“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

Mark 8:34

What does it mean to gain the world and lose your soul? Keith Cating unpacks three key implications of Jesus’ call to true discipleship:

1. Denying ourselves means not prioritizing our desires above all else. We must look at the world from Christ’s perspective, not just our own.
2. Following Jesus often requires moving out of our comfort zones. Are we willing to follow Him even when it’s uncomfortable?
3. Jesus calls us to actively participate in His mission of making disciples, not just passively observe.

Questions for Further Study

1. What areas of your life are hardest to surrender to Christ? What might it look like to deny yourself in those areas?
2. When has following Jesus required you to step out of your comfort zone? What was the result?
3. How can you shift your priorities and perspective to live out the call of Mark 8:34?
4. Who are you currently investing in spiritually, helping continue the discipleship chain? What next steps can you take?