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Mark's life and ministry of Jesus Christ. (Mark 7:1-23) According to Jesus, your inner self is the cause of your sinfulness. Your spirit, your soul, your likes, your loves, your courage, your core and your heart within are sinful. You do wrong things because your heart is at variance with God. You think wrong thoughts because your mind is wrong. You hold wrong attitudes because your heart is wrong. The symptoms of spiritual death are given in verses 21-23, but the source is within every man’s heart. The commands of God are ignored by man Verses 8, 9 and 13 speak of ‘letting go of’, ‘setting aside’ and ‘nullifying’ the commands of God. This can be done by intent, but is more frequently done by neglect, quite unintentionally. Paying lip service to these commands before men may make you appear right in their eyes, but God sees the reality – you are a hypocrite! You and I can test ourselves on just this one commandment from Mark 12:30, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ It is so easy to let go of God’s commands. The demands of men are instilled into men Verse 13 shows us the danger of ‘your tradition that you have handed down’. We believe what we have heard from someone else. We base our opinions on a second-hand God someone told us about. Remember, God holds each individual responsible for what he or she believes. Verse 8 speaks of ‘holding on to the traditions of men’. It is strange how willingly we let go of God’s commands, yet how unwillingly we let go of the traditions of men! Children are often told not to pick up sweets from the floor or the street pavement. The trouble is that children like sweets. It will take a lot to make a child leave one behind. All that glitters is not gold. Do not be content with the fools’ gold of tradition when there is priceless treasure in the word of God. Let us suppose you were designing a wheel. Having put it all together you find that it does not run properly. Seeing a short spoke you take it out hoping to correct the problem, but it still does not run smoothly. Then you see a long spoke so you take it out to adjust it, but that makes no difference either. Before long you could be adjusting all the spokes – but in fact you have missed the real problem. The hub is not in the centre of the wheel. As long as that remains off centre, the wheel will never run true. If you do not have God’s commands at the hub of your life, you can play around with the spokes of good works, theories of God, humanist beliefs, but it will make absolutely no difference. God must be central. Man’s problem is that he likes to be central himself. The remand of mankind by inherent sin There can be no doubting that we are all slaves to sin. We do the bad sooner than we do the good. Sin has deprived the human race of real liberty. We do what sin wants us to do. The source of sin is our hearts (7:15, 19, 21). The signs of sin are obvious (7:21-23). Before you get discouraged, remember Mark 1:15. The good news is that Jesus Christ came to release us. Repentance is a change of heart that leads us to the release of new life. David was a murderer, an adulterer, a deceiver and a liar, but when he confessed his sin, God cleansed him (Psalm 51). There is hope for you and me. Discussion guide for ‘Jesus taught the sinfulness of man’ Bible reading Mark 7:1-23 1. In this conversation with the Pharisees and teachers of the law Jesus focuses on “the commands of God” opposed to “the traditions of men”, Mark 7:8. How can you know one from the other? If you can, give some examples of both. 2. Discuss what a hypocrite is, verse 6. What does Jesus say? 3. If the “symptoms of spiritual death” are listed in verses 20-23, where is the “source” of the disease? See also verses 14-15, and 19. 4. Give examples from church and Christian life where people hold on to traditions of men instead of the clear word of God. What should you do about these? 5. What impact does Mark 1:15 have on all of this? 6. What does this section mean to you in daily life? 7. Do you have questions to pray about and to seek help from a Christian friend over?

Mark's 'Life and Ministry' of Jesus Christ. (Mark 8:31-9:1) Jesus knew that He would suffer. He planned His life to make sure He was in the right place at the right time. He did not enjoy the suffering but He endured it in order to obey His Father’s will. People of every age have tried to explain away the sufferings of Jesus. Their objections range from men writing things after the events, to building a good story, to God making a mistake and under-estimating what man would do. Isaiah prophesied: ‘It was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer’ (53:10). Jesus believed this and did not shrink away from all it entailed. The unfolding of His suffering. In Mark 8:31 Jesus begins to teach His followers what He knows about His sufferings. Isaiah has told us the suffering was planned by God. Leviticus 17:11 explains that the shedding of blood is the provision of God for man’s sin. John 1:29 shows us the purpose of God: ‘The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.’ The events that led up to Jesus’ death were no mistake, but rather a miracle of God attributable to His plan and purpose. The ugliness of His suffering Jesus gradually builds on His teaching about suffering to the disciples (8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34). There was betrayal, as He was let down by those He loved. He was given away by those to whom He had given Himself. There was condemnation. They said He had spoken against God, when in fact He was God speaking. They said He deserved to die, when He was the only One present Who deserved to live. Jesus predicted the physical and mental pain; the spoken words used to slash open His heart; the human strength used to lacerate His back. But while they showed contempt and spat on Him, He showed compassion and suffered for them. Jesus spoke of His death. The horrible hanging death of crucifixion was among the worst the barbarous Romans were capable of. The human weight on spiked hands and feet, the excruciating pain of breathing in such a position, the agony of a broken body added to the broken heart. Jesus suffered for the people He loved. The uniqueness of His suffering Of course there were many who suffered such a death at the hands of the Romans, so what makes of death of Jesus so special? Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Mark begins in 1:1 and concludes in 15:39 with references to this truth. God as a man. God in a man. God made flesh and living among us. Jesus Christ was also the Son of Man. He was made like us, tempted like us, in every way human like us, so that He could be our Substitute before God when the time came for judgement on sin. Paul puts in beautifully in 1 Timothy 2:5-6: ‘For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.’ Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between you and God. Jesus Christ is the only One who paid the ransom for you. Jesus Christ is the one and only way for you to come alive in God. The understanding of His suffering Up to this point we have omitted one great fact also predicted: ‘After three days He will rise again’ (8:31; 9:31; 10:34). Death was not the end of Jesus – the grave was not His goal. His goal was glory, but He knew there could be no resurrection without death first. God demonstrated His love for us in Christ’s death. God delivered Him from death and declared Him to be the Son of God with power. The unrepeatable offer In Mark 8:34-37 everyone is urged to come after Jesus to cut loose from the world, to carry their cross (whatever it may be), and to commit everything, for always, to Jesus Christ. Are you with Him or are you against Him? Discussion guide for ‘Jesus taught the sufferings of the Son of Man’ Bible reading Mark 8:31-9:1 1. Why is Isaiah 53:10 (and other Old Testament verses like Psalm 22:1) so significant in the life and death of Jesus? 2. Read, immediately following one another, Mark 1:1; 1:15; 8:31. Why do you think Peter, and the other disciples probably, did not understand nor want to hear this, 8:31? 3. In just ten minutes, read Mark 8:31; 9:12; 9:30-32; 10:32-34; and their fulfilment in Mark 14:43-15:47. As you quietly do this, ask God to show you the meaning and the depth of Jesus’ suffering on the cross. 4. What is the significance of the centurion’s words after witnessing Jesus’ terrible suffering, Mark 15:39? Perhaps the first man into the kingdom of God, through the torn temple veil, was a Gentile soldier! 5. If we were alive then, and heard these grim predictions by Jesus, how should we have known that death was not going to be the end of Jesus? 6. What does the suffering of Jesus mean to you today? 7. Are there things for you to pray about or ask Christian advice over?

Mark's life and ministry of Jesus Christ. (Mark 16:1-8) The word ‘Easter’ comes from the Germanic language, celebrating the feast day of the vernal equinox, when the sun appears vertically over the equator at noon. It is the high point of spring in England, when new life can be seen everywhere. Easter means much more than new life in nature. The Christian church remembers the anniversary of Jesus Christ rising from the dead. At Easter we remember that God loves the world and gave Jesus Christ to be sin bearer for mankind. We recall that Jesus was crucified, then buried, but we also rejoice in that He has risen again. The message is in a little acrostic I sometimes use with the children: Everyone Admitted Sin Terminated Evidence – Resurrection. Mark gives us some evidence that could have been authenticated by people living at the time his gospel was first read. There was a locked tomb with a large stone outside (15:46; 16:4). Jesus did die and evidence is offered by Mark from a Roman guard, a centurion, Pilate and Joseph of Arimathea. Three women wanted to make sure Jesus had a proper embalming before final burial, and having prepared the spices they walked towards the tomb at sunrise on that first Easter day asking the question: ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance to the tomb?’ (16:3). What the women saw In verses 4-6 Mary, another Mary and Salome saw the stone rolled away. There was now a way into the tomb for them. They could discover the resurrection because the large stone had been moved. They also heard the angel speaking. They were naturally alarmed, but their fear was mixed with faith. These were mysterious happenings which at the same time were miraculous happenings. They saw the empty tomb. They could have been so attracted to the angel that they would never turn to see the empty tomb. They could have missed the major miracle for a minor one! They were seeking Jesus in the wrong place. The angel asked them a searching question (Luke 24:5). What the angel said See the specific evidence in verse 6. ‘Jesus the Nazarene’ – there was no mistaken identity. ‘Who was crucified’ – as everyone around there knew at that time. ‘He has risen’ – the angel stated a fact. Jesus had shared it earlier in faith, but the women still had great fear. It is much easier to hold on to fear than to simply believe the facts. Faith is the key that unlocks our understanding of the resurrection. How the people responded All four gospels give accounts of the transformation in the apostles’ lives from the time it dawned on them that Jesus was alive. No more did they cower in a corner of the upper room, but instead they powerfully preached in the market square. No more did they doubt and fear man – they were dedicated to fearing God. Some people were born again. They were transformed. Some were commissioned, sent out by Jesus to share the good news with everyone – going wherever they were sent. Some were condemned by men, but they were to receive commendation from God. Those who rejected the salvation and the Saviour they offered condemned themselves to an eternity outside of God and His love. Verse 15 spells out our commission today. Easter began a movement, a method and a ministry that still goes on today. Are you in it or are you out of it? Discussion guide for ‘Jesus taught the resurrection’ Bible reading Mark 16:1-8 1. How many times has Mark already reminded his readers that Jesus would rise again from the dead? Can you find at least three. 2. Name as many people – or groups of people – that Mark cites as witnessing Jesus’ death and burial? See Mark 15:33-16:3. Most, if not all, would have lived to dispute Mark’s writing if it were not true. 3. What are the four facts about Jesus that the angel shared with the women by the empty tomb, Mark 16:6? 4. Imagine you were with the three women walking to – then staying by – the tomb of Jesus. How would your feelings change? Why? When? 5. What does Mark 16:15 say to you? What are you going to do about it? (Even if it is not in all Bible editions, the meaning is still clear in Matthew 28:19-20, over which there is no dispute). 6. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you today? 7. Do you have any questions to pray over and to ask more experienced Christians about?

