Why do you persecute me?

Mark 8:29

Pastor Scott George

March 15, 2026

Introduction

In Mark 8:29, Jesus asks a question that every person must eventually answer: “Who do you say I am?” Pastor Scott explored how people throughout Scripture encountered Jesus and discovered he is the Christ, the Anointed Messiah. Through stories like Saul’s dramatic conversion in Acts 9, we see how a divine encounter can lead to revelation, opportunity, and transformation.

Reflecting on the Passage

• In Mark 8:29, why do you think Jesus shifts the question from “Who do people say I am?” to “Who do you say I am?” What makes that question so personal?
• In Acts 9:3–5, how did Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus change his understanding of who Jesus was?
• How do the responses of Andrew (John 1:41), Nathanael (John 1:48–49), and the Samaritan woman (John 4:25, 42) reveal different ways people recognized Jesus as the Messiah?

Personal Application

• When you hear Jesus ask the question, “Who do you say I am?”, how would you personally answer?
• Can you remember a moment in your life that felt like a divine encounter, a time when God clearly got your attention?
• How have you seen Jesus bring transformation in your life since recognizing him as the Christ?

Exploring Faith

• Luis Palau once said, “One encounter with Jesus Christ is enough to change you, instantly, forever.” How have you seen this truth in the lives of others, or in your own life?
• Pope Francis said that a personal encounter with Jesus can radically change someone’s life if they remember it and preserve its “freshness and beauty.” Why do you think remembering our encounters with God matters?
• Pope Benedict XVI wrote that being Christian is not just an ethical decision but an encounter with a person who gives life a new direction. How does that statement shape your understanding of faith?

Community Impact

• How might God be calling you to create opportunities for others to encounter Jesus through your words or actions?
• In Ephesians 5:15–16, Paul urges believers to make the most of every opportunity. How might God be inviting you to do that in your daily life?
• Who in your life might be ready for a conversation about who Jesus really is?

Closing Thoughts

Throughout the Gospels and the early church, people encountered Jesus in different ways. Some met him through a dramatic moment, like Saul on the road to Damascus. Others came to faith through personal conversation, like Andrew, Nathanael, or the Samaritan woman at the well. Yet in every case, an encounter with Jesus led to something deeper, a revelation of who he truly is.

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