Mark 9:1-13
1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did what they pleased to him, as it is written of him.”
Main Idea
WITH JESUS, THERE'S NO GOING BACK
Outline
Discussion Questions
GLORY: SEEING CHRIST FULLY
HE IS THE KING OF GLORY (V1)
1. Jesus promises that some standing there “will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power” (v1). What does this promise reveal about who Jesus is?
2. Why does seeing Jesus as King, and not just a teacher or example, change the way a person lives?
HE IS THE GLORY OF GOD (VV2–8)
3. What do Peter, James, and John see on the mountain (vv2–4), and what do the radiant clothes and the presence of Moses and Elijah say about who Jesus is?
4. The voice says, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him” (v7), and then they see “Jesus only” (v8). Why does it matter that Jesus is left standing alone?
HE IS THE SON OF MAN (VV9–13)
5. Jesus speaks of the Son of Man rising from the dead (v9) and suffering and being treated with contempt (v12). Why are both glory and suffering part of who Jesus is?
6. The disciples were “questioning what this rising from the dead might mean” (v10). Where do you wrestle to understand what Jesus has said?
& GRIT: FOLLOWING CHRIST FAITHFULLY
BELIEVE HIS WORD (V1)
7. Jesus makes a promise before anyone has seen it fulfilled (v1). What makes it hard to believe Jesus's word before seeing results?
8. Where do you need to trust Jesus right now instead of your circumstances?
KNOW HIS WORTH (VV2–8)
9. Peter wants to build three tents and stay on the mountain (v5), but Jesus leads them back down. Why are we tempted to hold on to spiritual highs instead of moving forward?
10. With Jesus, there's no going back. How does seeing Jesus's worth change what we are willing to leave behind?
TRUST HIS WORK (VV9–13)
11. Jesus's path to glory ran through suffering (v12). How does that shape how we respond when following Jesus costs us something?
12. Where does following Jesus faithfully take grit this week?
Looking Forward
Seeing Jesus's glory leaves no room for turning back. What is one thing you are tempted to go back to, and what would it look like to keep following Jesus faithfully this week?
Prayer Focus
Pray for…
• Eyes to see Christ fully as King, as the glory of God, and as the Son of Man
• Faith to believe God’s word and know God’s worth
• Grit to follow Christ faithfully, to trust Jesus even when it costs us