As Jesus-followers, our mission centers around introducing people to Jesus. Unfortunately, one of the big barriers preventing people from believing in Jesus is often Christians. Jesus developed and emphasized in his first followers, characteristics to prevent them blocking people from reaching him. As we join Jesus and his disciples on their walk home, we can also develop these vital qualities. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Read Mark 9:14-50, paying special attention to Jesus’ prediction and teaching in verses 30-37. Imagine you are walking along the road with Jesus and his followers, returning to his home for the last time, and listening to him carefully. 2. What did you hear this weekend that inspired you, challenged you, or sparked disagreement or further consideration? 3. What is the significance of the living example of a child from verses 33-36 and Jesus’ message in verse 37? 4. Jesus had commissioned and empowered the disciples to exorcise demons (Mark 6:7). What causes them to fail to do this in Mark 9? What might it look like for you to depend on yourself rather than depend on Jesus? 5. How did the disciples become roadblocks for people to meet Jesus? How might Christians today prevent people from getting to Jesus? What happens in our hearts and lives that could cause us to keep people away from Jesus? 6. Who could you influence toward Jesus with your life—behavior, attitude, words? Who could you pray for to meet Jesus? What tangible actions could you take to avoid becoming a roadblock to Jesus and to help someone else find their way to Jesus?