The cost of being a disciple

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The Cost of Being a Disciple

Luke 14:25-35

Key verse 14:26

1. What was the occasion that Jesus taught this passage?(13:22) What might be the reason for this large crowd to follow Jesus? Examine your self and find the reason to follow Jesus so far.
2. Who might be ‘anyone who comes to me’? Describe it in inclusive and exclusive nature of this word. What does it mean that one hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters? Discuss this in view of the word, Mat 19:19; 22:39; Rom 13:9 Gal 5;14; James 2:8. Why did Jesus choose the word “hate”, rather than using other terms of priority?
3. How are they different from the neighbors? What are the bonds that I have with them? In verse Mat 22:39, what is assumed about my attitude about myself? What does it mean that one hate his own life? Think about in terms of truth, sin, authority and selfishness. Where was the primary reason for the fall of Eve?
4. What does it mean that one carry his cross and follow Jesus? (9:23)
5. What do you think it is to be a disciple of Jesus? Describe it in your own terms. What are the two non-negotiable conditions to be Jesus’ disciple? What resolution was Jesus asking from his disciples?
6. Read v 28-32. Who is the one that plans to build a tower or lays foundation of the tower? What is the risk and how can he eliminate the risk? Who is the king that plans to make war and what assessment and decision does he have to make? Through these two illustrations what must be taken into consideration when one make decision to follow Jesus? How can one get supply of these two?
7. Think about the theme of this passage and how it is related to v 26-27. Think about what might be included in ‘everything’? How might each of these things be an obstacles for me to follow Jesus in view of the verse 33?
8. Read v 34-35. Salt is good for what? What could it mean that salt loses its saltiness? If being saltiness is a metaphor of being a disciple, how does ‘hate’ has to do with disciples being saltiness? Think about this in terms of making “distinction and/or difference” in the life of disciples.