Weekly Video Lesson
This week our Sunday School classes continue our study of the life of Christ with a lesson from Matthew 16, Jesus Defines Discipleship. Check out the video lesson and discussion questions from our Children & Family Minister Daniel Sheaffer below:
Video Discussion Q+A
1. Who were people speculating Jesus was? Who did Simon Peter say Jesus really was?
- People thought Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life, or the Old Testament Prophet Elijah, or another prophet. Simon Peter answered Jesus saying that he was the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
2. How did Simon Peter know Jesus’ true identity?
- Simon Peter was able to see Jesus for who he really was because of God revealing it to him. (See Matthew 11:27)
3. How is Jesus going to build his church? What promises does he give to Peter about his church?
- It will be built on the Rock. Ephesians 2:20 says Jesus started building his church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. He promises that the Gates of Hell won’t be able to stand against it. Jesus will give the keys to the kingdom to his apostles, meaning he will give them spiritual authority that is reflected in heaven.
4. Why does Jesus tell his disciples to not tell anyone who he truly is? Isn’t that why he came?
- Jesus tells his disciples to not tell anyone yet because Jesus was teaching his disciples about the cost of being a disciple of Jesus. To follow Jesus means that you must come to him on his terms, not your own.
5. How is Jesus going to fulfill his mission? Why does Jesus have such a harsh comment to Simon Peter?
- Jesus is going to fulfill his mission by going to Jerusalem to be rejected, crucified, buried, and 3 days later be raised from the dead. Jesus calls Peter Satan because Peter is acting like he’s doing what Satan tempted Jesus to do back in Matthew 4, to skip the cross for the crown.
6. How does Jesus call us to follow him? How does that reflect his own journey?
- Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow after him. Jesus obeyed his Father’s will, and denied himself. He took up his cross and carried it to where he would be crucified, died, was buried, and then raised to life. This is the path we must follow initially, and every day as a follower of Jesus. (See Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4-6).