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Discussion questions

These questions can be used by you alone, with a friend, or your Faith Group to discuss "Jesus: Who Do You Say I Am?" from Luke 9:18-23, preached January 4, 2026. This is the fifth of five messages in the series "The Questions of Christmas."  

Open your group with a prayer. Use these questions as a guide; select the points you want to discuss.

GETTING STARTED  

Before we dig into what Jesus asked His disciples, and still asks us today, let’s get talking with a few light-hearted, personal questions. These are meant to break the ice and help us reflect on how we form our opinions, what shapes our thinking, and what it means to answer something for ourselves.​

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  1. What’s a time you gave a totally wrong answer in class, or blurted something out and instantly regretted it?

  2. Have you ever been mistaken for someone else, or had someone think you were famous? (What happened? Did you play along?)

  3. If someone only knew you by your internet search history or Netflix queue, how would they describe you? (Serious theologian? Closet rom-com fan? Aspiring chef?)

  4. When you were a kid, who was your hero, and what did you believe about them that turned out to be… less than accurate? (Sports legend? Superhero? Cool neighbor?)

  5. What’s a popular opinion you don’t share, but everyone assumes you do? (Like “I actually don’t like coffee…” or “I’ve never seen Star Wars.”)

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DIGGING DEEPER

Now that we’ve warmed up, let’s dive into what Jesus actually said, and why it matters. These questions walk through the flow of the sermon, helping us better understand the biblical text, the theological themes, and the tension Jesus introduces. Several include companion passages that give richer context or reinforce the message. These aren’t applicational yet, just tools for deeper understanding and discussion.​

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Jesus asks the question (twice)

  1. Read Luke 9:18–20. What stands out about the way Jesus frames His question? Why does He start by asking what others say first?

  2. Compare Luke 9:18 with Mark 8:27–30 and Matthew 16:13–20. What are the similarities and differences in how each Gospel writer records this conversation? What might each be emphasizing? 

  3. Why do you think Jesus doesn’t respond to the crowds’ answers? What might that silence be teaching us about truth and public opinion?

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He turns the question to the disciples

  1. Why do you think the other eleven disciples don’t speak up? What does their silence reveal about the tension of Jesus’ question?

  2. Read John 6:66–69. How does Peter’s confession here echo what he says in Luke 9, and how is it shaped by the moment? What motivates him? 

  3. How would you describe the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him personally? How does this moment in Luke 9 illustrate that distinction?

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Peter’s confession and Jesus’ response

  1. Peter calls Jesus “the Christ of God.” Why is this title significant in Jewish expectation, and how might Peter have understood it at that moment?

  2. Read Isaiah 53:3–6. How does this Old Testament passage challenge the typical Jewish expectation of a victorious Messiah? How does it help explain what Jesus says next? 

  3. Why does Jesus immediately follow Peter’s confession with a prediction of suffering and death (v.22)? How does this reshape what it means for Him to be the Messiah?

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Discipleship as daily response

  1. Look at Luke 9:23. What does it mean to “deny yourself” and “take up your cross daily”? How would Jesus’ original audience have heard that command?

  2. Read Romans 12:1–2. How does Paul describe the daily cost of following Christ? How does it parallel Jesus’ call in Luke 9:23? 

  3. Read 2 Timothy 2:11–13. How does this early church hymn reflect both the suffering and the glory of following Christ? How does it expand our understanding of Luke 9:23? 

 

​LIVING IT OUT

Now it’s time to bring this home. These questions are designed to help you wrestle with how the truths of Luke 9 show up in real life. They’re not about perfect answers, they’re about honest reflection. The goal is to connect Jesus’ question with the kinds of daily decisions, struggles, and conversations we all face.​

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  1. When have you felt the tension between what the crowd says about Jesus and what you personally believe? How do you stay grounded when culture pulls you in a different direction?

  2. What part of following Jesus has been most costly for you? How have you seen Him meet you in that cost?

  3. Think about your work, your family, or your friend group. In what ways does the question “Who do you say I am?” show up in those environments, whether through pressure, opportunity, or silence?

  4. Have you ever hesitated to share the Gospel because you didn’t feel confident, or because you feared being misunderstood? What did you do in that moment?

  5. What does “taking up your cross daily” look like for you this week? Get specific. What’s one situation where you sense God calling you to deny yourself or choose obedience over comfort?

  6. Is there any area of your life where you’ve trusted Jesus as Savior but are still holding back from following Him as Lord? What would it look like to surrender that?

  7. Who in your life might be asking the same question Jesus asked, but doesn’t realize it yet? How could you help them move one step closer to seeing who He really is?

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