The Good News about Jesus—the gospel—is the only way for humans to find freedom from sin and be restored to fellowship with God. What is your understanding of the word, “gospel”? How have you seen the gospel at work in your life? What have you been called to sacrifice, and what were the rewards?

Being led by Jesus is not a call to self-betterment—it’s a call to obedience and sacrifice. In what ways do you tend to try and “do better” as a Christian? What does this reveal about your identity? How can you change your mindset to be more Christ-centered?

Jesus is going somewhere, and we must let ourselves be led by him. What temporary things distract you from following Jesus? What specific steps do you need to take in order to focus on Jesus’ eternal purpose above your own agenda?

Like the disciples, we all struggle with fear. Take some time to reflect and consider—what are you most afraid of? What does that fear reveal about your view of God? Are you struggling to believe that he’s in control or that he loves you?

Jesus calls the disciples to trust him without understanding him. Where are you frustrated with God’s apparent indifference towards your circumstances or to the plight of the world around you? Where are you tempted to believe the worst about him?

Understanding and clarity come after obedience. How can you move towards acting in obedience even without fully understanding God’s plan? What are some simple steps you can take to be “in proximity” to Jesus and his work?

Ironically, the demons in this passage beg Jesus for mercy when they have refused to extend mercy. How can we as believers live in such a way that marks us as quick to extend forgiveness, mercy, and grace? When have you been challenged to extend to someone else what you expect for yourself?

Jesus pushes us all to a point of decision—will we accept or reject him? Have you experienced a point in your life of complete surrender to God’s will? If so, how did this decision impact your life? If not, what is holding you back?

As believers, we often try to maintain control over certain areas of our lives instead of trusting in the one we know is good and powerful. Where do you have a tendency to grasp for control? What does this reveal about your fears and your view of God? How can you move towards surrendering that area to God?

Jesus is a good king with ultimate power and authority; however, his reign is marked by suffering and sacrifice for the sake of his people. How can this truth encourage us? How should it influence our trust in and obedience to Christ?

Like the disciples, we often miss the point of what it means to follow Jesus and focus on pursuing our own personal kingdoms. What are you pursuing in an effort to promote yourself or provide for your own comfort? What do you think about the idea that much of our anxiety is related to an over-focus on self?

Jesus redefined greatness as being a servant. In what ways are you serving those in your sphere of influence (family, coworkers, church, community)? What would it look like for you to pour more energy into sacrificing yourself and leveraging your resources in order to bless those around you?

As Jesus and his disciples approach Jerusalem, Jesus explains that his coronation will be marked by betrayal, suffering, and death. As king, he will use his power to save people through his sacrificial death and resurrection.

The fact that we serve a king who is both good and powerful should bring us great comfort, strengthen our trust, and inform the way we live our lives.

The disciples fail to understand Jesus’ mission. Instead, they view Jesus as a way to pull themselves up in pursuit of promotion and status. We also often use our roles in ministry to elevate ourselves.

In response, Jesus does not rebuke their ambition. He does, however, redefine what greatness is. To be great in God’s kingdom is to be a servant.

As believers, we must also realize that the cross is not just the way of salvation—it is the way of life for followers of Jesus.

We were created in God’s image in order to execute his will. This means we must follow Jesus’ model of servanthood.

Jesus makes it clear that God wants all of us—heart, soul, mind, and strength. Yet, we are often distracted by things the world promises will fulfill us. What are you tempted to trust in or pursue in place of God (prosperity, security, relationships, comfort, etc.)?

As you consider what it means to love your neighbor, take some time to reflect on how God has loved you. How can you intentionally focus your energy on remembering what God has done for you and how it has changed your life?

Who is your neighbor? Consider your family, friends, coworkers, or others whom God has placed in proximity to you. What would it look like for you to love them as you love yourself?

Evaluate your spiritual health. We all have work to do, but does the call to love God and love your neighbor seem out of reach? If so, what next step can you take towards getting spiritually healthy?

When Jesus suffered on the cross, he was able to look beyond the present moment of pain and trust in God’s sovereignty. Do you struggle to trust God when you are experiencing difficulty? How can you express sorrow honestly to God and still move towards faith and trust in his divine purposes?

Many of Jesus’ followers missed the purpose of his death because they were evaluating a divine power from a human perspective. We often do the same when we tell God what we would do if we had his power. In those difficult moments, how can you remind yourself that God is at work in a way that is much bigger than you can comprehend?

Take some time to reflect on all we have learned about Jesus and the gospel through this series. How should this information affect your mission—your purpose in life? In what area of your life do you struggle most to do this? What steps do you need to take to filter your beliefs, thoughts, and actions through the lens of the gospel?