Instructions:
Talking through the message during the week helps you and your group turn what God is saying to you into action. It will help you apply what you learned on Sunday to your life this week. Begin with the key questions, add any optional Scriptures and questions if needed, and then decide on your next steps. How will you walk this out in your life this week?

Main Idea:
In this teaching we’ll understand more about the power of a right confession of who Jesus really is in our lives.

Scriptures:

Matthew 16:13-24 (NLT) 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” 20Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 21From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.

Discussion Questions:

1. In looking back on your life, do you remember a time when you sought anonymity so you could be released from accountability? How about now?

2. After understanding the text more, how would you describe your need for true confession of Jesus in your life? How is confession of Jesus different than maybe you’ve thought of it before?

3. From this message, how would you now describe the Lord’s promises and protection? Have you ever tried to define Jesus by who you want Him to be verses getting to know who He really is? If so, how can you change that so that you being a follower is more anchored in who He really is?

Next Step:

Name an area in your life where you’re more a consumer than a follower of Jesus.