Mark's life and ministry of Jesus Christ. (Mark 13:1-37) Verse 31 speaks of the permanence of Jesus Christ compared with the passing nature of this world. He is the constant foundation in all change; a reliable friend Who knows the future of a world that longs to know it. Jesus spoke freely about the end of the world. He said certain things must happen before the climax, and in verse 26, says: ‘Men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.’ He did not tell us everything about the future, but everything we need to know. Some things He foretold have already been fulfilled and there are others awaiting fulfilment. In all of this there is one closely guarded secret: ‘No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come’ (Mark 13:32-33). Jesus foretold some things that have already been fulfilled The building of Herod’s temple had begun about fifty years before this time, and was not quite finished when Jesus spoke. It was destroyed in AD 70 (13:2). The desolation of the city of Jerusalem (vv.14-20) was swift to follow. Titus starved the city to surrender while Jewish factions fought each other inside. Only those who fled to the hills were saved. Some of the disciples lived to see the events take place (v.30). Jesus foretold some things that are happening now Many are being deceived by false religions (vv. 5-6, 21-22). Not all that claims to be Christian is truly Christian. All that is miraculous is not from God. Satan’s cunning that deceived mankind in the Garden of Eden is still deceiving many today. Do not be deceived, be discerning. Disasters on a national and international scale can be read about in the daily newspapers and in Mark 13. ‘Do not be alarmed,’ Jesus says. A war or an earthquake is not the end of the world, unless you live only for material things. Things we take for granted may be taken away (vv.24-25), but that is not the end of the world for the one whose eyes are on heaven. There will be division in the world between God’s people and others. Verses 9-13 speak of Christians being hauled before Jewish and Roman courts. Jesus never left His followers in any doubt that they would suffer persecution. The early church prayed for strength to bear pain and persecution, not for a trouble free life. Many die each year for their faith in Jesus Christ, yet Christians are still willing to live as Christians because they do not live for the immediate, they live for the ultimate. Jesus foretold some things that are yet to be fulfilled We can look forward to the coming of the Son of Man (vv.26-27). Jesus will come with great power that will eclipse everything else happening on the earth. He will come in glory that will be joyful for those who see their Saviour, and sorrowful for those who see their Judge. He will gather His elect, and those who are His from all over the world will be together with Him. In view of Jesus’ imminent return we must wait (vs33) because we must be ready any time we must work (v.34), because we have a task assigned by our Master we must watch (v.33) because we must be ready at any time. we must wait (vv.35, 37) because that time is in God’s hand. Be awake, be alert, be alive, be active in worship and in witness. Today’s events point to the end of time and the return of our Lord. May Jesus Christ mean everything to you now and always. Discussion guide for ‘Jesus taught the coming of the Son of Man’ Bible reading Mark 13:1-37 1. Describe the permanence of Jesus and His word compared to the transience of the world and human lives, Mark 13:31. 2. Jesus “has not told us everything about the future, but everything we need to know”, (first paragraph above). Discuss your understanding of this phrase and say why you agree or disagree with it. 3. How does Mark 13:32 comment on well-meaning Christians who work out timetables for the Lord’s return? Give an approximate idea of what can and what cannot be known. 4. Share how a vision of heaven can keep a Christian at peace even in the middle of huge human disasters, Mark 13:5-8 and verses 24-26. 5. Say in one sentence, why so many Christians are still willing to live as Christians, even though many die for their Christian faith every year? See Mark 13:9-13. 6. What does the imminent return of Jesus mean to you, in your own life, today? 7. Do you have any items to pray for from this chapter, or questions to discuss with a mature Christian?

The life and ministry of Peter. (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1 16-18; Luke 5:1-11 One of God’s aims in the Bible is to show us Himself: His attributes, attitudes and actions. Another is to show us ourselves. He calls the Bible a mirror in which we see ourselves as we really are and not how we think we are. In the previous section we have spent a while looking at Jesus Christ from Mark’s gospel. Now we will look at Peter. I often see myself in him and I’m sure his life will mirror yours too in many ways. In 1 Peter 3:15 Peter encourages Christians: ‘In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.’ How did he learn to do that? Can we do it in the same way? I believe the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Different details of the early encounters between Jesus and Peter are given in the gospels. This reminds us that God graciously speaks to us more than once. We are so slow in responding to His voice. God will speak to you as you study these stories from Peter. Look for confirmation of His voice in your own devotional times. Then act upon what you hear. How can we begin to follow Jesus? Let Jesus come to you where you are (Matthew 4:18) Peter and Andrew were fishermen in the family business at Capernaum. Jesus saw them going about their business as He was walking beside the sea. You do not have to achieve anything before God will meet you. Not one of us is too deep in sin to meet the Saviour. He wants to speak to you about your work life – He is the Master consultant. He wants to speak to you about your family life – He is the Master counsellor. He wants to speak to you about your financial life – He is the Master controller. He wants to speak to you about your personal life – He is the Master personal confidante. Pride stops Him when you say, ‘I do not need any help.’ Preconceived ideas stop Him when you say, ‘He cannot help me.’ Pretence stops Him when you say, ‘He is helping me,’ when He is not and you know it. Let Him come to you, where you are, right now. Listen to Jesus’ call for you to follow (Matthew 4:19) Fish markets and quaysides are not exactly quiet places! The water, the men, the equipment and the sea birds combine to make a cacophony of noise. Yet Peter heard Jesus’ call in the midst of it all. He discerned it from all the clatter and the hubbub and he deliberately tuned in when he heard someone calling from the shore. If he had not done so, his life would have followed a completely different course. Why is it that at Christian meetings God seems to speak to some and not to others? It is because some are tuned in and others are switched off to God’s wavelength. The devil will always feed your doubts. God will never call you to do something against Scripture so you can test your call by the Book. Are you listening to his voice? Leave your old way of life (Matthew 4:20) Peter followed Jesus. Some people follow football. I follow the London team West Ham by looking up their results in the paper and, very occasionally, by going to see them play. The real Hammer followers are those who go and watch them play every game, wherever they are, and however well or badly they are doing. Jesus wants the second type of followers for Himself. He wants men and women to be with Him to watch Him and to work with Him. He wants people to listen to Him, to learn from Him and live for Him. Peter could not follow Jesus without leaving his fishing boat, his friends and his family. He was learning to deny himself daily and follow Jesus. Are you following the majority in this materialistic world or are you following the Master? Learning what God wants to do with your life (Matthew 4:19) The call to follow was accompanied by a challenge to Peter’s faith. ‘Do you believe I can do something great with your life, Peter? I will make you a fisher of men.’ In Peter’s future there would be valleys of defeat and disappointment, but also peaks of ambition and achievement. God has a plan for your life. Jesus says, ‘I will make you …’ Will you let Him make you into what He wants you to be? Remember, the rest of your life is just beginning. Discussion guide for ‘Starting off with Jesus’ Bible reading Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-18; Luke 5:1-11 1. Jesus looked out for Peter and called him to “follow”, Matthew 4:19. Discuss what the word “follow” means? What would Peter have understood by this request of Jesus? 2. Why did Jesus promise to make His disciples into “fishers of men”? Discuss what Peter and the others may have understood by this? 3. Why is “leaving” a necessary part of “following”, verses 20, 22? What happens if a person tries to follow without leaving? 4. If God is calling you to something you don’t feel you can do, what part of Jesus’ call to Peter encourages you to go on, verse 19? Why? 5. Make some time to listen to God by yourself. What do you believe God is calling you to be and to do?

The life and ministry of Peter. (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21) God wants to take you as you are, teach you what He wants and transform you into what is best for your life. He does not want you to be idle, or to be aimless, or to be bored. From Matthew’s gospel let us see what happened to Peter once he was on the way with Jesus. Jesus Christ purposed the events of his life It says in verse 22: ‘Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him’ (italics mine). The disciples learned by watching Jesus feed a huge crowd from a boy’s picnic lunch. We can watch Jesus as we read the gospel narratives. They also learned as they listened to what Jesus said. He was teaching them about their new way of life. He gave them special understanding (13:11). Jesus wants us to learn by obeying the commands He gives us. He told the disciples to leave the place of the miracle and to sail across the south-eastern end of the lake. All the events that followed happened because the disciples listened. If they had not listened they would have been destroyed by disobedience. A disciple is one who disciplines himself to doing what he is told to do. Three-and-a-half miles out on the lake, buffeted by wind and waves, the only security the disciples had was that they had been sent there by Jesus! The disciples supposed Jesus was a ghost (14:26) When the Creator God suspends His own laws of creation, the result is a miracle. Peter and the others may have been buffeted by the wind, but they were terrified when they saw Jesus walk on the water. Their suppositions were wrong. There was confusion. Is this Jesus or a ghost? Is this a miracle or a mystical trick? Am I kidding myself? Can I really see anything? Many people experience confusion around their Christianity. Do not worry. Seek to hear Jesus’ voice. There was a call from the lips of Jesus (v.27). There can be no missing a clear call and there should be no messing about in response. Peter had an invitation. Jesus said, ‘Come.’ The implication of that was: ‘Do you have the faith to come, Peter?’ An immediate response was called for and good old Peter jumped over the side! See Peter’s faith – he was forgetting human logic and reason, and fixing his objective on getting to Jesus Christ. Peter opposed his natural law and feelings From inside the boat he saw Jesus. From outside the boat he saw the wind and the waves. The wind and the waves were there before, but somehow they took on a new dimension when he found himself alone and facing them. Because of his fear, and his foolishness in taking his eyes off the Lord, Peter found himself drowning, but he knew where to go in time of trouble – he cried to the Lord. I reckon the fish jumped in fear at that desperate shout! Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter. Do not worry, young Christian, Jesus Christ will always rescue the disciple who is stepping out for Him. He never leaves us alone. We are never beyond His reach. I once remember struggling to hold a heavy box of groceries in a lift going up to our apartment. Eventually I dropped them but the strange thing was that they still kept on going up to the eighth floor where we lived. Although I could not hold them, something much bigger than me was taking them and me to our destination. Jesus is greater than any lift! Jesus Christ purposed a lesson of faith (v.31) Jesus asked the disciples why they doubted. Peter knew the circumstances; he knew himself; he knew the Saviour, but through this experience he came to know all three better. Verse 33 says that he and the others worshipped Jesus saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’ Are you born again? Are you beginning your Christian walk or are you still sitting at the start? Are you battling for Jesus? Discussion guide for ‘Stepping out with Jesus’ Bible reading Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21 1. Following Jesus is not always easy or comfortable. Having just witnessed a wonderful miracle, Matthew 14:19-21, how do you think the disciples felt in their boat on the lake, verse22-24? 2. What reasons can you think of for Peter not getting out of the boat? 3. What helped him take the plunge (if you’ll pardon the expression) and step over the side, verses 27-29? 4. What sometimes stops you from taking a step of faith in following Jesus? Share your experiences. How can this be overcome? 5. The experiences of being afraid, taking a step of faith, and then faltering, all taught the disciples valuable lessons. What do you think they learned? Pay some attention to verse 33. 6. Make some time to listen to God by yourself. What do you believe God is calling you to be and to do? What is stopping you?

