Chapter One
Lesson 1
YOUR DESPERATE NEED
FOR THE CROSS
* * *
A companion study to the introduction and
chapter 1 in Experiencing the Cross
LIFE CHANGE OBJECTIVES
It's our prayer that after you have finished this lesson .
You will begin to open yourself to greater personal ownership and
experience of the cross.
You will grasp more deeply the seriousness of sin-particularly
your own sin.
You will begin to live and speak in ways that will more highly
elevate the name of God because of His sacrifice on your behalf.
DAY 1-A BURDEN TO BE SHARED
When the Lord repeats something, He expects us to sit up and
listen! Consider the following statements from the Son of God:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23).
"He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not
worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:38).
"Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot
be My disciple" (Luke 14:27; see also Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34).
Key Question 1
Begin your study of Christ and His cross by talking to Him for a
minute or two. Invite Him to change your heart and mind so that you
will begin to take ownership of His cross, just as He did so willingly for
you. In the space below, write the essence of what you've asked Him to
do for you.
Going Deeper
1a. Read again the three passages quoted above (Luke 9:23; Matthew
10:38; Luke 14:27). In your own words, what do these statements
say is involved in taking up your cross?
DAY 2-MORE THAN MERE KNOWLEDGE
What does it mean to take up your cross? Throughout this study you'll
discover several truths that help answer that question. And underlying
everything must be an actual experience of the cross.
Key Question 2
As you embark on your study of the cross, what do you
think bearing your cross might cost you?
What are the reasons you want to bear your cross?
Going Deeper
2a. If possible, describe a time when the sacrifice of Jesus became so
real to you that, at least for a time, you lived as a different kind of
person.
DAY 3-MORE THAN MERE HISTORY
Key Question 3
Read Matthew 16:21 and Luke 24:44-46. Why is it significant to you
that Jesus recognized there was no other way to fulfill the Father's plan?
Going Deeper
3a. Read Revelation 13:8 and Titus 1:2. Why is it significant
for you that the cross was God's plan throughout the span
of history and beyond?
DAY 4-THE REASON FOR THE CROSS
Key Question 4
Read Ephesians 2:11-12 and describe in your own words your
prospects apart from the cross of Christ. (Without the cross,
how does God view your eternity?)
Going Deeper
4a. Consider the familiar words of John 3:16. Before reading Experiencing the Cross, what would you have chosen as the one
word that represents the very core of what God is saying in this
verse? Why did you choose that word?
4b. Describe the daily reminders God has provided all around you to
help you understand the seriousness of sin. (See Genesis 3:16-19.)
According to Dr. Blackaby, "the reason we fall short of seeing eternity
as God sees it is that we fail to view sin as God views it."
4c. How serious does God know our sin to be? What was the magnitude
of the price it required? (See 1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9:27-28.)
DAY 5-GOD'S RADICAL TREATMENT OF SIN
Our English word radical comes from the Latinradix, "root." So when Dr. Blackaby says that God
planned "to deal radically with sin," he means that
God's plan was no mere Band-Aid. His remedy went to
the very source from which our individual sins arise.
So consider two scenarios:
Scenario 1: God implements a plan by which He
remedies each sin as you commit it, but leaves you
essentially unchanged.
Scenario 2: God implements a plan by which He
addresses the very root of your sin nature, changing
you from the inside out.
Key Question 5
Why is it important to you that God chose the second of these scenarios?
(See Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:3; Ephesians 4:22-24.)
Going Deeper
5a. Read Hebrews 10:12-17 and describe your eternal prospects after
the cross of the sinless Christ has been applied to your life. Under
the cross, how does God view your eternity?
CONCLUSION-EXPERIENCING THE CROSS
The seriousness of sin applies not only to your life before Christ, but
also to your life in Christ. In Experiencing the Cross, Dr. Blackaby
explains that God implemented His plan of spiritual rebirth "for My
holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever
you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been
profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst;
and the nations shall know that I am the Lord . when I am hallowed
in you before their eyes" (Ezekiel 36:22-23).
Key Question 6: Reflecting on the Cross
Take a few minutes and talk with your Father about your life as you
have been living it. You might pray something similar to Dr. Blackaby's
prayer:
Use the following space to record thoughts that come to mind as
you pray with an open heart before Him.
6a. Take a few minutes more and ask Your Father that question:
"Why did Jesus have to die? Was there no other way?" Pray also,
"Lord, help me understand more deeply and personally that you
did this for me . that it was exactly what I needed."
Use the following space to record your thoughts as you converse
with Him.
Key Question 7: Changed by the Cross
Choose one change you will make this week in your thinking, speech,
or behavior in order to reflect your gratitude for God's sacrifice on your
behalf.
For Meditation and Memorization
In each lesson, we will suggest a key Scripture passage for you to think
about throughout the week. Write it on a card and carry it with you.
Take it out and read it at least twice each day, reflecting on its significance
in your life. This simple process is one way of practicing biblical
meditation.
Allow the truth of the passage to sink deeply into your mind and
heart. After a few days, you'll probably find that you can remember the
specific words. But even if you can't, the essential significance of God's
Word will become more deeply embedded in your thinking.
You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or
gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from
your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
For Further Study and Application
Each lesson in this book will conclude with a selection of additional
Scriptures that you may want to study to strengthen your understanding
and application of the Bible's teaching about the cross.
The necessity of the cross: Luke 24:25-26; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians
15:3.
The seriousness of sin: Matthew 12:30; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians
1:21.
The magnitude of Christ's sacrifice on the cross: Hebrews 7:26; John
1:4.
The impact of the cross in our lives: Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians
2:10.
(Continues.)
