cannot follow Jesus fully until we know and accept His true identity. We cannot follow Jesus fully until we accept His mission as Messiah and Savior. We cannot follow Jesus fully until we sacrifice our personal agendas to Him. Following Him leads to abundant and eternal life.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.
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