Order of Worship
20th of September 2026 | 10:30 (Espoo)
L: Praise the Lord!
C: Praise the Lord, O my soul!
L: I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
C: I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.
For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity. You can also ask the welcome team or any of our staff team members for more info on giving online.
A warm welcome to all, and especially to any visitors joining us today – if you’re new to our community please take a moment to fill out our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service!
If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes!
43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” 49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village. 57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Following Jesus means letting Jesus define the road.
I. Let Jesus Define Greatness vv 43-50
II. Let Jesus Define Power vv 51-56
III. Let Jesus Define the Terms vv 57-62
Intro
1. When you hear the words “following Jesus,” what comes to mind first?
2. Why do you think we sometimes find it easier to follow Jesus when his way agrees with what we already want?
Into the Text
3. Read verses 46-48. What are the disciples arguing about, and how does Jesus use the child to answer them?
4. In verses 49-50, why does John want to stop the man casting out demons? What seems to be wrong with John’s thinking?
5. Read verses 51-56. Why does the Samaritan village reject Jesus, and how do James and John respond? Why do you think Jesus rebukes them?
6. In verses 57-62, what does Jesus say to each of the three people who speak about following him? What is different about each situation?
7. Verse 51 says that Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem.” How does knowing where Jesus is going help us understand the rest of the passage?
Apply It
8. Which part of this passage speaks most directly to you right now: the desire to be important, the way you respond when people oppose you, or wanting to follow Jesus on your own terms? Why?
9. Is there one area of your life where you know what following Jesus requires but you are still saying, “Yes, Lord, but first…”? What would obedience look like this week?
Order of Worship
20th of September 2026 | 16:00 (Helsinki)
L: Praise the Lord!
C: Praise the Lord, O my soul!
L: I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
C: I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.
For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity. You can also ask the welcome team or any of our staff team members for more info on giving online.
A warm welcome to all, and especially to any visitors joining us today – if you’re new to our community please take a moment to fill out our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service!
43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” 49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village. 57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Following Jesus means letting Jesus define the road.
I. Let Jesus Define Greatness vv 43-50
II. Let Jesus Define Power vv 51-56
III. Let Jesus Define the Terms vv 57-62
Intro
1. When you hear the words “following Jesus,” what comes to mind first?
2. Why do you think we sometimes find it easier to follow Jesus when his way agrees with what we already want?
Into the Text
3. Read verses 46-48. What are the disciples arguing about, and how does Jesus use the child to answer them?
4. In verses 49-50, why does John want to stop the man casting out demons? What seems to be wrong with John’s thinking?
5. Read verses 51-56. Why does the Samaritan village reject Jesus, and how do James and John respond? Why do you think Jesus rebukes them?
6. In verses 57-62, what does Jesus say to each of the three people who speak about following him? What is different about each situation?
7. Verse 51 says that Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem.” How does knowing where Jesus is going help us understand the rest of the passage?
Apply It
8. Which part of this passage speaks most directly to you right now: the desire to be important, the way you respond when people oppose you, or wanting to follow Jesus on your own terms? Why?
9. Is there one area of your life where you know what following Jesus requires but you are still saying, “Yes, Lord, but first…”? What would obedience look like this week?