The life and ministry of Peter. (Matthew 16:13-20) Stepping out of a boat into the open sea was not the last lesson Peter had to learn in following Jesus. Having been privileged to see Jesus walk on the water he was then privileged to be criticised (15:1-2). All true Christians will be criticised. If God criticises you, listen. If man criticises you, let it go by. Jesus had warned the disciples of the danger of hypocrisy (15:8-9), the danger of sign-seeking (16:1, 4), and the danger of legalistic teaching (16:5, 12). Peter was probably present when Jesus warned of all these things. He was young in years and young in faith. He was bold and belligerent, and had yet to learn the difference between faith and foolishness. Gradually it was dawning on Peter who Jesus really was. There was a possibility that Jesus was the Christ. Imagine Peter’s surprise, however, when one day Jesus turned to His disciples and asked: ‘Who do you say I am?’ Suddenly he could not keep his thoughts secret any more. The debate must be concluded, a decision must be reached and a declaration must be made. Perhaps you have been backsliding. Perhaps you have put up barriers. Perhaps you are trapped in spiritual babyhood. Whatever your bondage, if you see again who Jesus is and submit to Him in your life, you cannot fail to make spiritual progress. The people’s response to Jesus Christ Three answers were given to the first question Jesus asked. They show the Jewish response to Jesus at the time He lived on earth and they show the wrong ideas people have today. John the Baptist was a man sent from God who preached repentance. He was a great man whose life was ended by a drunkard’s folly. Some of the people who had known John were saying that Jesus was John raised to life. Some people think they know Who Jesus is and they relate Him to someone else they know who is good and kind. But He is much more than that. Others said He was Elijah, one of the greatest Jewish prophets. Elijah did not die but was taken into heaven in a chariot of fire. He was expected to return one day. Some people were likening Jesus to this great man they had heard about. They were wrong. Still others said He was Jeremiah or another prophet. The Jews had great respect for all of their ancestral prophets and they wanted to put Jesus in that same category. But Jesus is much more than like someone we know; much more than like someone we read about; much more than just someone we should respect. The popular responses to Jesus Christ today Some reckon Jesus to be fictitious. But history has changed because of Him and people are being changed because of Him. It probably takes more faith to believe He is fictitious than it does to believe He is factual! Denial of the truth never alters the truth. People may say they are not fat, but if in fact they are fat, what difference does it make what they say? Others take Jesus to be a fake. There are people in every age who claim to be Jesus Christ. The real Jesus was put to death on Calvary’s cross because He claimed to be the Son of God (Matthew 26:63). For anyone else that charge would have been true, but not for Him. Others say Jesus is a fad. With film stars and presidents and pop-stars claiming to be born again, people claim that Jesus is the latest commercial enterprise. Like a fashionable dress He can be worn today but discarded tomorrow. Another group take Jesus to be a fanatic. He went too far. He was too radical. He was possessed by an irrational enthusiasm for God. Rather than face up to facts many people foolishly dismiss Jesus. They are misinformed, mistaken and, in some cases, misled. Your personal response to Jesus Christ In Matthew 16:15 Jesus makes the question personal: ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ His doubts were past. He made his declaration: the sovereign, living, almighty, all powerful, all supreme God; the Son, beloved and well-pleasing to the Father; the Saviour, the Christ, the Messiah, the One wWho had come to save His people from their sin. As you make up your mind Who Jesus really is, you must repent of any wrong ideas you have had. You must realise the greatness of God’s Son. He will not reject you if you reject this world. You must respond in simple faith to Him and release your life to Him. Discussion guide for ‘Seeing who Jesus is’ Bible reading Matthew 16:13-20 1. In Matthew 14:33 the disciples “worship Him (Jesus) saying, “Truly You are the Son of God””. Why, then, does Jesus ask in 16:15, “Who do you say I am?” 2. How does your recognition of Jesus grow as the weeks pass? Why? 3. When and how does God “reveal” truth about Jesus to us? 4. Is it all at once? Why? Why not? Be as practical as you can be. 5. Make some time to listen to God by yourself. What do you believe God is calling you to be and to do?

