Session 6
1 Then he said to them,
“Truly I tell you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power.”
while this is the first verse in a new chapter,
it really connects better with Jesus’s teaching on the meaning of discipleship at the end of Mark 8.
Use the content on page 59
p> outline what Jesus meant when He said
some of His listeners would not experience death before seeing the kingdom come in power.
talk about how having hope in Jesus gives them strength to follow Him each day.
Direct attention to the Apply the Text section on page 55 and discuss as a group how God is revealing His power through you collectively.
Point to specific examples of the Holy Spirit at work in your midst.
Ask what collective adjustments might be made to facilitate an even greater impact.
Allow volunteers to share how they have given up their plans and desires so they could pursue Christ’s mission in the world.
Give the group index cards and ask them to draw three columns labeled
Deny myself, Take up my cross, Follow Jesus.
Direct them to write one way they can do each of those this week.
Encourage them to share their commitments with a friend or family member as a way to increase accountability.
Invite the group to pray silently
for the person on their left,
asking God to help that individual focus on His concerns and to follow Jesus’s call to discipleship this week.
Reinforce the session by examining your own life to determine what being a follower of Jesus should look like. Consider how God is leading you toward a deeper level of commitment. Contact the group through email or text, reminding them of the daily call to take up their cross and follow Jesus.