StoneBridge Community Church
Take Up Your Cross
Interim Pastor Neal Nybo
Locations & Times
StoneBridge Community Church
4832 Cochran St, Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
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http://bit.ly/2glYW8EWe don’t like to make commitments today. We have all heard these offers - no contracts, cancel at any time, free trial, free delivery, free returns, and most importantly, no commitment necessary. In this culture, how are we to hear Jesus’ incredibly high call to commitment, that we should “take up our crosses and follow him?” We will talk about that as we look at Mark chapter 8.
1. It’s the greatest choice we can make.
People make life-changing decisions because it's their best option, best opportunity, and best chance to have the life they want.
People make life-changing decisions because it's their best option, best opportunity, and best chance to have the life they want.
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever received an offer so great it was difficult to refuse?
2. How does it feel to be offered something you really want?
3. Is that the kind of feeling you get when you read Jesus’ challenge?
4. What is so great about being able to take up our cross and follow Jesus?
1. Have you ever received an offer so great it was difficult to refuse?
2. How does it feel to be offered something you really want?
3. Is that the kind of feeling you get when you read Jesus’ challenge?
4. What is so great about being able to take up our cross and follow Jesus?
2. We learn on the job.
Those forty-three expedition members were not very good at being expedition members on their first day. Starting the expedition didn’t magically make them skilled mountain men or capable boat handlers. They had to learn. They learned on the job. Every one of them was better at what they were doing a month, six months, into the trip than they were when they started. We are the same way when it comes to living a "crucified life".
Those forty-three expedition members were not very good at being expedition members on their first day. Starting the expedition didn’t magically make them skilled mountain men or capable boat handlers. They had to learn. They learned on the job. Every one of them was better at what they were doing a month, six months, into the trip than they were when they started. We are the same way when it comes to living a "crucified life".
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. How good are you at taking up your cross and following Jesus?
2. Regardless of your last answer, would you say you are better at it today than when you first became a Christian?
3. What are some of the “on the job training” opportunities you have had to take up your cross?
4. What do you think of the idea that this commitment to take up your cross is going to take the rest of your life?
1. How good are you at taking up your cross and following Jesus?
2. Regardless of your last answer, would you say you are better at it today than when you first became a Christian?
3. What are some of the “on the job training” opportunities you have had to take up your cross?
4. What do you think of the idea that this commitment to take up your cross is going to take the rest of your life?
Next step:
Think about one challenge in your life right now. How can you see it as a chance to take up your cross and follow Jesus?
Think about one challenge in your life right now. How can you see it as a chance to take up your cross and follow Jesus?
In just a few weeks, Pastor Neal will launch Part Two of his message series on the Gospel of Mark, titled All Things New. With this new message series, three types of group life will be offered - Growth Groups, Prayer Groups, and At-home Worship. Experience your own spiritual blessing by joining one of these groups either in person* or by Zoom. To sign up or learn more, contact Barbara Waite: (805) 915-7320 or send her an email at bjwaite@roadrunner.com.
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