Lesson 7 of 7 — Discipleship
Cross
The Cross is the foundation of Christianity. This lesson helps you hate sin, love God, and respond to the sacrifice Jesus made for you.
Video teaching coming soon
A short video teaching for this lesson is being prepared. Work through the passages and reflection questions below in the meantime.
Purpose
To hate sin and love God because we appreciate Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross.
Main question
How would you define sacrifice? Who would you die for? Do you truly understand what Jesus endured for you?
Short explanation
The Cross is the foundation of Christianity. Sin hurts both God and us. Jesus was fully God and fully human — He experienced the same feelings and emotions we do. He did not want to die. He chose to die. And in that choice, He bore our sins so we might become the righteousness of God. This lesson walks through the Passion of Christ so we would never treat His sacrifice lightly.
Passage blocks
Matthew 26:36–46
In Gethsemane, Jesus struggled emotionally with what was coming. Prayer enabled Him to bear the Cross. His closest friends fell asleep while He anguished.
Matthew 26:47–56
Jesus' disciples deserted Him. He stopped Peter from defending Him. He could have called twelve legions of angels, but He did not.
Matthew 27:27–44
The events leading up to the crucifixion. Jesus refused the painkiller offered to Him — He chose to feel the full weight of suffering.
Matthew 27:45–56
Jesus was crucified and hung for six hours. At noon, darkness fell. At this moment He bore the sins of the world — and for the first time in eternity, felt separation from the Father.
2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Isaiah 53:4–6
He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Matthew 28:1–10
Jesus is risen! He appears to His disciples and commissions them.
1 Peter 2:21–24
Jesus suffered for each of us individually. We must die to sin and live for righteousness.
Understand
Jesus Chose the Cross
Jesus was not a victim of the Cross. He was a willing sacrifice. He prayed in Gethsemane, submitted to the Father's will, and walked into suffering on purpose — for you.
Three Responses to Jesus
Peter denied Him but repented in godly sorrow and was restored. Judas betrayed Him and fell into worldly sorrow and destruction. Pilate refused to decide — but indecision is itself a decision. Which response is yours?
He Became Sin for Us
On the Cross, Jesus took the sins of the whole world upon Himself. For the first time in eternity, He felt separation from the Father. He endured this so we could be made righteous in Him.
Our Responsibility
Our sins made us responsible for Jesus' death. The right response to the Cross is not guilt but gratitude that leads to repentance — hating sin because of what it cost Him, and living for righteousness because of His great love.
Reflection
Am I more like Peter, Judas, or Pilate in my response to Jesus? What sin am I still holding on to? Do I hate sin because of how it hurt Him? Am I living for righteousness out of gratitude, or am I still living for myself?
Challenge
Take time for honest confession. Identify one sin you have been tolerating and surrender it. Develop a concrete plan for repentance. Live each day in gratitude for the Cross.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the Cross. Thank You for choosing to suffer, to bear my sin, to die in my place. Teach me to hate sin as You hate it. Teach me to love You as You have loved me. Help me respond to Your sacrifice with a life of faithful obedience and genuine repentance. Amen.
You have completed all seven lessons
You have finished the foundation journey. The next step is to connect with a pastor and continue growing in obedience and faith.