Sermon Matthew  16:21-28 Questions                            

1. Understanding Mistakes and Grace:
   • How does Ruth’s story in the baking competition illustrate the concept of grace in our lives?
   • In what ways can our own “salt-for-sugar” moments be used by God to teach us humility and draw us closer to Him?
2. The Necessity of the Cross:
   • What does the sermon suggest about the necessity of Jesus’ suffering and death? How does this align with the biblical narrative?
   • How does understanding the “must” of Jesus’ mission change our perspective on His life and work?
3. Discipleship and Self-Denial:
   • What does it mean to “deny oneself and take up one’s cross” in the context of modern life?
   • How can we apply the principle of self-denial in our daily routines and interactions with others?
4. Human Perspective vs. Divine Purpose:
   • How does Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ prediction of His suffering reflect a common human tendency to resist God’s plans?
   • In what ways do we sometimes prioritize human reasoning over divine wisdom in our own lives?
5. The Cost of Following Christ:
   • What are some practical ways we can reorient our values to align with the call to follow Christ, as described in the sermon?
   • How can we balance the pursuit of earthly responsibilities and pleasures with the call to prioritize our relationship with Christ?
6. Eternal Perspective and Hope:
   • How does the promise of Christ’s return and the final judgment influence our daily decisions and priorities?
   • What role does hope in Christ’s return play in motivating us to live as committed disciples?
7. Cultural vs. Committed Christianity:
   • How can we discern whether we are living as cultural Christians or as committed followers of Christ?
   • What steps can we take to ensure that our faith is marked by earnestness and not just convenience?