Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

This week, our reading (Matthew 16:21-28) is a sort of “chapter 2” to last week’s “chapter 1”. Where we saw Peter elevated to great status last week, we see him cautioned as imperiling his status this week.

Jesus refers to Peter as “Satan” (Matthew 16:23). Why? What do you know about Satan in the Bible? Can you summarize the role of Satan, and why Jesus’ accusation of Peter is relevant here?

Closely consider the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 16:25. It is scary. It seems too much? Christian, what is it asking of you? What is it teaching you?

Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the authors of The Theological Declaration of Barmen quoted in this week’s Pastor’s Blog, wrote a book titled “The Cost of Discipleship”. It was partly based on Matthew 16:24-26. Have you ever experienced your own discipleship as “costly”? When? How? If not, what do these verses seem to say to you?