Summary: “Taking up your cross” signifies a daily commitment to self-denial, sacrifice, and following Christ’s teachings, even when facing hardship or opposition. It’s a metaphor for a life of discipleship, where one willingly embraces the burdens and challenges of following Jesus rather than prioritizing one’s own desires or ambitions.

In preparing them for His coming crucifixion, Jesus talked to His disciples about their cross.  He left no doubt what discipleship meant: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus was speaking to the disciples, to the crowd that followed Him, to all the people who have lived from that day to today and us.  He laid the groundwork for us to understand what it means to be a disciple following Him. We need to live crucified lives.

Jesus gave them all a word picture that people in those ancient times understood very clearly but were still probably shocked at those words. Undoubtedly, many people— even the disciples — believed Jesus was about to bring a glorious and powerful kingdom to earth. Many had already drifted away, and now this statement. What He was saying to them and saying to us is to crucify — to put to death — our plans and desires. We’re to stop trying to gratify the flesh. Our taking up is a matter of bowing down. Jesus never hid the cost of discipleship. He calls us to bow in absolute surrender to Him. This isn’t a mystical, deeper life activity for some spiritual super-elite; it’s for all who desire to follow the Lord.

Surrender is easy when life is running smoothly, but surrendering to God’s will can be more difficult during struggles and trials. Jesus said we would face many troubles (John 16:33). We will likely suffer in some way as we follow in His steps. We do not need to think about this once a year. Instead, we must choose to live dead to yourself every single day. We constantly need to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually see that our old sinful nature has been nailed to the cross.

And while this seems like a lot to ask of us, we can’t forget that the cross can set us free, even now. We are set free because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We need to stay in that position of dying to self, dying to what we want, and dying to what we want to happen.

To die daily is just another way of saying, “Lord, help me see the opportunities to follow you.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What does “take up your cross and follow Jesus” mean? 
2. How does the concept of “taking up your cross” relate to denying yourself and sacrificing your own desires? 
3. What are some concrete ways that we might be carrying our crosses in our daily lives? 

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” –  2 Timothy 3:12.

People new to the faith can often conclude that Christianity is hard for some and easy for others. They are wrong. The Bible suggests that following Jesus is hard for some, and for others, it is even harder.

While there are many blessings that come with being a Christian, there are also important costs that come with following Christ. The benefits outweigh the costs and a life with Christ is the best gift we can ever receive. But following Jesus will mean facing difficulties. We will not face some of the difficulties people faced in the Bible, over the centuries and even our brothers and sisters around who face daily persecution. That doesn’t mean that following Jesus is easy for the rest of us.

In 2 Timothy 3:12,  Paul doesn’t mince words. If you want to follow Jesus and do the things He did, you are going to face pushback. It’s a scriptural guarantee—following Jesus is not easy. Mark 8:34 adds, “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” If you actually want to follow Jesus, He says that you need to die to yourself (take up your cross) and follow Him. The Scripture continues right after in Mark 8:35: “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

One day, a man went up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what can I do to gain eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) From his question, it seems that he really wanted to follow Christ. Jesus responds and tells him to follow the commandments. The man was probably pleased because he responded, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Then Jesus looked at him lovingly and said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor…” The man walked away from Jesus sorrowfully – he didn’t want to give up his stuff.

Like many people today, the young ruler failed to understand that following Christ comes with a cost. He didn’t consider that Jesus would ask him to give up his greatest possessions.

The Bible is clear: Following Jesus comes at a cost. One of the worst lies of modern Christianity is that following Jesus is easy. Following Jesus is not easy. It’s life-giving and so much more. But “easy” is not an applicable word.

But for anyone willing to pay that cost, they will find life. You will find real contentment within yourself when nothing is left except for Jesus. There, Jesus will prove that He is all you have ever needed.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the challenges or sacrifices you anticipate making as you consider following Jesus more fully? 
2. How does the concept of “counting the cost” relate to your own life and choices? 
3. In what ways might your life or relationships be affected if you prioritize following Jesus over other priorities? 

“ Golf… is the infallible test. The man who can go into a patch of rough alone, with the knowledge that only God is watching him, and play his ball where it lies, is the man who will serve you faithfully and well” – P.G. Wodehouse.

