Verse 1-4: Have you ever wanted something so bad you couldn’t think of anything else? Have you obsessed over something so much you lost focus on what was going on outside your tunnel of focus?

What do you think the Pharisees and Sadducees obsessed about? Do you think Christians can focus on things that look religious but don’t point us any closer to God?

Verse 5-12: What was the subject you struggled with the most in school?

What is it that the disciples failed to pick up on with Jesus’ teaching?

What do you think was compelling about the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Why would people follow them? In what ways can we guard against falling to false teachings?

Verse 13-20: What are some foundational truths that form your world view? What do you believe to be true about humanity, family, government, education, etc.?

How does a world view change when we recognize that Jesus is the savior of the world and that he’s the son of God? Is this a significant truth?

Verse 21-23: Why does Jesus rebuke Peter? Didn’t Peter just want what’s best for Jesus?

What’s the difference between how God defines a win versus how we define a win? What does it say about God that he would send his son to die to save us? How should we respond to that kind of life?

Verse 24-28: What does it mean to deny yourself and take up a cross?

Can you have both the world and God? Do we have to forsake one for the other? What are the dangers of holding on to worldly things? What’s the danger of following Jesus? What do we gain in Christ?