Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Communion Assistants: Gail Vojta and Nate Gilanyi
Ushers: Jim and Marilyn Hart
Offering: Bill Goulding
Matthew 16:21-28 – Jesus Predicts His Death
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (22) And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." (23) But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." (24) Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (25) For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (26) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (27) For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (28) Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Study Questions
- What are some ways you have tried to "find yourself"?
- Read Matthew 16:21. What did Christ tell His disciples would eventually happen to Him? What role does the Cross play in God’s plan?
- Read Matthew 16:22-23. How did Peter react to the news that Jesus would suffer and die and how did Jesus characterize Peter’s objections? In what ways are you tempted to share Peter’s attitude?
- Read Matthew 16:21-23. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between God’s will and our own. What guidelines can improve our ability to discern God’s will? What lessons can you learn from Peter’s experience.
- Read Matthew 16:24. What is required of the one who would follow Jesus?
- Read Matthew 16:25. What two ways can a person lose his or her life?
- Read Matthew 16:26. A What is the value of a person’s soul? In what way is Jesus’ question really a warning? How is this warning especially applicable to those who live in an affluent society?
- Read Matthew 16:27. What will happen after Christ returns?
- Read Matthew 16:28. What did Jesus promise His disciples?
- What does it mean to you to "take up your cross" and follow Jesus?
