The Cost and Shape of Discipleship - Teacher (Standard) (print)

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Objective: Analyse the relevant text and explain the case that following jesus means self-denial, service, and allegiance shaped by the cross rather than status.

Read: Mark 8:27-38; 10:35-45

Opening: Ask: What does this passage actually say before we explain what it means?

Say:

Jesus connects discipleship to self-denial, taking up the cross, and refusing to treat self-preservation as the highest good.
Jesus contrasts status-seeking with servant leadership and identifies His own mission with serving and giving His life.
Taken together, these passages support the lesson’s big idea: Following Jesus means self-denial, service, and allegiance shaped by the cross rather than status.

Ask:

What does the text directly say?
What conclusion requires synthesis or inference?
What should we avoid overstating?
What is one faithful response?

Do: Complete The Cost and Shape of Discipleship Claim Audit.

Close: Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.

Materials: Bible; The Cost and Shape of Discipleship Claim Audit

Standard outline · 35 minutes

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read selected portions of Mark 8:27-38 and identify direct observations. Ask: What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits. Ask: What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating? What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: The Cost and Shape of Discipleship Claim Audit. Printable: T2-L02-P01-adam-christ-argument-map.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating?

Activity details

The Cost and Shape of Discipleship Claim Audit · 10 min

Materials: Adam / Christ Argument Map; Bible; Pens or pencils

Read Mark 8:27-38 and record two direct observations.
Connect the observations to this big idea: Following Jesus means self-denial, service, and allegiance shaped by the cross rather than status.
Name one faithful response without claiming more than the passage supports.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Closing

Memory verse: Genesis 3:1-24

Prayer: Thank God for what this passage reveals and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: Following Jesus means self-denial, service, and allegiance shaped by the cross rather than status.