Luke 9:18-20

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IDENTITY: MY LIFE OF FAITH

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Who am I? Most of us struggle with our identity at some point in life. Not knowing who you are can really mess up where you are. I know. When I was in my early twenties, I was a passenger in life traveling without a destination. I had grown up in a great environment, but I had made a total mess of my life. Jesus changed all that. He changed me, and now my identity is wrapped up in Christ. In these six sessions we will see what God says about who we are and who we can be in Christ. Our identity in Christ alters our identity at church, in our homes, at our places of work, and well, everywhere. We never lose our uniqueness in our various roles, but those roles are transformed by our life of faith—our true, defining identity. Let this study make you sure of who you are in Christ and how you can live out that identity.

MATT BROWN Matt Brown is the lead pastor of Sandals Church in Southern California. Matt’s passion is to see people become real and honest with themselves, God, and others. Matt has been married to his college sweetheart for over 20 years and they have three amazing kids. You can follow Matt on Twitter: @pastormattbrown.

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GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes

SESSION 1

LIFE IN CHRIST

SAY: “For the next six sessions we will be discussing the identity we have in Christ.” LEADER PACK: Point to Item 8: Identity. Ask a volunteer to read the elements

The Point

of the poster aloud.

Jesus’ identity is foundational to who I am.

The Bible Meets Life People find different ways to define their lives. Family gives my life meaning; work gives my life purpose; life is whatever I make it to be. The truth is that we only have real meaning and lasting purpose when our lives are grounded in Christ. “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and DISCUSS: Draw attention to the picture (PSG, p. 94) as you introduce Question #1: What’s a word or phrase

by Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17). All of life is wrapped up in Jesus.

The Passage Luke 9:18-26

that often comes up when

The Setting

people describe you?

Luke 9 records Jesus’ commissioning of the Twelve disciples (vv. 1-6); the

Reinforce the importance of basing our identity in Christ by reading The Point (PSG, p. 95): Jesus’ identity is foundational to who I am. PRAY: Thank God for the life He has given us and for giving us our identity in Him.

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disciples traveled from village to village ministering in Jesus’ name. Jesus then miraculously fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (vv. 12-17). These events were bringing more and more attention to Jesus as He carried out His public ministry. About midway through His earthly ministry, Jesus gathered His disciples to discuss His identity and its implications for their lives.

STUDY THE BIBLE

Luke 9:18-20 18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with

Luke 9:18-20 . 10 minutes

him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still

others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.”

GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG,

20 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

p. 95). Highlight the author’s

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

example of how people in our

KEY WORDS: God’s Messiah (v. 20)—The Hebrew word Messiah (Greek

and define who we are within

Christos) means “anointed one.” Kings, priests, and prophets all experienced

different relationships.

lives know us by different titles

God’s anointing. Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of this term.

SUMMARIZE: Before reading

The Gospel writers Matthew and Mark provide further context for this week’s passage (Matt. 16:13-27; Mark 8:27-38). Jesus’ discussion with His disciples took place at Caesarea Philippi, in a region north of Galilee near the foot of Mount Hermon. Herod the Great had built a temple there and dedicated it to Caesar Augustus. Philip, one of Herod’s sons, later re-named the site Caesarea Philippi in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberias and of himself. The site was a place of worship of the pagan god Pan. Perhaps Jesus took His disciples there to provide a contrasting backdrop to what they would soon discover about His identity. At a pagan worship site, Jesus taught them about Himself. 1

summarizing the information in The Setting on page 98. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 1 to give background on Caesarea Philippi. LEADER PACK: Point to Item 9: Caesarea Philippi. Ask a volunteer to read the

Jesus is God’s Son, the Messiah.

elements of the poster aloud.

Verse 18. Jesus was praying in private as often was His custom (Luke 5:16). Indeed, the Lord often took times away from His disciples to seek His Father in prayer. It clearly was something the disciples noticed, for they asked Jesus to teach them to pray (11:1-13). Luke especially stressed this habit of Jesus’ life (3:21; 5:16; 23:34,46). The statement that Jesus’ disciples were with him may mean He rejoined them after His time of prayer and solitude. The question Jesus asked them required no commitment on their part. They merely had to report what they had heard regarding the crowds who followed Jesus and listened to His teaching. Verse 19. The disciples answered that some considered Jesus might be a reappearance of John the Baptist. This apparently was the view of Herod Antipas (4 B.C.–A.D. 39) 2

the passage, set the context by

OPTION: Display a copy of your driver’s license or passport. Ask group members to list other things that serve as trustworthy proof of a person’s identity (birth certificate, social security card, etc.).

