CSB
Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
NIV
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
ESV
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Memorization Strategies
Try one or two of these strategies to make memorizing easier, especially for dyslexia and learning differences.
Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus.
- If anyone wants to follow after me: sweep one hand to invite “anyone,” then point forward like you are following someone ahead of you.
- let him deny himself: point to yourself, then gently push one hand away from your chest, like saying “no” to self.
- take up his cross daily: trace a small cross shape in front of you, then mime lifting it up onto your shoulder.
- and follow me: take a small step forward, as if walking behind Jesus.
Draw a simple road with small crosses along it, and a figure walking behind a larger figure with a cross. Above or along the road, write “deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.”
Head Summary
Jesus tells the crowds what it really means to follow him. It is open to “anyone,” but it is not cheap. To follow Jesus is to say “no” to self as the boss (deny yourself), to accept a daily cross (a life of dying to sin, comfort, and selfishness), and to keep walking behind him as Lord (follow me). This is not a one-time moment but a daily pattern.
Heart Prompt
When you hear “deny yourself,” what do you feel—fear, resistance, curiosity, excitement? Where in your life right now do you most feel the pull between “what I want” and “what Jesus wants”? Does the word “daily” encourage you (Jesus expects this to be an ongoing journey) or discourage you (it feels hard to keep going)?
Hands Practice
As a family, name one small, concrete way each person can “deny self” and follow Jesus this week—giving up a preference, choosing to serve instead of being served, telling the truth instead of protecting your image, obeying where you would rather do your own thing. Write them down. Each day, briefly pray together: “Jesus, help us take up our cross today and follow You,” and then check in at the end of the day about how it went.
Family Question
If following Jesus means denying ourselves and taking up a cross daily, how might that change the way we talk about being a Christian in our home?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that You carried the cross for us first. Help our family understand what it means to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow You. When we want our own way more than Yours, remind us of Your love and Your better path. Give us courage to follow You each day. Amen.