Day 1 – READ LUKE 14:25-33
This week you are going to read the same passage a few times and consider the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. How is the Kanakuk value of God first, other’s second, and yourself third supported by this verse? Who should you love above all others?
Day 2 – READ LUKE 14:25-33
God wants you to value your family. God asks you to honor, respect, and be a loving and helpful member of your family. In some circumstances, family cannot understand what God is asking of you. Have you ever experienced this? How can you be obedient to God and respect your family?
Read Isaiah 40:8.
What lasts forever? What fades away?
Does this verse explain why God asks you to give up all you have on earth?
You may or may not have experienced God asking you to give up something. Sometimes you don’t have a choice because you lose something or someone you love. The point is that God wants you to hold people, possessions and earthly treasures with an open hand. What does this mean? Grab a picture of your favorite person or grab something you value most. Don’t just visualize this, get up and do it. Sit down and hold this precious thing to you with tightly closed fists. If you are tightly holding something, do you physically feel at peace or are you tense?
In the clenched position, do you feel like you can let go or are you holding on for dear life? Is tightly holding onto something an action of trust or control?
Now, sit down and pick up the object. Lay the back of your hands down on your lap or on the table in front of you with your palms face up and unclenched with the object resting in your hand. If you hold something openhanded, is your body physically at peace?
Is holding something open-handed an action of trust or control? God wants you to take care of the things He has given you, but he wants you to hold them with open-hands because it shows you trust Him with all you have. It’s also a reminder that all you hold dear is His.
Day 3 – READ LUKE 14:25-33
What examples does Jesus use in verses 28-32?
What does a king do before war? What does a builder do before he builds?
What do you think it means to count the cost of being a disciple of Christ?
The word “count” in the original Greek translation is “Psephizo.” It means to calculate… to consider. God doesn’t want the decision of discipleship to be a “knee jerk” emotional decision. He wants you really to consider what it means and make the decision to fully follow Christ as His disciple.
Day 4 – REFLECT
Take time to “count the cost” of being a disciple of Christ. Look back through this past month. Re-read any verses or comments you wrote. Take some time to pray for God to give you strength and help you.
Day 5 – READ MATTHEW 11:29
How does Jesus describe following Him?
Following Christ can seem hard, but the promise Jesus makes is that His way is light and easy. Think about the burdens and the ways of the man and the world. On a sheet of paper make two columns. Title one column “world’s way” and title the other “God’s way.” Write in each column the way that seems right to the world or God.
Example:
World – Focus on outer appearance… God’s way – Focus on the heart
World – Seek Revenge… God’s way – Turn the other cheek
In the world column, write next to each one the long-term consequences that will come from doing these things next to each line. In the “God’s Way” column, write the long term benefits (even if it takes some time) to doing things God’s way.
Why does the world’s way seem so appealing at first?
Are there any consequences that will harm you or another by doing something God’s way? After you have “counted the cost,” is following Jesus as burdensome as following your own way or the ways of the world?
