Welcome to Digging Deeper

We’ve launched this weekly blog series designed to help you engage more deeply with Sunday’s message. Whether you’re new to church or have been following Jesus for decades, these discussion questions are meant to help you reflect, apply, and talk through the truths we explore together each week. You can use them on your own, with your family, or in a group setting.

Let’s dig into this week’s message:

Life’s Three Most Important Questions

Mark 8:27-33

Pastor Scott George

February 22, 2026

Introduction

On the road to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked three questions that still shape every life today:

Who do people say I am?
But what about you?
Who do you say I am?

Public opinion had plenty to say about Jesus. But Jesus wasn’t looking for a poll result. He was calling for personal conviction. This week, Pastor Scott explored how different people experienced Jesus in the Gospel of Mark: as Deliverer, Devoted, Sensitive, Bold, Compassionate, and Relatable. Yet the ultimate question remains personal. You can know what others say, but eventually, you must decide for yourself.

Reflecting on the Passage

In Mark 8:27–28, what does the variety of answers reveal about how people perceived Jesus?
Why does Jesus press further with, “But what about you?” What shifts in that moment?
How does Peter’s confession in Mark 8:29 (“You are the Messiah”) align, or clash, with his reaction in verses 31–33?
What does Jesus mean when He says Peter has in mind “human concerns” rather than “the concerns of God”?

Personal Application

Are you relying on what others say about Jesus, or have you formed your own settled conviction?
Have you ever confessed Jesus as Lord but resisted His plan when it involved suffering, sacrifice, or surrender?
What would it look like this week to align your concerns more closely with God’s concerns?

Exploring Faith

Timothy Keller wrote, “Jesus cannot be just liked. His claims make us either kill him or crown him.” Why does Jesus leave no room for neutrality?
C.S. Lewis argued that Jesus must be the Son of God—or something far worse. How does that force a decision about who He truly is?
Pope Benedict XVI said believers must form their own personal conviction about Jesus. What has shaped your conviction?

Community Impact

How might God be calling you to move from admiration of Jesus to full allegiance?
How can we help others see the full picture of who Jesus is, not just one aspect of His character?
In what ways can we reflect Jesus’ compassion, boldness, and devotion in our community?

Closing Thoughts

Many people admired Jesus. Some were amazed by Him. Others misunderstood Him. Peter declared Him Messiah, yet struggled when that meant a cross before a crown. The most important question in your life is not what culture says about Jesus. It’s not even what your family says. It’s what you say. And once you answer that question, the next step is to live like you mean it.

We hope these questions lead you into deeper conversations with God and with others. Join us again next week for more ways to dig deeper into God’s Word and grow in faith together.

Grace and peace,

The Belle Isle Community Church Team