Gospel of Mark Bible Part 47: The Cost of Discipleship [Bible Study]

Bible Study Title: The Cost of Discipleship

Scripture Focus

Mark 8:31–35

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.’ And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, ‘If anyone wishes to follow after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.’”

Introduction

Jesus rebuked Peter because Peter preferred his own will over the will of God. Peter did not want Jesus to suffer or die. Yet the cross was not a tragic detour from God’s plan. It was the plan. By resisting the cross, Peter momentarily placed himself in opposition to God’s redemptive purpose.

Jesus therefore used a startling term. He called Peter “satan.” Not identifying him as the devil, but identifying the role Peter was playing. One who opposes God’s will becomes an adversary of God. To live for self rather than submission is, in the most literal sense, satanic.

Immediately after this rebuke, Jesus widened the scope of the lesson. He summoned not only the disciples, but the entire crowd, and explained what such opposition reveals about the true cost of following Him.

Background and Context

In Mark 8:35, the word translated “life” is the Greek noun ψυχή. This word refers not merely to biological life, nor only to an immaterial soul, but to the whole person as a lived and directed self. It is the inner self, the seat of desire, devotion, and identity.

Jesus is not asking which part of a person is saved. He is asking whether the self will be surrendered at all. From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus called people to follow Him. At the end of His ministry, He sent His apostles to make disciples who obey all that He commanded. Discipleship, therefore, is not listening alone. It is obedience that flows from surrender.

“But become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22

Key Truth 1

A True Disciple of Jesus Must Deny Self

To deny oneself is to reject self rule in favor of God’s will. It means refusing to allow sinful desire, pride, and self righteousness to govern the heart. Denial of self includes the renunciation of fleshly lusts and the death of arrogance and spiritual pride.

This is illustrated by Peter himself later in life.

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

It is also illustrated by Paul, who willingly abandoned all grounds of confidence in himself.

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” Philippians 3:7

Self denial is not self hatred. It is the rejection of self centered authority.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is self righteousness often harder to deny than obvious sinful behavior?

2. In what ways does modern Christianity resist the idea of denying self?

Key Truth 2

A True Disciple of Jesus Takes Up His Cross Daily

Taking up the cross is a voluntary and decisive acceptance of suffering for Christ. It is not symbolic inconvenience. It is the willing endurance of shame, loss, and hardship assigned by God for each believer’s calling.

The apostles embodied this truth visibly.

“For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.” 1 Corinthians 4:9

Paul’s sufferings were not random misfortune. God allowed them to humble him and display divine strength through human weakness.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

This kind of suffering stands in sharp contrast to modern self indulgent portrayals of Christianity. The cross does not promise comfort. It promises conformity to Christ.

Discussion Questions

1. How does Scripture redefine what it means to be blessed?

2. Why do many believers struggle to see suffering as part of discipleship?

   
   

Key Truth 3

A True Disciple of Jesus Follows Him by Hearing His Word and Doing It

Following Jesus means seeking to become like Him, submitting to His authority, and walking in obedience regardless of cost.

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46

Disciples obey the gospel, observe apostolic teaching, and continue growing in grace.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20

This obedience is not legalism. It is the fruit of surrender.

Discussion Questions

1. How does obedience reveal genuine faith?

2. What dangers arise when belief is separated from practice?

   
   

Conclusion

Jesus warned that discipleship must be counted carefully.

“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” Luke 14:28

Many abandon Christ because they never intended to surrender themselves. Scripture repeatedly warns about false conversions and shallow faith. The choice Jesus presents is unavoidable.

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Mark 8:35

One path ends in loss. The other ends in eternal life. In light of eternity, there is only one faithful response.

Application and Reflection

Discipleship demands denial of self, daily submission to the cross, and obedient following. The cost is real, but the reward is eternal. Are you trying to preserve your life, or are you surrendering it to Christ?

“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

Memory Verse

“If anyone wishes to follow after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Mark 8:34

Endnotes

1. R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark, NICNT.

2. William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark.

3. BDAG Greek Lexicon, entry ψυχή.

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