You don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate what’s known among golfers as a “mulligan.” What is it? A mulligan is a do-over, an opportunity to try again after hitting a bad shot. Mulligans aren’t in the official rule book of golf. It’s more like an informal courtesy among recreational golfers. Say you hit a ball off the tee, and it ricochets off a tree trunk into the pond, never to be seen again. That’s when you might hear a compassionate golfing buddy say, “take a mulligan.” If it weren’t for the mulligan, most people would quit playing golf after their first time trying because hitting that little white ball is so hard, and second chances make it easier and more enjoyable.

Look and you will see the mercy of a mulligan throughout the Bible. Time after time, God gave people who hit poor shots another opportunity. Peter is one example. At the Last Supper, Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter, of course, vehemently protested, boasting that he was ready to go to prison and to death. “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.” (Matthew 26:35).

It didn’t take long for Peter to fail. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter was sitting outside in a courtyard when a servant girl recognized him and claimed he was with Jesus. He denied it. Later, another servant girl and bystanders further questioned him, and each time, Peter denied knowing Jesus, even swearing and cursing to prove it. After the third denial, a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered Jesus’ prediction, leading him to weep bitterly.

Peter had failed and failed miserably. He must have replayed those denials again and again in his head. He probably assumed he could never make it right because Jesus had died. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples, Peter must have been thrilled that Jesus was alive, but you have to wonder if the feeling of failure lingered. Whether he still deserved to be a disciple may have been running through his mind.  Yet, Jesus had promised Peter during the Last Supper that Peter seems to have forgotten: “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32 NIV). Did you catch that? “And when you have turned back…” Jesus expected his disciples to get back into the game after his failure.  Did Peter Fail? He did. Peter was given a second chance at discipleship. He received a spiritual mulligan, a do-over in ministry.

Maybe you are struggling with a sense of failure today and wondering if you’re beyond hope. While we don’t want to go out of our way to fail because there can be consequences, we do need to trust that God is a God of second chances and miracles.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the idea of “mulligans” or second chances mean to you personally?
2. Do you believe in the concept of “mulligans” or second chances in life, and why or why not?
3. How does the idea of “mulligans” or second chances impact your view of forgiveness from others and yourself?

“Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

An energy shortage occurs when energy demand exceeds supply, leading to disruptions and economic consequences, such as reduced output in industries and businesses. Energy shortages can lead to higher energy prices, reduced industrial output, job losses, and slower economic growth, as well as disruptions in daily life. While Christians don’t experience a literal “energy shortage” in how we think of physical energy like electricity or fuel, we may experience a “spiritual energy shortage” or burnout.

C.S. Lewis tells us that God is our fuel. He is the power, the solution, and the puzzle piece necessary for life. When God is out of the picture, everything doesn’t seem to fit anymore. When God is absent, we miss the fuel for a vibrant, purposeful life.

Perhaps no one worked harder to accomplish his earthly mission than the Apostle Paul. In his letter to the believers at Colossae, he told them of his great labors to further Christ’s gospel. He also shared, however, that he did so not according to his strength, but with “ all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29). When we see through Scripture all that Paul accomplished, he seems like a uber Christian, some rare breed of super missionary that God specially equipped in some powerful way. But Paul shared the secret to his extraordinary ability to keep going – the energy of God propelled and sustained him.

Wind-up toys were all the rage years ago. They slid around the table, making noises until it was time to wind them up again. They only had so much energy that needed to be replenished. In other words, the toy required constant attention and intervention to continue. Christians have the same challenge. Our energy comes from a source other than us. We cannot continue without God’s power, which works in us through the Holy Spirit. If we are not continually connecting with our power source, we will eventually become ineffective and tired.

Paul must have understood this truth because look at how he prayed for his brothers and sisters: “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need…” (Colossians 1:10-11).

The life God has planned for you is designed to require constant dependence on Him. You cannot do it alone; if you try, you will find yourself weary and defeated.

He is our power source and the only fuel we need.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to you for God to be your source and supply? 
2. What can we do regularly to refuel our lives spiritually?

