SOAP Bible Study: Luke 9:23-24

Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? That’s a question every believer must answer—not just once, but every day. In this SOAP Bible Study: Luke 9:23-24, we explore two short verses that deliver a life-changing call to discipleship. These words of Jesus Christ challenge us to think differently about success, self, and sacrifice. For new believers and spiritual seekers, they offer a clear yet demanding vision of what walking with Christ truly involves.

Jesus spoke these words not just to His twelve disciples, but to all who were listening. He didn’t hide the cost of following Him. In fact, He made it very clear: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” That’s a call to surrender. And right after that, He gave a truth that flips the world’s values upside down: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

This study uses the SOAP Bible Study method to help us listen, observe, and apply Jesus’ words to our own journey. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Each step invites us to slow down and let God speak through His Word. Let’s walk through Luke 9:23-24 together and discover what it truly means to live by losing—and to follow by dying.

Scripture

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” - Luke 9:23–24 (ESV)

These verses are simple, but they are not easy. They come straight from Jesus and are meant for anyone who desires to follow Him. He makes no attempt to soften the cost. Following Jesus requires a daily decision. It starts with denial of self, moves through the act of taking up one’s cross, and results in a life of consistent obedience.

When Jesus says “take up his cross,” He isn’t referring to the difficulties of everyday life. He’s talking about choosing the path of death to self—just as He would soon carry His own cross to Golgotha. The call to follow is a call to die, not just once, but daily. In exchange, Jesus promises something far greater. Losing your life for His sake leads to finding real life.

This passage speaks to the core of the gospel. Jesus isn’t inviting us into comfort or success by the world’s standards. He is inviting us to lay everything down and trust Him. These verses capture the tension between our natural desire to protect our own lives and God’s invitation to surrender. When we choose the cross, we gain Christ—and in Him, we find a life that cannot be lost.

Observation

Jesus begins by saying, “If anyone would come after me.” That includes all of us. This invitation is not for a select few but for every person who wants to follow Him. Right away, we see that discipleship is voluntary. Jesus doesn’t force us; He invites us. But the conditions are non-negotiable.

First, He says we must deny ourselves. That means we stop placing our own desires, comforts, and ambitions at the center of our lives. Instead, we put Christ first. This kind of denial isn’t about self-hatred or rejecting our identity. It’s about removing ourselves from the throne of our hearts.

Second, He tells us to take up our cross daily. The word “daily” is crucial. This isn’t a one-time commitment; it’s a lifestyle. Each day we must choose to die to self. That includes our pride, our selfishness, and our desire to control our own destiny.

Third, He says we must follow Him. This means we don’t just admire Jesus—we obey Him. We walk where He walked, serve how He served, and suffer as He suffered. And then He gives a paradox: the more we try to protect our lives, the more we lose them. But when we lay them down for His sake, we discover what real life is.

Jesus wants us to see that true life is found in Him, not in preserving comfort or control. His path leads to life, but it begins with a cross.

Application

This passage calls for deep, personal reflection. If we want to follow Jesus, we must ask: Are we willing to give up everything to walk in His footsteps? Many people admire Jesus, but few truly follow Him. The call in Luke 9:23-24 strips away any shallow version of Christianity. It reminds us that discipleship is not about convenience; it’s about surrender.

So what does this look like today? It might mean giving up a habit or comfort that competes with Christ’s will. It might mean putting aside personal ambition to serve others. It could even mean choosing a harder path because it honors God. Denying ourselves may include letting go of unforgiveness, pride, or fear.

Taking up our cross daily means we willingly identify with Christ, even when it costs us. It might lead to rejection, loss, or hardship. But Jesus reminds us that these sacrifices are not wasted. When we lose our lives for His sake—when we give ourselves fully to Him—we find a life that the world cannot offer.

Following Jesus is not about trying harder. It is about yielding daily. Each morning we can pray, “Lord, today I choose to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You.” It’s a decision we make in every conversation, every temptation, and every opportunity to serve.

True discipleship touches every part of our lives. When we obey this call, we don’t miss out on life—we finally discover it.

Prayer

Father, thank You for calling us to follow Jesus. We confess that we often want comfort more than surrender. But today, we hear Your invitation again. Help us deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Your Son. Give us strength to lose our lives for His sake, knowing that in Him we find true life. Teach us to walk this path with joy, because we know that Jesus leads the way. Amen.

Closing Thoughts: SOAP Bible Study: Luke 9:23-24

Luke 9:23-24 offers no shortcuts, no easy path, and no promises of worldly success. Yet it holds the secret to the abundant life Jesus came to give. In this SOAP Bible Study: Luke 9:23-24, we’ve seen that the call to follow Jesus begins with a daily choice. We deny ourselves, not to lose our identity, but to find it in Christ. We take up our cross, not as a burden, but as a sign that our lives belong to Him. And we follow, step by step, trusting the One who gave everything to save us.

This message is not just for the spiritually mature. It’s for all of us. From the moment we first say yes to Jesus, we begin this journey. It’s a path of surrender, but also of deep joy and eternal reward. Jesus doesn’t just ask us to lose our lives. He offers something far greater in return—life with Him.

As we continue growing in faith, may this passage stay with us. Each day brings a new opportunity to follow Jesus Christ more closely. Let’s answer the call—not with fear, but with trust and a heart ready to obey.