DNA - The Challenge of Discipleship

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ He said. ‘You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’ ”
(Mark 8:31-33)
     Passage: Mark 8:27-38

         Peter had just confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God and then he turned around and rebuked Jesus for talking about His death and resurrection. Peter’s confession showed his belief. His rebuke of Jesus showed his sin nature. Jesus would have none of that. He rebuked Peter pointedly and told Peter that when his attempt to prevent Jesus from dying was a direction from Satan and not from the Spirit.
        What Peter experienced that day illustrates the challenge of discipleship. We become believers by the simple act of believing Jesus is Lord and Savior and receiving Him by faith. His Spirit enters our lives and we are born again. Though we are now secure for eternity and Satan cannot remove our salvation, he will try to keep us from growing as a disciple who fulfills God’s purposes for us. Discipleship requires a choice to be a disciplined follower of Jesus. Make it your aim to be a disciple.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)