Summary: Most of us know we own too much stuff. We feel the weight and burden of our clutter, and we tire of cleaning, managing, and organizing. While excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, fancier technology, and cluttered homes, it never brings happiness. Rather, it results in a desire for more. It redirects our greatest passions to things that can never be fulfilled. And it distracts us from the very life God wants us to live.

“Whoever Dies With The Most Toys Wins” – bumper sticker.

In many ways, it is a rite of passage that begins very early in life. Most toddlers go through the “mine, mine, mine” stage. Even at a young age, if we see it and like it, we want it. In the toddler’s mind, owning and wanting are the same. But does the “want for more” change as the seasons of life change? The short answer is no. Wanting more will be with us through all the stages of this life. So how do we learn to be content?

In Philippians 4, Paul tells us he learned the secret of contentment, and it’s not what we might expect. The secret wasn’t to deny his needs and wants, nor to fake contentment. Nor was it to act like your circumstances are so good that you have to be content. The reality is contentment is possible because it’s independent of our circumstances. That doesn’t mean we won’t still have desires. You can be content in Christ and still desire for something to be different.

The Bible offers some practical ways to be content. We can: “…. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8) Psalm 103:1-2 says, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” 

So yes, we can be content in our current circumstances while still yearning for change. Whether in our relationship status, career, or daily struggles, we can be honest about our desires while trusting that God isn’t holding back His best from us. Contentment isn’t about settling for less, it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in Christ, regardless of our circumstances.

God wants more for our lives than we can comprehend. Ephesians 3:20‑21, tells us, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” God can do anything. And not just a little bit more than we dream of. Far more.

“The contented person experiences the sufficiency of God’s provision for his needs and the sufficiency of God’s grace for his circumstances. He believes God will indeed meet all his material needs and that He will work in all his circumstances for his good. That is why Paul could say, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” The godly person has found what the greedy or envious or discontented person always searches for but never finds. He has found satisfaction and rest in his soul.”  – Jerry Bridges.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does contentment mean to you, and how does it differ from satisfaction or happiness?
2. How does your understanding of contentment align with or differ from the world’s view of contentment?
3. How can we learn to be content under challenging circumstances, and what role does faith play in this process?
   

“God will never lead contrary to His word—so get acquainted with the Word of God, the Bible. Pray. He leads through the illumination of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Use whatever you have and be faithful. We are called to serve Christ in our sphere of influence.” ― Billy Graham.

An important aspect of life is influence. Each one of us influences someone in this world. You don’t have to be famous, rich, or successful. You don’t need an impressive degree or many followers on social media. A specific age, nationality, or personality is not a requirement, and your job, location, or marital status do not limit you.

Everyone has influence. As Christians, we have the opportunity and often the ability to make a profound difference in the lives of others. Every believer can impact someone else’s life for good or bad. We can make a difference in someone’s life at work, a restaurant, church, home, or just by talking to a neighbor by the fence. They will be influenced one way or another by what you say and do. As Christians, it often seems that God’s greatest moments for us are never for us alone. These pivotal moments are always about our lives touching the lives of others or someone touching ours. A life touched by God always ends up touching others.

When you enter a store, you can make or break the cashier’s day by what you say and do. The same is true for UPS drivers, people working at Publix, or the person at the bank.  God calls us to be good stewards of every kind of influence we have. Paul writes, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that” (Galatians 6:4 MSG). The question before us today is: how will we choose to use our influence?

We can actively choose to use our influence to further God’s Kingdom.  Consider the example of Daniel, who used his influence to bring glory to God, even in the face of adversity. He chose to put God first, and as a result, he gained wisdom, favor, and the ability to influence others toward righteousness. Similarly, we can prioritize God in our lives and allow His character to shine through our actions and words.

Influence is relational. Think about the most influential people in your life—those who shaped or changed you the most—those you admire, respect, and want to be like.  I’ll bet they built you up, empowered you, and called out the best in you. They gave you encouragement or opportunities to become a better you. Your influence grows when you stop thinking about being great or being an influence and start thinking about empowering others to be great.

