Outline

Introduction – What’s hard right now? What’s hard right now because you’ve chosen it?

I. TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
WHAT does it mean to “take up your cross”? WHAT do we learn from this scene in Caesarea?

II. LOOK TO THE CROSS
WHY have Christians always walked towards suffering? What is the theological reason? The practical reason? The motivational reason?

III. LOOK FROM THE CROSS
HOW do you find the courage and strength to take up your Cross and follow? HOW does looking at your circumstances through the lens of the Cross change your perspective?

Discussion Questions:

1 - What’s hard right now? What difference is your faith making?

2 - What’s hard right now because you’ve chosen it? If so, why did you choose it? If not, why not?

3 - Read Acts 14:21-22 together. What are the group’s reactions? How can we make too little of what those verses teach? How can we go too far?

4 - Which is a better strategy: suffering-avoidance or gaining the character to endure suffering? Which strategy have you chosen for your life? What about in your parenting?

5 - What is looking FROM the Cross? How does the Cross change your perspective on the hard things in your life?