Introduction: Recognizing Who Jesus Is
In Luke 9:18-27, Jesus asks His disciples an important question: “Who do the crowds say I am?” and more personally, “Who do you say I am?” This passage shows us the importance of recognizing who Jesus truly is and understanding what it means to follow Him. Jesus not only clarifies His identity as the Messiah but also tells His disciples about His upcoming death and the cost of discipleship. This passage challenges us to think about how we see Jesus and how we respond to Him, as well as what it truly means to follow Him.
For teenagers, it’s important to consider who Jesus is to you personally. Is He just a historical figure, or is He the Savior and Lord of your life? This lesson helps us understand that following Jesus requires sacrifice, but it also brings purpose, joy, and eternal life. We are called to recognize His identity and make a decision to follow Him with our whole hearts.
Bible Reading 1: Luke 9:18-20
“Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter replied, ‘God’s Messiah.’”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- The crowds’ mixed opinions: Jesus first asks His disciples about the crowds’ opinion of Him. Some thought He was John the Baptist or Elijah, others believed He was one of the prophets of old. This reflects how people often have different opinions about who Jesus is. Many today still question His identity, but as Christians, we are called to know Him as the Messiah—the Savior and King of the world.
- Peter’s declaration: Peter boldly declares that Jesus is the Messiah. This moment is significant because Peter recognizes that Jesus is more than just a prophet—He is the promised Savior. This teaches us that recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is the foundation of our faith. We are called to make that declaration in our own hearts and lives.
- Personal recognition of Jesus: Jesus’ question to His disciples is one we all must answer: “Who do you say I am?” It’s not enough to just know what others think about Jesus; we need to recognize Him for ourselves and understand His role in our lives. This is the foundation of our relationship with Him.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think people had such different opinions about who Jesus was? What does this show us about how people view Him today?
- Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah. How do you personally see Jesus? Who do you say He is?
- What difference does it make in your life to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Savior? How does this change the way you live?
Bible Reading 2: Luke 9:21-22
“Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.’”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Jesus’ secret about His identity: After Peter’s declaration, Jesus tells His disciples not to share that He is the Messiah just yet. This is because the full understanding of His mission, which includes suffering and death, would only make sense later on. Jesus knew the disciples were still processing what it truly meant for Him to be the Messiah.
- The suffering of the Messiah: Jesus reveals the shocking truth to His disciples—that the Messiah must suffer, be rejected, and die. This was not the kind of Messiah the Jews expected, and it was hard for the disciples to understand at that moment. Jesus’ death was essential for our salvation, and through it, He would conquer sin and death. This shows us that true greatness in God’s Kingdom often looks different from the world’s expectations.
- Jesus’ resurrection: Even as Jesus speaks of His death, He also promises His resurrection. This is the hope of the Christian faith—that Jesus died for our sins, but He rose again, offering us eternal life. Understanding both the death and resurrection of Jesus is essential to understanding who He is and what He came to do for us.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus wanted to keep His identity as the Messiah secret for a time? How did the disciples react to hearing about His suffering?
- What do you think it means that Jesus must suffer, be rejected, and die? How does His death impact our relationship with God?
- Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important in the story of salvation? How does knowing Jesus rose from the dead give us hope?
Bible Reading 3: Luke 9:23-25
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?’”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Taking up our cross: Jesus teaches that being His disciple requires self-denial and taking up our cross daily. The cross was a symbol of suffering, and Jesus is telling us that following Him involves sacrifice. This doesn’t mean physical crucifixion for us, but it does mean that we may have to give up our own desires, comforts, or even relationships for the sake of following Jesus.
- Gaining life through sacrifice: Jesus flips the world’s idea of success on its head. He says that those who try to “save” their lives by living for themselves will lose their true life, but those who are willing to sacrifice for Him will find true life. This shows us that true fulfillment and purpose come from following Jesus, not from chasing after worldly goals.
- The value of our soul: Jesus asks, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” This teaches us that material wealth and success are meaningless if we lose our relationship with God. Our souls are the most valuable thing we have, and we must prioritize our relationship with Jesus over everything else.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to take up your cross daily? How can we live this out in our daily lives?
- Why does Jesus say that those who try to save their lives will lose them, but those who sacrifice for Him will find true life?
- What does it mean to gain the whole world but lose your soul? What are some examples of this in today’s culture?
Bible Reading 4: Luke 9:26-27
“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- The cost of discipleship: Jesus warns that if we are ashamed of Him and His words, He will be ashamed of us when He returns in glory. This is a strong challenge for us to live boldly for Jesus and not be ashamed to stand up for Him, even when it’s difficult or unpopular. Our faith is not meant to be kept secret; it should be something we proudly live out.
- The return of Jesus: Jesus is also pointing forward to His second coming, when He will return in glory. This reminds us that our lives on earth are not the end of the story. Jesus will return, and we will be judged according to how we have lived and whether we have followed Him faithfully.
- Seeing the Kingdom of God: Jesus says that some of His disciples will not taste death before seeing the Kingdom of God. This points to the transfiguration (which follows in the next verses), where Jesus reveals His glory to a few of His disciples. It reminds us that God’s Kingdom is already at work in the world, and we get to be a part of it now.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to be ashamed of Jesus and His words? How can we avoid this in our daily lives?
- Why is it important to live boldly for Jesus, even when it’s difficult or unpopular?
- What does it mean to be part of God’s Kingdom, and how can we experience it now while waiting for Jesus’ return?
Youth Group Game: “The Discipleship Challenge”
Objective: To practice what it means to follow Jesus with boldness and faith.
Materials Needed: Index cards with different “discipleship challenges” written on them (e.g., “Stand up for what’s right even when your friends don’t agree,” “Share the gospel with someone this week,” “Serve someone in need without expecting anything in return”).
Instructions:
- Each participant draws a card with a discipleship challenge on it and shares how they can carry it out in their daily life.
- Encourage everyone to take on their challenge during the week and come back to share their experiences.
Discussion After the Game:
- How did it feel to take on a discipleship challenge? What challenges did you face?
- Why is it important to live out our faith in bold, practical ways?
- How can we continue to be bold in sharing our faith and following Jesus in our daily lives?
Closing Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You and for showing us what true discipleship looks like. Help us to live boldly for You, not being ashamed of Your message, but sharing it with others through our words and actions. Give us the courage to take up our cross daily and follow You wherever You lead. In Your name, Amen.”