The life and ministry of Peter. (Matthew 16:21-28) It is so easy to start to live a Christian life and then to struggle, to slip or to stop after a few days, weeks or even years. This should not surprise anyone because Jesus said it would happen in His kingdom parables of Matthew 13:18-23. Some people would be careless about Christ’s message and quickly lose it (the Sunday night sermon forgotten by Monday morning). Some would be carefree and, after an initial surge of benefit and blessing, do nothing to develop their new life and so it dies. Others are shown as cautious and when it comes to counting the cost of discipleship, they decide it is too much to pay. Their lives remain cluttered with all sorts of other things. Only the conscientious person hears, understands and produces fruit. How can we make sure we are not among those who fall away? Follow the way of God (v.21) No one enjoys suffering. When there is a decision to be made and one path involves suffering while the other does not, few would choose to suffer. Jesus’ path involved Him in suffering. The Christian path will also involve suffering for all who walk along it. Do you suffer ridicule, rebuke and rebuff from the world? Or do you let your Christian life suffer because you refuse to reject the world’s way? The beginning of slipping back comes when we are not willing to go God’s way. For Jesus there were three imperatives: He must suffer, He must be killed and He must be raised again. We like to anticipate the resurrection without the crucifixion. We want proof without pain. This is what causes us to start slipping away from God. Fight the will of man (v.22) Peter actually resisted the will of God because it did not fit in with what he wanted. He overestimated his own ability and he underestimated God’s ability. He assumed God to be making a mistake! There was a confrontation between the Master’s will and man’s will. This always causes the man or woman to slip away from God. Perhaps the Master says to you, ‘Stop that language,’ or, ‘Don’t feed your mind with that TV programme or that magazine,’ or, ‘Will you befriend this person who has no other friends?’ or, ‘Please take on this responsibility each week in teaching these children.’ Every time God challenges you to stop something, or to start something, you have a choice: grow along with Him or go away from Him. There was a contradiction in what Peter said. ‘Never, Lord’ (v.22). To call Jesus ‘Lord’ is to acknowledge He is right in everything and He has rights over everything. You cannot truthfully say He is Lord without showing it. Are there contradictions in your life before God? Flee the wiles of Satan (v.23) Satan can make a man or woman sincere and yet wrong. He can make a man seem to be OK and yet be wrong. He can sidetrack a man into a good thing that is outside of God’s will. He can make man a stumbling block to God’s purposes. Here Jesus shows us that Satan had got hold of this fisherman. Satan can use even people who call Jesus ‘Lord’. He plants into their minds the things of men and not the things of God. All your feelings, all your hunches, all your ideas, must be tried and tested before being either accepted in faith as God’s will, or rejected in faith as Satan’s wiles. If ever you have been caught out by ice when driving a car you will know that there is a right and a wrong way of handling a skid. Handle it correctly by leaving your bakes, steering into, slowing down and you’ll probably be OK. Handle it wrongly and the consequences for yourself and others could be grave. Be careful not to be duped by the devil. Find the will of God (v.24) God’s will for any disciple of Jesus Christ is found in this verse. He had already called Peter, sometime earlier, by the sea of Galilee. Peter had left his nets and followed Him. Now Jesus says, ‘Look Peter, to follow Me is not just an exciting trip, an experience to be talked about, an enjoyable time. It will involve self-denial, suffering and submission to My will. Are you coming?’ Satan may have got Peter this once, but Peter was still on course. Are you? Discussion guide for ‘Slipping back from Jesus’ Bible reading Matthew 16:21-28 1. Peter gave a great testimony one minute, and the next he denied Jesus the right to live and die His own way! Why does “personal suffering” seem to be a stumbling block to people following Jesus, Matthew 16:21-22? 2. How can a Christian keep “in mind the things of God”, rather than the things of men (or even, of Satan), verse 23? Share practical ideas. 3. “Satan can use even people who call Jesus ‘Lord’”. True or false? Why? (See fourth paragraph above). 4. Take time to learn Matthew 16:24-25 off by heart. Say it to your friend, who can test you. Who does this verse apply to? 5. Make some time to listen to God by yourself. What do you believe God is calling you to be and to do? What is stopping you?

The life and ministry of Peter. (Matthew 26:31-35) The time for Jesus’ arrest, trial and sentence had almost arrived. Judas, one of the disciples who had followed Jesus along with Peter and the others, had decided that thirty silver coins were of more value to him than the Saviour Christ. Jesus knew His Father’s will must be done. His disciples were frightened by what He shared with them although He Himself was full of faith. In verse 31 Jesus said: ‘You will all fall away on account of Me.’ He knew they would fall and so, in love, He warned them in order to soften the blow they would inflict on themselves when they did. He did not say: ‘You can no longer be My disciples.’ Nor did He say: ‘I cannot use you any more because of this.’ He knew what the Scripture said (Zechariah 13:7-9) and He quoted it to His disciples. In doing so He showed us all how to win the spiritual struggle and live out our Christian lives. Know the price of being a Christian Two forceful words are used here to describe something of the hardship of living as a real Christian. God says He will ‘strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’. God was going to judge Jesus Christ Who would carry the sin of the world. Jesus never flinched from paying the price. This prophecy of persecution also carries the thought of purpose even within persecution. God was working out His will in the middle of all the trouble and turmoil that was coming to pass. Maybe God is allowing some difficulty to confront you at home or at work so that His work can be furthered. Can you believe that? Know the pride of man (v.33) Peter’s brash remarks that even if everyone else failed he would not, showed that he had wrong thoughts about others, wrong thoughts about himself and wrong thoughts about God’s word. The prediction of God got lost in the presumption of man. If you want to win in the struggle to stay with Jesus, you must learn to see yourself as God sees you. You must continually repent of your sin and return to Jesus Christ. Jeremiah tells us that God searches the heart. A wise person prays that God will show them the results of that search (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Peter knew what he should do. He thought he knew what he would do, but in the event he was wrong. In Luke 22:31, we see that this pride came from Satan. Jesus promised to pray for Peter and to use Peter even after he had fallen and found his way back. Know the promises of Jesus Christ There are three promises in these verses beginning with realism in verse 34. In the battle between God’s will and Peter’s will, God knew the outcome. He knows that our flesh is willing, but He also knows it is weak. Here Jesus promised His resurrection: ‘After I have risen I will go ahead of you into Galilee’ (v.32). He had confidence that He would be there and He also had confidence that His disciples would be there with Him. He promised restoration for them. Their failure would not be the end. He would forgive them. The coming debacle would serve as a discipline. The cursing – although bad - would lead through catastrophe to cleansing and commitment. Jesus promised Peter that on the other side of this experience they would be there together. Are you ready to pay the price? Are you recognising your own pride? Are you relying on His promises? Discussion guide for ‘Struggling to stay with Jesus’ Bible reading Matthew 26:31-35 1. What do you understand by “the price of being a Christian”? Matthew 26:31; Zechariah 13:7. 2. How may Christians pay a price today? Give personal examples if you can. 3. Peter’s pride, and the other disciples’ pride too, is shown in verses 33 and 35. How can we avoid such pride today? 4. Where can we listen intently to the words of Jesus? Often they are mixture of things we want to hear and things we don’t. How can we avoid listening to only the “good” bits? 5. How does careful listening to God’s promises help us through tough circumstances? 6. Make some time to listen to God by yourself. What do you believe God is calling you to be and to do?