S U G G E S T E D U S E | W E E K O F A P R I L 23

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THE POINT

Jesus’ identity is foundational to who I am.

READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Luke 9:18-20.

SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 2 on page 99 and this page to explain the responses the disciples gave to the question, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 98): What are some words or phrases people use to describe Jesus? (Alternate: How would you respond to Jesus’ question in verse 20?)

SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 to explain Peter’s declaration of Jesus as “God’s Messiah.”

TRANSITION: ”In the next verses, Jesus revealed more to His disciples about His purpose on earth.”

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about Jesus at least at one point (Matt. 14:1-2). Part of John’s ministry included announcing Jesus’ coming, but by this time, Herod had put John to death (vv. 6-12). The disciples offered the name Elijah as another opinion they had heard. Elijah was a mighty prophet who served God faithfully in the days of wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 17–19). The prophet Malachi predicted that Elijah would appear before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5-6). Perhaps some assumed Jesus played the role of Elijah in announcing the day of God’s judgment. The disciples also provided a more vague answer; perhaps Jesus was one of the ancient prophets (Jeremiah, Matt. 16:14). We should understand Luke’s commentary as more of a summary. The disciples were able to report to Jesus a wide range of opinion regarding His identity. Verse 20. The words but you turned Jesus’ question in the direction of the disciples. The Lord asked them to respond to the question “who do you say that I am?” It was the most important question Jesus would ever ask His disciples, and it is the most important question we can ever answer as well. Today, many people recognize Jesus as a great moral teacher, as a prophet, or perhaps at least as a significant person of history. But is He more? Who do you say He is? 3 The text does not reveal whether the other disciples said anything to Jesus’ more personal question. However, Peter answered clearly and unmistakably; Jesus was God’s Messiah. By his answer, Peter affirmed that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purpose. The Hebrew word mashiach from which we get our word Messiah literally means “anointed one.” The word occurs about forty times in the Old Testament. Kings, priests, and prophets all received God’s anointing for His service. Kings of Israel sometimes had this title (“anointed,” 1 Sam. 24:6,10; “Anointed One,” Ps. 2:2). The high priest also carried this title (“anointed,” Lev. 4:3). Prophets also received God’s anointing (1 Kings 19:16). However, Jesus stands as God’s ultimate “Anointed One.” He was the fulfillment of all three of these important offices. He fulfilled a prophetic ministry while on earth as He brought God’s message to His people (Matt. 21:10-11). He fulfilled the priestly office by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:10-14). He intercedes for us now as our great High Priest in heaven (7:25). He fulfills the kingly role in that He hails from the line of David (Luke 1:32) and one day will return as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:11-16).

Luke 9:21-22 21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to

STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 9:21-22 15 minutes

no one, 22 saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many

things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”

READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Luke 9:21-22. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible

KEY WORDS: Son of Man (v. 22)—Jesus used this expression to describe

Commentary 4 to explain

Himself. It can describe a human being, but also is connected with a messianic

why Jesus instructed the

prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14.

disciples not to speak at

Jesus took up His cross for us. Verse 21. We do not know if the other disciples immediately embraced the truth of Peter’s confession that Jesus was God’s Messiah. We do know, however, that Peter correctly assessed Jesus’ identity. One might think once the disciples knew Jesus’ identity, He would have sent them forth to proclaim it. Surprisingly, He strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one. Why would Jesus instruct His followers to withhold the truth from people? The answer was one of context and timing. In the Old Testament, prophecies about the Messiah were many. Some of the prophecies predicted the Messiah would establish an earthly kingdom (Isa. 11:1-10; Jer. 23:5-6). During the time of Jesus’ ministry, Rome controlled much of the known world, including the land of Israel. The Jewish people felt the pain of Roman oppression and longed for their freedom. Consequently, they held dear those sacred passages that spoke of a political Messiah who would one day reign over all the earth and establish Israel as a prominent nation. However, other passages depicted the Messiah as a suffering Servant. The prophet Isaiah also spoke of a Messiah who quietly accomplished God’s purpose (Isa. 42:14). This Messiah would suffer greatly and even die at the hands of wicked people (53:7-9). He would suffer in place of God’s people and for their sins (vv. 4-6). Unfortunately, in a day of Roman oppression, many Israelites probably preferred to cling to the hope of a coming reigning king who would overthrow Rome. Therefore, it is likely Jesus wanted His disciples to withhold the information about His true identity as Messiah until the appropriate day came to proclaim it. 4

