Main Scripture Reference - Mark 8:34-38
Other Scripture References: Romans 10:9; John 1:1-3; Luke 9:23-25; I Corinthians 9:24-27

INTRO–‘Commitment Comes with a Cost’Read Mark 8:34-38

Like running a marathon, there are things in life you can’t do unless you really commit to serious work and training. And this can be said about living a life following Jesus. The confusion comes if you think that you can be a Christian without being a disciple, basically believing without following, because Jesus himself warns that following him will be difficult, exhausting, time consuming and require strenuous effort. It is one thing to be willing to die for Jesus, but successfully living for Jesus is actually harder.

• Have you ever started a big project and never finished? Why do you think this happened? What have you completed that took hard work and daily dedication to finish?


• Why is living for Jesus so hard to do?

STEP 1–‘Declaration’Read Romans 10:9 & John 1:1-3

In order to get from belief in Jesus to actually following Jesus you must first make a verbal declaration of commitment and allow others to hold you accountable to that commitment. There is something powerful about the spoken word that unless said never brings about the reality of what you are trying to accomplish. It is in speaking that word that actually begins the process of moving from just wanting to do something to beginning to bring it into reality.

• What is one verbal commitment you have made recently? Is it easier for you to follow through on that commitment because you said it out loud? Why or why not?


• Describe a time your spoken word helped create a desired reality to an aspiration, goal, or calling you had in your life? Why was there power in speaking it out loud?

STEP 2–‘Self Denial’Read Luke 9:23-25

The second step in becoming a true follower of Jesus is to begin saying no to self and yes to loosing your life for Christ and his kingdom. What makes this hard is that the culture is shouting that the road to happiness and freedom is found in fulfilling the self and gratifying every selfish desire you have. Jesus was very clear that those who want to find life must in actuality loose if for him, not fulfilling the desires of the self but the desires of God. To take this very hard step you must learn to say no to self and you do that by fasting. Fasting includes much more than food, it includes anything that keeps you from becoming the fully devoted and dedicated follower of Jesus, whether appetites, material accumulation, or worldly ambition.

• How good are you at self denial? Name one thing in which you recently said no in order to improve your walk with Christ?


• Name one way self denial has really enhanced or helped you in your relationship with another person. How has that experience built character in you?


• What do you need to begin ‘fasting from” today in order to overcome some selfishness in your life?

STEP 3–‘Self Discipline’Read I Corinthians 9:24-27

Finally real road work takes living a life of self-discipline. Like training for a marathon or any other competitive athletic event you need to plan and carry out daily life practices that will help you in your life as a Jesus follower. And you do it not so that you can become the greatest Christian of all time, but to become a true witness of Jesus to others around you as they view your life, your love, and your actions.

• What is one life discipline you practice on a daily basis? What is one you would truly love to have?


• How much of Jesus do people see when viewing your life? How can you improve your life to be a better witness of Jesus?


• What will you do specifically as you commit to this road work of discipleship and training?