We need to do the same for the people in our lives. Remember that God created you to have influence. Not because you’re great but because God is great. And because He has allowed us to have influence. All influence requires is interaction with people—and we all have that ability.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do your views and opinions influence your friends? Why or why not? How do your peers respect your beliefs and values?
2. How do you positively influence your friends?
3. What can we do this week to be a better influence on others?

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” – Psalm 46:1-3.

If you habitually turn on your computer and scroll through your newsfeed every morning, you are probably in for a jolt. When we look at the current global landscape, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of challenges facing our world. We’re witnessing unprecedented political polarization tearing at the fabric of societies worldwide, economic instability threatening the financial security of millions, and unprecedented social upheaval.

It is hard to look at what is happening around the world and in our own backyard without a mix of anxiety and uncertainty about the short—and long-term outlook. But when things seem like they are spiraling in the wrong direction, we need to remember that Christ is our only guaranteed constant in life and that our comfort is found in our Creator, not our circumstances.

Isaiah 46:10 says, “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” This text says that God has the rightful authority, the freedom, the wisdom, and the power to bring about everything that He intends to happen. And therefore, everything He wants to come about does come about. This means that God plans and governs all things. God reveals the end from the beginning and that His purpose will stand, emphasizing His omniscience and sovereignty, meaning He knows and controls all things, and His plans will be fulfilled.

Our faith in Christ offers a firm foundation when everything else seems to change—seeing these difficulties through the prism of faith, realizing that our hope is rooted in Someone far greater than our current circumstances.  To become more like Jesus, we need to practice living with purpose. This means understanding that our lives have significance beyond our immediate circumstances. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every moment spent in prayer contributes to God’s larger purpose. We may not always see the immediate impact of our faithfulness, but we can trust that God is working through us to accomplish His will, even amid chaos. In other words, rather than the chaos of our times diminishing our faith, let them refine and strengthen it.

We all know people who are wrestling with anxiety or are feeling overwhelmed by their current circumstances. Shoot them a text, meet up for coffee, or find some other way to spend some time with them to encourage them. Proverbs 12:25 serves us well in this area:  “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Finding comfort in the chaos is simple, but it’s not easy. Be patient, be persistent, and lean into our ever-present comfort: Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the current state of the world make you feel, and how can we find hope amid chaos?
2. How can we find peace and stability in a world that often feels unstable and chaotic?

“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Mark 14:36.

What is God’s true name? We have one God, yet He has many names. God’s different names are important because they represent His nature and reveal His attributes. As we study the Hebrew names of God in the Bible and their meanings, we grow in our knowledge of Him and grow in our personal relationship with Him.

Our goal is to know God in a way that goes beyond the theoretical into the experiential. We want to experience His hand, grace, and power in and throughout our lives. The more we learn about God’s different names, the better equipped we are to recognize the ways they manifest in our lives.

It is likely that most Christians have heard God referred to as “Abba Father” throughout their lives: in prayers, at church, while reading the Bible in quiet time, etc. Mark 14:36 says, “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Romans 8:15 says, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” And Galatians 4:6 says, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Jesus was God in the flesh, letting the Father speak through Him as He went about His ministry of spreading the Word of God to all who would hear and obey. Jesus would refer to God as Abba Father because He was connected to God in a way that no one could or would ever be able to undo.

When He calls God “Abba Father” in the garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14:36, it expresses humble admiration for His Father. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with the words, our Father. There is much truth in those two words alone. The holy and righteous God, who created and sustains all things, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present, not only allows us but encourages us to call Him “Father.” This is a privilege that can never be overstated.

Jesus knew that viewing God as Father and believing that He invites us to a life of intimate union with Him would be difficult. But this is the character of our “Abba” Father—a God who relentlessly pursues us and wants a deep and intimate relationship with us. He wants to bridge every gap or chasm between Him and us, to know us completely, and love us unconditionally.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the implications of God being our “Abba Father” for our lives and our faith? 
2. How does the concept of “Abba, Father” encourage us to approach God in prayer and worship? 

 “What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:9-11.

Nihilism is a philosophical belief that rejects the existence of objective truth, morality, or meaning. The father of Nihilism, Friedrich Nietzsche, believed that life can appear “futile” or meaningless in the sense that there is no inherent, external purpose or cosmic design to existence. Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and have no purpose other than basking in the futility of it all.