that time. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 99 for an explanation of Jesus’ prediction. Jesus had a precise appointment with death, and He would not die a moment too soon. Although it was not yet time to publicly proclaim Jesus as the Christ, it was important for the disciples to know the truth there and then. The disciples probably believed, as most Jews did, that the Messiah would be a political leader who would free them from the oppressive rule of Rome in some type of military victory. Any political leader might expect opposition and death, but Jesus did not expect just to die; He told the disciples He would be raised again.

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THE POINT

Jesus’ identity is foundational to who I am.

GUIDE: Refer group members to “Key Words” on page 101 (PSG, p. 96) for an explanation of the term Son of Man. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 5 to provide more information on the term Son of Man.

SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 6 to provide information on these terms: • suffer many things • be rejected by the elders, chief priests and scribes • be killed • be raised the third day

DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 99): How would you have felt if you had heard Jesus’ instructions as one of his disciples? (Alternate: When have you felt confused about something God wanted you to do?)

TRANSITION: ”Having foretold His own death, Jesus now spoke to the disciples about the key decision they faced.” 102

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Verse 22. Jesus then began to rehearse for His disciples what events would take place in the coming days. Coming in the wake of Peter’s confession, these words probably seemed out of place and certainly undesirable. Nonetheless, Jesus knew His disciples needed to hear them. 5 Jesus described Himself as the Son of Man. The expression essentially denotes a member of the human race. The prophet Ezekiel used it to describe himself over ninety times in his book (Ezek. 2:1; 3:1; 4:1). However, the prophet Daniel also used the expression to describe a heavenly being who appeared before God to receive a kingdom that would never pass away (Dan. 7:13-14). All the nations of the world would serve and worship that Son of Man! At Jesus’ trial, the high priest asked Jesus if He was the “Son of the Blessed One,” and Jesus responded by affirming He was the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy (Mark 14:6162). The Jewish council did not want to hear what to them seemed a blasphemous response; Jesus was declaring Himself to be God’s Son! They condemned Him to death for His words, even though He spoke words of truth. 6 Jesus told His disciples that He must suffer many things. Again, the prophet Isaiah described the Messiah as one who would suffer much (Isa. 53:4-12). God also calls Jesus’ followers to a life of suffering (John 16:33; Phil. 1:29). The world hates the followers of Jesus because it hates Jesus (John 15:18; 1 John 3:13). Jesus described how He would be rejected by the Jewish leaders. The term elders denotes a group of leaders. The term chief priests designates influential members of the priesthood who served in the temple in Jerusalem. Priests interceded between God and the people. They offered sacrifices on behalf of worshipers to God, and they assured people of God’s forgiveness. The chief priests, however, held an important leadership role in Israel. Many opposed Jesus and eventually helped put Him to death (Mark 14:53-55). Jesus also mentioned rejection by the scribes. These were the keepers of the sacred tradition and some comprised part of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leadership council. They had copied the text over many generations and took great care to ensure its accuracy. However, they did more than ensure the text’s accuracy; they were students of the Scriptures and understood the prevailing interpretations. Jesus publicly denounced the scribes in a scathing indictment during the last week of His earthly ministry (Matt. 23:13-15,23,25). Jesus would do more than suffer; He would be killed.

Jesus later would clarify He would die by crucifixion (20:19). The concept of Jesus’ death was not something the disciples wanted to hear; how could that square with Peter’s confession that Jesus was Messiah? Jesus also shared with His followers that He would be raised the third day. He repeated this to His disciples on other occasions as well (v. 19; Luke 24:6-7). However, the disciples clearly failed to take it to heart. When Jesus was arrested, His disciples ran terrified into the night, unaware that the dawn of the resurrection lay just ahead (Matt. 26:56).

STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 9:23-26 10 minutes READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Luke 9:23-26.

SUMMARIZE: Use Bible

Luke 9:23-26

Commentary 7 on this page and page 104 to reinforce

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me,

that being a follower of Christ

let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

requires a person to:

24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever

1. Deny self.

loses his life because of me will save it.

2. Take up his cross daily.

25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole

3. Follow Jesus.

world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of

Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.

