It was most likely at summer camp around a campfire I first learned the song “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.”
Here are the words for those of you who may not know it.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
On day 25 of our Loser2021 Bible study series, we have finally reached our theme verse, Mark 8:35:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it”
Take note of the surrounding verses, Mark 8:34 and 36. These verses further explain what it truly means to lose our life for Christ’s sake and the gospel’s:
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
These 4 keys to losing myself summarize what it means to lose my life and find it in Christ:
Deny myself.
Take up my cross.
Follow Christ.
Find my gain in Christ, not the world.
Theme Verse:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“Lose” from the Greek word “Apollymi” means “to destroy fully.” It is translated “lose” in Mark 8:35, our verse for today.
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it” Mark 8:35