The Cost of Discipleship
Theme: Good News to Share
Theme Verse: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b NIV
Readings: Luke 14: 25-35; Matthew 8: 18-22; Matthew 10: 17-42
Optional Reading: Matthew 19: 16-22
Memory Verse: “And he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.’” Luke 9:23-24
Today’s lesson is about priorities.
What is it that we really want? And how do we go about our daily lives to get what we want? What is truly most important to us? And what is truly best for us and others?
Large crowds were following Jesus. Many had heard his parables and seen his miracles. In Luke 14: 25-35, we see Jesus turn and address one of these large crowds. They were following him, and now he wanted them to know what would be required to truly follow him, as disciples would. Above all, he wanted them to know the reality of the commitment to being a disciple. In Luke 15: 26, Jesus uses the word “hate” (see Matthew 10: 37-38). Why? The word more clearly means “hostility toward” or “an aversion to”. Are we not, as Christians, to love as Jesus loved? Jesus uses strong language to help us see the choice involved in being one of his disciples. He wants us to see that he is our first priority- in all things, and always. Read Matthew 6: 33. Jesus applies the word “hate” to help us see the choice to follow him as a value judgment that guides us to have no contact with nor influence from that which is wrong or opposed to God. (see Matthew 6:24) We must follow without compromise. This value judgment also informs us that only in Jesus are persons and relationships transformed.
Jesus follows with two parables- one, about constructing a building, the second, about a king waging war. What must be accomplished for the building to be completed? And does not the king want to win any war in which he might engage? This is common sense. If one wants to lose weight, certain things must be done. This is similar with quitting smoking, or planting seedlings, or learning to play piano or ride a bike. It’s the way things are. And so it is with being a disciple of Jesus. There is an essential character to it that must be undertaken and maintained. Note in v. 33 Jesus then states, “…in the same way”. It is as if Jesus is saying- “If you want to be with me, then you must understand what it will take to accomplish the task.” In v.34, we are reminded again of salt and saltiness. If the essential character of a Christian is lost, and the expectations of that life changed or diminished, then what good is the commitment?
Word Received: Trust me. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will never let you down.
We sometimes establish priorities in our lives that leave following Jesus as something we can get to later. Jesus, however, wants us to see the immediacy, urgency and absolute quality of his kingdom.
Just before Jesus is to enter a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee, he is approached in Matthew 8 by two men.
In Matthew 8:19, Jesus emphasizes to the teacher of the Law the insecurity of discipleship. What is important is that we respond to God’s call to us-now. Such a call can have us talking to strangers, or to large groups of people; or being sent to wilderness areas of Africa to proclaim the Gospel; or to give up a good paying job. Can you think of some insecure places or situations the Lord has called you to? How did those situations turn out? How is being a disciple of Jesus insecure in the eyes of the world? How can it offer us true security?
In Matthew 8:21-22, a disciple seems to be telling Jesus that he must wait for his inheritance before he can afford to follow Jesus. How were his priorities upside down? What has stood in your way at times in following Jesus? Have there been times where following Jesus meant that you would not be able to afford to do so?
Word Received: Stand steadfast in Me. Share, be willing to share. When your heart has put me first, then your mouth and actions will follow.
In Matthew 10: 17-42, the disciples are on the verge of being sent out by Jesus. Jesus has given them, or assigned, his authority to them so that they may do what he has done. He then gives them instructions on what to expect, and how to interact with people. See 2 Corinthians 11. How does what happened in Paul’s life correspond to what Jesus says will happen in the lives of the disciples? Yet, God makes a way. Jesus says “do not worry”, and “do not be afraid”, and gives tender words of encouragement, how the Father values them very personally. The Gospel is proclaimed, people are healed. Lives are transformed. See Matthew 11: 1-6. John the Baptist wondered about Jesus’ ministry. We are to go, but judge the “success” of the going, of being sent out, of being a disciple of Jesus, only in terms of transformed lives, and certainly not by the world’s standards. (see Matthew 7: 15-20)
Finally, in Matthew 19: 16-22, we are reminded that “good” is not something we can do or acquire. (see Romans 3:23) Only God is good in and of himself. Our work is to believe in the one God has sent- Jesus. (see John 6: 29 and 6:40) The young man in Matthew 19 is obviously attached to his understanding of the Law allowing him, if scrupulously followed, to “attain” eternal life. He wanted more “inside information”. What one good thing must he do? Which laws should he follow? He also was obviously attached to his money. Jesus wanted him to get his priorities straight, and he wants us to do the same.
Take time now to pray that the Lord would show you the way. Follow him.
How to teach teachers' word: Ask them to ask Me where I AM trying to touch their lives. (Each of them will have a different place.) I want them to become sensitive to My promptings in those areas.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 24.
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. Jesus loves us and gave his life for us.
2. We can know God's love by becoming a disciple of Jesus.
3. To become a disciple of Jesus we must ask him to be our savior and come into our hearts. Then we must put him first in our lives. Then we will come to know him.
4. Part of being a disciple is sharing Jesus' love with others by out words and actions. God will always help us with this.
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