OPTION: Create a “To Do List.” Ask group members to name things they “do” on a daily basis. Call attention to

KEY WORDS: Deny himself (v. 23)—Jesus challenged His followers to lives

verse 23 and note that Jesus

of self-denial in which they laid aside their personal agendas to submit to His.

says to “deny self, take up cross

Following Jesus means taking up our cross daily.

daily, and follow me.” Stress that taking up your cross daily

Verse 23. Jesus had just given His disciples terrible news; He was going to die! The religious leaders would join together and put Him to death! However, Jesus wasn’t finished. He had described what would happen to Him; next, He would describe the life to which He called His followers. 7 Jesus called anyone who wanted to come with Him to radical obedience. In other words, Jesus seeks people who will follow Him wherever He leads them. Jesus elsewhere described His followers as sheep who knew His voice, followed Him wherever He went, and received eternal life (John 10:27-28). Jesus asked anyone who wanted to follow Him to do three things. First, let him deny himself. Jesus called His

and following Jesus is not a simple one-time decision, but it’s a part of a daily discipline of living as followers of Jesus.

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THE POINT

Jesus’ identity is foundational to who I am.

DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 100): What does it look like on a practical level to deny ourselves and take up Jesus’ cross daily?

GUIDE: Refer group to PSG page 101 to remind members that we live in a world that caters to self. According to the world’s standard, each person is in it for himself—and everyone is drowning! • Drowning in broken relationships because he demands that everything centers on him. • Drowning in debt because she has to have it all. • Drowning in illness and disease because he has to eat or experience it all. People work at jobs they hate, to buy stuff they don’t need, to impress people they don’t even like. Jesus calls us to be different.

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followers to a life of self-denial. Believers live such a life by laying aside their personal agendas and priorities so they may fully obey the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever He calls them to do. They find their fulfillment in His fulfillment. Many people today believe their relationship with Jesus is an important part of who they are, but their relationship with Jesus should be more than that. Their relationship with Jesus is to be an all-encompassing relationship. Everything they are and every role they have in life should flow from their relationship with Him. Second, Jesus instructed His would-be followers to take up his cross daily. In other words, following Jesus means a willingness to die. Many interpreters understand Jesus’ words as at least partly figurative. To take up one’s cross means to deny oneself, as in the earlier part of the verse. It means we should be ready to die with respect to our own priorities and agendas. At the same time, church history, even to the present day, is full of people who have willingly paid the ultimate price to follow Jesus. Following Jesus does not guarantee we will die as martyrs, but Jesus wanted His disciples to be aware such a possibility lay ahead. Third, Jesus instructed His would-be disciples to follow Him. He provided no destination and no further details; He only instructed that they follow Him. Indeed, a life that involves following Jesus involves a life of trust. Because we trust Jesus to lead us fully in accordance with His purpose, we are confident to follow Him wherever He leads. In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John described Jesus’ followers who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes” (Rev. 14:4). Today, many people would say, “I believe it is important to include God in my plans.” However, God doesn’t want us to include Him in our plans. He wants to include us in His plan. Once we embrace that fact, we will be better followers. Verse 24. Jesus challenged His disciples to reflect on what truly mattered. The world then, as the world now, offered values conflicting with God’s. Many sought wealth, power, and prestige to find meaning in life, but all of these ultimately would prove dead ends. Jesus said one who sought to save his life through doing such things would lose it. At the end of life, such people would see their aspirations and things they placed value in crumble to dust. Jesus contrasted such people with the individual who loses his life for the sake of following Jesus. Such a person would save it because he or she had aligned with God’s purpose through Jesus.

