Group Discussion Guide
Kingdom of God, Part 5
This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
LOVING
First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
- How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
- What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
- How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
LEARNING
The majority of the group discussion is devoted to open dialogue, reflecting on God’s Word and its personal application to each of our lives (approx. 60-75 min).
Scripture References from Message: Mark 8:27-38
Big Idea from Message: The kingdom of God demands a response: to surrender our lives to following King Jesus or not.
Mark 8 is a turning point in the Gospel. Up to this point, Jesus has been teaching, healing, and revealing the Kingdom of God. But in this passage, He begins to reveal what kind of King He is—and what it will cost to follow Him.
This takes place in Caesarea Philippi, a region full of temples to Roman gods and political power. The question isn’t just theological—it’s a challenge to choose allegiance. Why do you think Jesus presses the disciples with this question now? What do you think Peter understood about that title - the Christ?
Why does Peter rebuke Jesus (what assumptions is he working from)? (Remember that the Jewish people were looking for a messiah, warrior king) Why does Jesus call Peter “Satan”? What does that tell us about the danger of misidentifying Jesus or His mission?
In what ways are we tempted to want a Jesus without a cross? (i.e., comfortable faith, instant results, success over surrender) How do we sometimes try to "help God out" like Peter did, rather than follow in humility?
Jesus shifts the conversation from who He is to what it means to follow Him. The invitation is for anyone, but the terms are non-negotiable. Denial of self. Embrace of suffering. Full surrender. What does self-denial look like in your context—home, work, habits, goals? What does soul-surrender really cost—and what does it give in return?
Scripture References from Message: Mark 8:27-38
Big Idea from Message: The kingdom of God demands a response: to surrender our lives to following King Jesus or not.
Mark 8 is a turning point in the Gospel. Up to this point, Jesus has been teaching, healing, and revealing the Kingdom of God. But in this passage, He begins to reveal what kind of King He is—and what it will cost to follow Him.
This takes place in Caesarea Philippi, a region full of temples to Roman gods and political power. The question isn’t just theological—it’s a challenge to choose allegiance. Why do you think Jesus presses the disciples with this question now? What do you think Peter understood about that title - the Christ?
Why does Peter rebuke Jesus (what assumptions is he working from)? (Remember that the Jewish people were looking for a messiah, warrior king) Why does Jesus call Peter “Satan”? What does that tell us about the danger of misidentifying Jesus or His mission?
In what ways are we tempted to want a Jesus without a cross? (i.e., comfortable faith, instant results, success over surrender) How do we sometimes try to "help God out" like Peter did, rather than follow in humility?
Jesus shifts the conversation from who He is to what it means to follow Him. The invitation is for anyone, but the terms are non-negotiable. Denial of self. Embrace of suffering. Full surrender. What does self-denial look like in your context—home, work, habits, goals? What does soul-surrender really cost—and what does it give in return?
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.
This week, identify one area of your life where you tend to take control instead of follow Jesus—maybe it’s your time, your habits, or your relationships—and choose to surrender it fully to Him. Start each day by praying, “Jesus, You are the Christ—help me follow You, not myself, today.” One way to live that surrender is by leaning into spiritual rhythms like the 35 Days of Preparation; challenge yourself to be more devoted in prayer, scripture reading, and fasting. As opportunities arise, choose obedience over comfort, and if you feel prompted, take a step of faith by inviting someone to Easter (bridgepointfl.com/35days).
This week, identify one area of your life where you tend to take control instead of follow Jesus—maybe it’s your time, your habits, or your relationships—and choose to surrender it fully to Him. Start each day by praying, “Jesus, You are the Christ—help me follow You, not myself, today.” One way to live that surrender is by leaning into spiritual rhythms like the 35 Days of Preparation; challenge yourself to be more devoted in prayer, scripture reading, and fasting. As opportunities arise, choose obedience over comfort, and if you feel prompted, take a step of faith by inviting someone to Easter (bridgepointfl.com/35days).