NT260 • Set 8
Discussion & Heart Check Questions
Small group discussion questions and accountability tools designed to help disciples grow in their love for God, grow in community, serve others, and share the gospel.
These questions were created to accompany the NT260 New Testament reading plan, but they can also be used by any small group, discipleship group, family, or individual studying these passages.
This Week’s Big Idea
Jesus is the suffering King who calls His followers to deny themselves, trust Him, serve others, and live under His authority.
As you read, watch how Jesus moves toward the cross, redefines greatness, welcomes the humble, confronts religious hypocrisy, and teaches His disciples what true faith and kingdom life look like.
How to Use These Questions
These questions are a guide, not a script. You do not need to answer every question. The goal is to help your group engage Scripture, encourage one another, and take a clear next step of obedience.
Before meeting, encourage everyone to complete the week’s readings and record at least one observation and one application from the passage using PETS or another preferred Bible study method.
Suggested Small Group Meeting Flow
Use this as a flexible guide for a 1–1.5 hour weekly gathering. Adjust as needed for your group.
Meet up, catch up, and reconnect from the week.
Open in prayer and ask God to use His Word.
Share PETS insights from the week’s readings. Let everyone share briefly.
Discuss selected passage questions. The facilitator should choose a few, not all.
Use a few Heart Check questions for honest accountability and encouragement.
Share prayer requests, praises, and close in prayer.
Leader Tips
- You do not need to answer every question.
- Choose the questions most relevant to your group.
- Focus on application, not just information.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but do not force anyone to share.
- Leave enough time for prayer and honest encouragement.
This Week’s Readings
- Mark 8 — Jesus Feeds, Heals, and Calls His Followers to Take Up Their Cross
- Mark 9 — Jesus Reveals His Glory and Teaches Faith, Humility, and Service
- Mark 10 — Jesus Teaches Kingdom Values, Servant Greatness, and Costly Discipleship
- Mark 11 — Jesus Enters Jerusalem, Cleanses the Temple, and Calls for Faith
- Mark 12 — Jesus Confronts Religious Leaders and Teaches Wholehearted Love
NT260 • Set 8
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Have you ever had to choose between what was comfortable and what was right? What made that choice difficult?
Digging Into the Text
- In Mark 8, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, but then struggles when Jesus speaks about suffering. Why do you think it is easy to want Jesus’ kingdom without Jesus’ cross?
- Jesus says His followers must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. What does that mean in everyday life?
- In Mark 9, the father says, “I believe; help my unbelief.” How does this prayer help us understand real faith?
- Across Mark 9–10, Jesus teaches that greatness looks like humility, service, and welcoming the weak. How does this challenge the world’s view of greatness?
- In Mark 10:45, Jesus says He came “to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” How does this verse summarize His mission?
- In Mark 11–12, Jesus confronts empty religion and calls people to wholehearted love for God and neighbor. What warning or encouragement do you see for your own heart?
Leader Note
This set is a major discipleship section in Mark. Jesus reveals Himself as the Christ, but He also redefines what following Him means. Help your group see that discipleship is not merely admiring Jesus, but trusting His way, denying self, serving others, and living under His authority.
Love God
- What truth about Jesus led you to worship Him this week?
- Where is Jesus calling you to trust Him even when His way includes sacrifice, surrender, or waiting?
- Is there an area where you need to place yourself more fully under Jesus’ authority?
Grow in Community
- Where do you need encouragement from other believers as you follow Jesus?
- How can this group help you resist pride, selfish ambition, or spiritual drift?
- Is there someone you need to forgive, encourage, restore, or serve because of what Jesus teaches in these chapters?
Serve Others
- Jesus says greatness in His kingdom looks like serving. Where is He calling you to serve without needing recognition?
- Who around you may need practical help, compassion, attention, or encouragement this week?
Share the Gospel
- How would you explain to someone that Jesus is both King and the Savior who gave His life as a ransom?
- Who is one person you can intentionally pray for and move toward with the gospel this week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus is the suffering King who calls His followers to deny themselves, trust Him, serve others, and live under His authority.
He calls us away from self-protection, self-promotion, empty religion, and divided hearts. He calls us toward humble faith, servant love, wholehearted devotion, and cross-shaped obedience.
What is one specific step of trust, surrender, service, or obedience Jesus is calling you to take this week?
Small Group Accountability
Weekly Heart Check
How to Use These Questions
These questions are meant to help the group move beyond information and into honest discipleship. Use them with grace, humility, and confidentiality. The goal is not shame, but spiritual growth as we help one another follow Jesus.
Love God
- How has your time in God’s Word been this week?
- What did Jesus teach you about Himself through Mark 8–12?
- Is there any area where Jesus is calling you to deny yourself, surrender, or obey?
- Have you spent intentional time praying, worshiping, and seeking God this week?
Grow in Community
- Have your relationships reflected humility, grace, and servant-hearted love this week?
- Is there anyone you need to forgive, encourage, reconcile with, or pray for?
- Have you been honest with someone about your spiritual struggles, temptations, or burdens?
Serve Others
- How have you used your time, gifts, or resources to serve others this week?
- Is selfishness, comfort, busyness, pride, or fear keeping you from serving where God is leading?
Share the Gospel
- Did you have an opportunity to talk about Jesus this week?
- If so, what happened?
- If not, who is one person you can intentionally pray for and engage this week?
Honest Accountability
- What temptation, fear, pride, habit, or sin has been most difficult this week?
- Is there anything hidden that needs to be brought into the light?
- What is one thing you need prayer for today?
Leader Reminder: The goal is not simply to learn about discipleship but to respond to Jesus with humble faith, servant-hearted love, surrendered obedience, and gospel witness.
Using NT260?
Keep Growing Through the NT260 Discipleship Journal
These discussion questions were designed to accompany NT260 Set 8 readings and help groups move from reading Scripture to discussing, applying, and living it.
If you’re looking for a structured New Testament reading plan that includes Scripture memory, PETS Bible study pages, reflection prompts, and companion study resources, explore the NT260 Discipleship Journal.
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