This present world offers many enticing things. At the same time, Paul assured his readers that we cannot begin to imagine all that God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9). It is the eternal life Jesus offers to which we should aspire, not the temporary pleasures of this world. Verse 25. Jesus then asked a rhetorical question that further clarified what He had just said in verses 23-24. His opening words what does it benefit someone indicate where the question is going. Even if someone gains the whole world, Jesus indicated the person had no real gain, because the one who does so loses or forfeits himself. Jesus was describing someone who failed to gain eternal life because he had placed too great a value in the wrong things. He had discounted the call of Christ to pursue other things he deemed important. In the end, Jesus said, he would lose it all. Jesus challenged His hearers to lay up treasures for themselves in heaven rather than on earth, for doing so revealed the true disposition of their hearts (Matt. 6:19-21). Today as then, the way people live their lives provides the best assessment of what they truly hold dear. How we spend our money is often a good indicator. Verse 26. Jesus recognized that no one could be completely sold out to Him and yet embrace all the world had to offer. Consequently, He pushed His hearers to consider their highest priorities. Whoever found themselves ashamed of Jesus and His words would be in such a state because they woefully underestimated the value of following Jesus. Instead, they placed their confidence in things the world offered them. They felt shame or embarrassment at the mention of Jesus because they could not or would not see the everlasting value of what Jesus had to offer. Jesus described the sad outcome that lay ahead. The Son of Man will be ashamed of all who were ashamed of Him and His words! The expression when he comes in his glory describes Jesus’ second coming, when He returns to gather His people and be with them forever (Matt. 24:31; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). The majesty of that day will be shared by the Father and the holy angels. In the day of Jesus’ appearing, only what we have done for Jesus will matter. Jesus’ words in verses 23-26 tie together what we learn in verses 18-20. Jesus is God’s Son, the Messiah, and knowing who Jesus is is essential to our responding appropriately. Following Jesus means taking up our cross daily. People find different ways to define their lives, but we only have real meaning and purpose when our lives are grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ. We find our identity and purpose in Him.

SAY: ”Our identity is fully grounded in Christ. We must understand who Jesus is, so that we can understand who we are. Then our decision to follow Jesus—and to follow Him daily—changes everything.”

DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 102): How does losing your life for Christ result in saving your life? (Alternate: What does it look like to be ashamed of Jesus?)

DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity on PSG page 102: “Take Up Your Cross Daily.“

OPTION: Invite someone to read the first verse and chorus of the hymn, “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go.” “Take up thy cross and follow me,” I heard my Master say, “I gave My life to ransom thee, surrender your all today.” Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go, I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

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THE POINT

Jesus’ identity is foundational to who I am.

LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes

LIVE IT OUT Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. What will you do with that truth?

>> Acknowledge. Have you come to the place where you GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Jesus’ identity is foundational to who I am.

REVIEW: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 103; see text to the right). Encourage each group member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications.

WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Emphasize that following Jesus means deciding daily to die to self and live for Him.

PRAY: ”Father, help us to have the courage and consistency to choose You each day and to help others follow You also.”

NOTE: Remind members that PSG pages 8-11 are there so that they may keep an ongoing prayer journal of one another’s requests.

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can say Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? If not, what questions do you have that would help you more fully understand who Jesus is. Read the entire Book of Luke to gain understanding of the life of Christ and what He said about Himself.

>> Surrender. Saying yes to Jesus as Lord means saying

no to yourself. Do a self-examination and surrender any areas of selfishness to Him.

>> Share. We are called to tell everyone who Jesus is.

Think of someone you know who needs Jesus. Pray as a group for this person to come to know Jesus, and pray about your part in that process: sharing your testimony, inviting him to church, or asking how you can pray for him.

In Daniel’s vision the empires of history are portrayed under the image of four beasts which arise out of the sea; the last is of a terrible nature and opposed God ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ KEN TOUCHTON

and His people. By the judgment of God the rule of the world is

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS When we come to realize who Jesus is, we turn to Him through repentance and faith. This begins a lifelong journey of exploring our own identity in Him.

taken from the last beast and

Each week, make yourself

given to “one like a son of man,”

available either before or after

who flies with the clouds of

the session to speak privately

heaven to God’s presence.

with anyone in your group who wants to know more

The top of the rock hill on which Jesus was crucified is [believed to be] under the marble slab about one-third up in the photo. Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

a divine figure could fly with the

about becoming a Christian.

clouds of heaven, as God the Lord

See the article, “Leading

“Son of God and Son of man.”

did when he came to the aid of his

Someone to the Greatest

Among Jews of New Testament

people (see Ps. 18:7-15).

Decision of All,“ on page 2 for

times both expressions described

In Old Testament imagery, only

Jesus saw in the figure of “one

the One who bears rule in the

like a son of man” of Daniel 7 a

kingdom of God.

picture of him to whom rule of the

How did “Son of man” in the

world will be given. The “Son of

New Testament come to have a

man” is the man with that destiny.

specialized meaning that relates to

But Jesus went further: the man

a particular man who has a special

appointed to rule in the kingdom

relation to God and man and a

for God is the one appointed to

unique task to perform for both?

bring in the kingdom under God.

Most students of the Bible agree now that one passage above all in the Bible is the front of this specialized use: Daniel 7:13.

guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ.

The excerpt above is from the article “The Son of Man” (Fall 1978), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator.

Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 107