5. “Lessons in discipleship”                                                                          Mark 6:14-29

                                                                                                                                     (1:4-8)

 

IT COSTS TO FOLLOW JESUS

 

1.  John was uncompromising with sin

 

a) It made no difference who had done wrong (18,20)

            - Note - John’s practice (1:4,5; Matt. 3:7,8)

 

b) There was pressure on him to tone down the message.

     Pharisees and Sadducees, and Herodias (19)

            - Call to repent is all-inclusive: Acts 17:30,31

 

2.  John lived out what he proclaimed

 

a) He was characterised by complete dedication and holiness (Lk. 1:15b; Matt. 11:11a)

 

b) Our message and lifestyle must agree (Matt. 5:16)

 

3.  John was true to Jesus

 

a) From the beginning he put Jesus first (Matt. 3:14; Jn. 3:30)

 

b) He’s true to Jesus, even under pressure (Matt. 11:2-6)

 

4.  John paid the price

 

cf. Rev. 2:10

 

a) John could have pulled back

 

b) Jesus made the principle clear (Mk. 8:34,35)

 

c) We’re all tempted to save our skins - see Jn. 6:66-69

 

TALKING POINTS

 

5.  IT COSTS TO FOLLOW JESUS                                                            Mark 6:14-29

                                                                                                                                  (1:4-8)

 

 

1.  Discuss the pressures you face to tone down your witness.

 

What people or circumstances are there which have this effect on you?

 

What elements of the Christian message are you tempted to soft-pedal?

 

How can these situations be remedied?

 

2.  We don’t wish needlessly to offend people.  But in attempting to avoid offence what elements of the Christian message are we likely to emphasise or ignore?

 

3.  How would you react to the charge: `Christians are hypocrites; loads of talk, but their lives don’t back it up.’?

 

Is the charge justified?  What weaknesses do critics have in mind?  What things would they really like to see in Christian’s lives?  What do you feel would make a positive impact?

 

4.  Look up Luke 1:15b; Matt. 3:7,8; Matt. 11:2-6; 11:11a.

What picture of John the Baptist do you get?

 

Which of his characteristics would you value for yourself?

 

5.  Read Mark 8:34,35 and Rev. 2:10.  Death has often been the ultimate penalty for following Jesus.  In what areas or circumstances is this still so?  Try to research some facts.

 

What use will you put them to?

 

What do these verses say to most of us in western society?