The life and ministry of Peter. (John 21:15-24) Peter was heartbroken when he realised he had denied his Lord, and went back to fishing. Following one unsuccessful night a miracle happened when Jesus appeared and gave them the catch of the year. Then, as Peter was humbled before Jesus, the Lord helped him to his life’s purpose. We will see four stages Peter went through on the road to restoration. Peter was humbled in the presence of Jesus Jesus’ questions took Peter back to that night on the Mount of Olives when he had boasted, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’ Jesus was probing Peter. ‘Can I really trust you?’ ‘Do you mean what you say?’ ‘Is your opinion of your own abilities really right?’ Peter was reminded and he was rebuked. It was painful but it was also necessary. There was a lesson that needed to be learned. Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. His failure led to forgiveness. If Peter had never admitted his mistake he would not have been there on the day of Pentecost. His pride was dealt with as a preparation for his future. Peter was led to write about pride later on: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time’ (1 Peter 5:5-6). In his letter he goes on to talk about resisting the devil, because he knew this had led to his own downfall earlier. There are occasions when we need to spend time alone with God and let Him bring us to tears. Peter was hurt by Jesus’ word (v.17) Jesus not only put His finger on the moment of embarrassment in Peter’s life, He kept His finger there wriggling it around! He wanted to make Peter so sensitive in this area that he would never easily go the same way again. Politely, and yet persistently, He kept bringing Peter back to it. Jesus was bringing Peter into a deeper love relationship with Himself. His third question asks for the love that cherishes Him above all else and shows itself in a consistent walk with the Master. So many serve God with a rush of blood to the head rather than a reasonable balance in their hearts. They serve when they feel like it rather than when faith demands it. You may be hurt if I said to you, ‘Listen, Christian, you’ve got it wrong. You are drifting from God. You are ineffective for God. You are not walking with God.’ You may be hurt, but it may be necessary in order to make you more sensitive to God on these issues. It hurts to dig out even a small splinter from your finger, but God wants to dig the sins from your life to make you useful in His service. The way to be broken in God’s presence is to: admit your need to him, break your heart over it, cleanse your life in Jesus’ blood, deepen your walk with Jesus, enjoy learning to live His way and then follow wherever He leads. Some of the most beautiful views on the coastal path of Cornwall – near where I live - are seen by very few people because they can only be reached by steep climbs along narrow tracks by the cliff edge. How is your view of God? Peter was healed by Jesus’ words (vv.15-17) Following the painful reminder was the promise of restoration. The vision of his own uselessness was the gateway to his usefulness in the Master’s work. The lost sheep was commissioned to become the leading shepherd. The wayward disciple was transformed into the winning disciple. The failure was changed into the faithful. First Peter 5:2-4 shows how much Peter appreciated these words from the Lord Jesus. ‘As a fellow elder … be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care … not because you must, but because you are willing … being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.’ You can be helped by Jesus’ words, but you must first be humbled, even hurt, in his presence. Are you willing for that to happen? Discussion guide for ‘Sorry, then sent by Jesus’ Bible reading John 21:15-24 1. After Peter had denied the Lord Jesus, who “arranged” that they should meet again, after Jesus’ resurrection, John 21:4-7? Does this give you any comfort when you fail to follow Jesus properly? Why? 2. Explain how you think Peter learned the truth about his pride. Refer to Matthew 26:33; John 21:15-19; 1 Peter 5:5-6. 3. Why did Jesus “hurt” Peter by what He said to him, John 21:17? 4. What is God gently pointing out in your own life, that stops you being a really useful servant to Him? Are you prepared to pay the cost of following Jesus? 5. Make some time to listen to God by yourself. What do you believe God is calling you to be and to do?

