Main Scripture Reference - John 12:23-28
Other Scripture References: John 12:13; I Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14; Romans 6:11; Hebrews 12:14; Philippians 2:1-4, 8-9

INTRO–‘Jesus’ Call to Die’Read John 12:23-28

In looking at the events that unfolded during the passion week of Christ’s life it is easy to see the paradox of faith that Jesus calls you to live out. To find life, Jesus said, you have to lose it and Jesus certainly lived that out by intentionally heading to the cross. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, ‘when Jesus calls a person, he bids them to come and die,’ and that is what Jesus is calling every follower to do, to come and die with him.

• When life gets a little tough are you a person who normally fights or takes flight? Why is that?


• How are you currently losing your life for Christ?

STEP 1–‘Death to Worldly Power’Read John 12:13 & I Corinthians 1:18

The call is to come and die, but the question remains, die to what? The first thing you must put to death is your faith and hope in worldly political power structures. The people in Jesus day were looking for a physical ruling king to bring them into a time of peace and prosperity and that is why they claim Jesus the coming Messiah on Palm Sunday when he entered Jerusalem. But Jesus didn’t come to set up a worldly kingdom but The Kingdom of God. You should not seek a democrat or republican kingdom but only Jesus’ kingdom which breaks down all barriers, issues, and dividing walls that separate people. Read Galatians 3:28 & Ephesians 2:14

• Do you ever evaluate or challenge your political beliefs with the life and teachings of Jesus? Name one Jesus kingdom value that transcends any political party or belief?


• How has Jesus torn down a ‘dividing wall’ or demeaning attitude in your life? Has God ever brought amazing reconciliation and healing into a relationship that was steeped in hate or un-forgiveness?

STEP 2–‘Death to Sin’Read Romans 6:11; Hebrews 12:14; & Reread John 12:27-28

The second thing you need to put to death in your life is sin. Everyone has been infected with a spirit of humanistic individualism that wants to make truth whatever he or she decides it to be. However, as a follower of Jesus you were called to holiness which literally means set apart for God’s use and purposes. That means that our words, thoughts, bodies, actions, etc., should daily be brought into conformity with God’s purposes so that people around you can see Jesus. Until you quit rationalizing sin in your life you will never have that abundant life that Jesus wants you to have building the kingdom and bringing life to those in need.

• Name one way you are trying to ‘set yourself apart’ for God’s purposes so that other may see Christ in you?


• Have you ever rationalized a sin or bad attitude in your life? Can you explain?


• What area of your life do you need to begin bringing into better conformity with God’s purposes? How can this group help?

STEP 3–‘Death to Self’Read Philippians 2:1-4, 8-9

Finally you must also die to self. Taking up the cross of Jesus is way more than bearing up under painful situations of life. The cross Jesus bore and suffered upon was not for his brokenness and burdens but yours. For Jesus your burdens and problems became his and in the same way you are to take up the burdens and problems of people around you. And you can’t do that until you begin to seek the interests of God instead of your interests which most often arise from selfish wants and desires.

• Since Jesus bore our burdens on the cross, have you ever taken on some else’s burden or pain? Has someone ever carried a burden for you?


• What is one God interest that you need to begin embracing instead of seeking your own interests?


• What do you need to ‘die to’ in order to walk more freely down this glory road of the cross with Jesus?