Regardless of our faith background or life circumstances, we all live for something. Our lives are driven by a vision of what we consider to be the good life. Whether consciously or unconsciously, this foundational belief shapes our pursuits, choices, and actions. It holds sway over our thoughts and attitudes, dictating how we perceive ourselves and the world around us.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to examine what truly controls our lives and surrender ourselves to the Lord. Jesus invites us to place Him at the center of our lives, embracing His teachings, values, and love and allowing them to mold us to be more like Him. Jesus’ promise of abundant life is a remarkable invitation to experience a rich, full life.

The story of Stephen in the book of Acts provides us with a front-row seat to the good life God desires for us. In Stephen’s story, we witness a man who, despite the challenges and opposition he faced, exemplified the abundant life that Jesus promised. Stephen’s life was marked by a deep and intimate relationship with God, characterized by his being “full of” the Holy Spirit, wisdom, faith, grace, and power. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Acts 7:55).

Stephen’s fullness of life also stemmed from his unwavering faith. This steadfast faith gave him the confidence to endure persecution and ultimately face death with grace and forgiveness.

Life has meaning when serving Jesus because by following Jesus’ teachings and dedicating one’s life to serving others in His name, individuals find a deeper purpose and fulfillment that transcends worldly pursuits, aligning their actions with God’s will and experiencing a more abundant life as described in the Bible.

“Your potential is the sum of all the possibilities God has for your life.” – Charles Stanley.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ teaching on “abundant life” differ from worldly perspectives on fulfillment?
2. What areas of your life might need adjustment to experience greater fullness in your relationship with God?
3. What specific steps can you take this week to move closer to experiencing the fullness of life in Christ?

“After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.” – Judges 3:31.

Everyone has had people in their lives who have impacted them.  People we point to and say, “This person changed my life” or “I am a better person because of that person’s influence in my life” or “I learned what it means to be a real Christian from them.” In the same way, we are called to impact the world around us. God calls us to change our world for the good.  We do this not so much by programs or through our times of worship.  The impact comes from the reality of Christ living in and through us. But real impact seems so relative: after all, the world’s problems seem so significant, and we seem too insignificant to do anything about them.

There is a story in the Old Testament that gives some perspective. It is about a guy named Shamgar. One verse in Judges 3:31 tells his story: “After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.” Wait, what? We need more details about his life, background, or the circumstances that led up to this Samson-like moment. We don’t get much information other than Shamgar had a real impact, judging by the words “rescued Israel.” The NIV says, “he saved Israel.”

Like so many others God uses, he was an ordinary person in an ordinary place doing an ordinary job. The thing that made him extraordinary wasn’t his own doing. His job was to be obedient to God, right where he was. God’s job was everything else. The same is possible for us. If we obey God amid our ordinary lives, an extraordinary impact is always possible.

The Bible doesn’t tell us, but one could assume that Shamgar never expected to be used by God to have the “rescuer of Israel” job title. And what about his choice of weapon? An ox goad was typically used to prod oxen, not as a weapon. However, since the Philistines would not allow the Israelites to have any weapons (1 Samuel 13:19-22), they were forced to use whatever they had. The point is that God’s hand is never limited by what we have in ours.

We Christians want to live lives that have an impact. Having an impactful life starts with a willingness to be used by God. No matter how little you think you bring to the table, you can be used by God if you are willing. Then, use what God has given you. You have gifts, talents, and abilities. God will use them if you offer them to Him.

God didn’t ask Shamgar to be anyone other than who he was. He’s not asking you to be anyone other than who He designed you to be. Whether you work in ministry, the business world, or at home with children, God uses your willing, obedient, ordinary life to accomplish extraordinary things in His name.

“God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. It doesn’t matter who we are. It matters who He is” – Christine Caine.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Shamgar’s story challenge the idea that only “great” or “powerful” people are used by God? 
2. How does Shamgar’s story encourage us to trust God’s power, even when we feel weak or insignificant? 
3. What lessons can we learn from Shamgar’s story about the importance of using what we have, regardless of how limited it may seem?