The life and ministry of Peter. Acts 2:14-21 Peter was encouraged to express his love for Christ, to exercise care for God’s people and to emulate his Master, even unto death. The same man who had denied the Lord was now dedicated to the work of the gospel. Jesus had promised ‘power’ to his disciples and on this day of Pentecost they were all ‘filled’ and ‘enabled’ by the Holy Spirit. Verse 11 says: ‘We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues.’ It was unrehearsed, a spontaneous gathering because of what they had experienced. It was understandable as a miraculous interpretation was given to all of the people. It was uninhibited. The disciples took a courageous step into the market-place and Peter was leading the way. The first evidence that the Holy Spirit was upon them was that they witnessed boldly. His power was heard in their preaching. How should you and I speak out for Jesus? Peter spoke in a public place A crowd had gathered outside that house in Jerusalem and Peter spoke to them where they were. He was not on his own. He was with the eleven other apostles and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The right place to speak about Jesus is any place. The right time to speak about Jesus is any time. The Holy Spirit gives you the liberty. In Acts 16:6 Paul and his friends were not allowed to preach in the province of Asia. It was right to speak God’s word. It was right that the Asians should hear it, but at that particular time and situation it was not right in the plan of God. Jesus called Peter to be a fisher of men. There is no point in setting up rod and tackle in a bath expecting to catch fish! A fisherman goes where the fish are. If you watch seagulls they will tell you where the fish are. Let God show you who you should reach. Maybe tomorrow over coffee with a colleague or when a phone call comes from a friend. Maybe while you wait in a queue at the bank or the post office, or perhaps when your child asks you a question. Will you speak out then for Jesus Christ? Peter spoke from the Scripture and from the circumstances (vv.15-17) He began with what people could see and hear. He began with something they could identify with. Therefore his witness was immediately relevant. From where they were he took them straight to Scripture. Conversion is always preceded by conviction of sin which is the Holy Spirit’s job and not ours. He cuts through pretence and bravado. We discover what He has been doing as we speak out boldly for Jesus. Peter spoke about Jesus Christ Immediately he had the attention of the crowd he took them to Jesus Christ. He spoke of the Jesus they had heard about, then went on to speak of God’s view of Jesus. If someone needed to get to a hospital and asked you for directions, you would not suggest that they spend a few days in the grounds before entering in case they are shocked by the pain inside! Delay could be dangerous and so you would deliberately direct folk the right way. Talk about Jesus as soon as you can. He is the one Mediator between your friend and God. He is the One Who bore their sin on the cross. Peter spoke persuasively (vv.37-40) A fisherman uses a hook or a net. There is no point in dangling worms and flies on nylon lines with no hooks – unless you want fat fish! Jesus Christ wants you to bring in the net, to encourage, to invite, to persuade people to follow Him. While you do that He works with you by His Holy Spirit. Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. Lois brought her grandson, Timothy, to the faith. Philip led a stranger from another land to the Lord. Paul said: ‘Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men’ (2 Corinthians 5:11). Do you? Why not? Peter spoke in the power of the Holy Spirit (vv.37-39) The fact that men were cut to the heart was no evidence that Peter was a preacher. It was evidence that the God the Holy Spirit was at work. The personal witness, like the preacher, must trust God for His Holy Spirit’s work. He will speak as you stumble and stammer words of witness. People will not refuse Him because of you. Will you speak out? Discussion guide for ‘Speaking out for Jesus’ Bible reading Acts 2:14-41 1. We know Jesus called Peter to follow at least four times, Matthew 4:19; Luke 9:23; John 21:19, 22. Briefly describe how he was following Jesus in Acts 1:1-2:13. 2. What made Peter a spiritually persuasive preacher in Acts 2:14-41? Would the same things be true for us in our Christian witness? Why? Why not? 3. What was the main focus of Peter’s message to the crowd? Was it the coming of the Holy Spirit? Or was it Jesus, His life, death and resurrection? Why do you think this was the focus? 4. Can you find at least six things God did with His son Jesus, in Peter’s sermon? Share what they are. 5. Make some time to listen to God by yourself. What do you believe God is calling you to be and to do?

written by Colin Salter unless indicated otherwise. Contents: Bible characters 1. Hezekiah - a young man who tried to please God 2. Zephaniah reveals the terrifying and terrific God 3. The impact our Lord Jesus Christ had on Peter Christian leadership 4. Foundations for Christian leadership - Mufid Farid 5. Good leadership - Elisama Daniel 6.Building an effective visionary generation - George Tabaan 7. Women next to leadership - Mama Brenda Salter Christian leader's own Christian life 8. The pastor's own Christian life - Israel Adeldong Daily Christian discipleship 9. How Christians should give to the Lord 10. Giving secretly to the poor and needy 11. Responding to those who treat you badly 12. Look for God in your situation 13.The challenges of walking as a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ 14. Christians do work as their worship 15. Always some anniversary time 16. Giving true respect to Mum and Dad Everybody living happily together 17. Celebrating South Sudan's tribal diversity - Manase Woja Alfred 18. Thanksgiving to God - Simon Kuengbuny Pal 19. God knows the future and keeps His promises - Joseph Noel Sati Prayer 20. Intercessory prayer - George Tabaan 21. Giving joyful thanks to God, no matter what is happening 22. When God's answer is not what you wanted 23. Who knows you are fasting? Theology of the Lord Jesus and our salvation 24. Jesus - the God Who lived among us 25. The only One innocent suffered in substitution for all of us who were guilty 26. The damnation of God by God 27. An invitation to enjoy the Kingdom of God Twenty-first century issues 28. Life without ethics: the root cause of Sudanese folk's suffering and miserable situation - Matta Mubarak D. Komi 29. Land grabbing, old and new - Alex Bolek Abuk 30. A sleepless politician and his old files - Alex Bolek Abuk 31. Consequences of climate change for sub-Saharan Africa - Anthony Poggo 32. Media: keeping your mind pure - Anthony Poggo 33. Time management - Anthony Poggo freely download this whole book here.