Note to the Teacher

Learning Outcomes: Students will understand what it means to follow God daily as well as what sacrifices it takes to do this and how we prepare ourselves as disciples.

It is important to cover Luke 9:23 before you jump into these hard verses about hating father and mother in order to follow Jesus. The Icebreaker will help you establish and cover this verse.

The discussion encourages students to think about the difficulty in Jesus’ words, especially in the beginning of the passage. Give yourself time to wrestle with these verses before you teach.

The icebreaker and activity allow youth to think about activities they do, even as habits, daily. This will enable them to consider making God one of those daily priorities.

Times are based on a fifty-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

1. Icebreaker: Daily Habits (10 minutes)

Give every student an index card and a writing utensil. Then ask students to create a list of things that they do every day. These can be as simple as brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating, and so on.

Once they have exhausted their list, ask them to share what they have listed. Have the first person name three things, and then the next person should add something that has not been mentioned until everyone has shared, or students have shared everything on their lists.

Icebreaker Debrief:

How would you describe the activities on your list?
Are there days when you don’t do something on that list?
Why? What reasons would you skip or not accomplish something one day?
Are these habits? Do you have to think about them, or are they automatic?
Why are these things important enough for you to do every day?

No modifications are necessary to complete this icebreaker if you are meeting virtually. Still have students make lists of activities on a piece of paper and share.

2. Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Read Luke 9:23.

Say something such as, “In this chapter of Luke, Jesus has already sent the disciples out to perform miracles, and he has performed the feeding of the five thousand. He has warned Peter not to tell others that He is the Messiah. Now he is predicting his own death. Jesus seemed to live a life where he put the needs of others ahead of his own. Do you think that is a good way to live life? Are there costs to living that way?
Ask, “What do you think it means to “. . . deny oneself and take up the cross daily?”
Why does Jesus ask this of any who would follow in his footsteps?
Are there activities or parts of your schedule that would need to change if you were to follow this idea?
How would your life look different if you lived Luke 9:23 every day?

Now that we understand what we think it means to “take up our cross,” let’s read what else Jesus told His followers to do to follow him.

Read Luke 14:25-33.

3. Discussion (15-20 minutes)

Say something such as, “This passage takes place around a table at a Pharisee’s house. What do we know about Pharisees?” (Strict observance of Jewish laws, focused on morals, see some things differently than Jesus sees things, perhaps even religious without compassion depending on the stories or commentaries that you’ve read. The Pharisees weren’t necessarily “the bad guys” – they and Jesus happen to run in the same circles very often, which is why they have so many encounters.)

Jesus uses a lot of “metaphor” language in this passage. What are metaphors, and why do people use them when writing or speaking?
Why do you think large crowds start to gather and listen to Jesus? Is he saying anything controversial?
Do verses 25-27 align with everything else you know about Jesus?
In verses 28-30, what is the tower supposed to represent as a metaphor? Why do you think Jesus wants people to finish what they start regarding their faith?
In verse 33, what do you think Jesus means by “all your possessions”? Do you think that is realistic? Why or why not?
With the imagery of leaving family and old lives behind, of building towers or planning for battle/peace, Jesus seems to want his disciples to be prepared. What are the kinds of things you’ve seen church members do to prepare themselves for living out their faith?
Let’s revisit the beginning of the passage about hating our family. Do you think you love those around you the way God does? Why or why not?
What would it look like if you did?
Jesus asks us not to cling to people or things because they meet our needs or serve us. Receive them as a gift because of who you follow. How does that shift your way of receiving these verses?
How could that change the way you interact daily with people and “things” (things could be social media, video games, other activities that consume your time)?

4. Activity and Discussion (15 minutes)

Have students take out the index cards where they listed their daily habits.

Ask them to turn over the cards and draw a large cross on the blank side (preferably with a colored marker of their choice).
Ask them to take a pencil or pen and write on the side with the cross the people or things that they want to love more, as God does.

Discussion:

You may ask the youth to share, but depending on your group, the answers may be too personal, so be prepared to share your list or share generalities.
Ask how this shift in thinking could begin to change relationships, including their relationships with parents, siblings, friends, and God.
What are some roadblocks/difficulties that could stand in your way as you try to accomplish this?

End the lesson with a prayer and give them time, quietly, to lift the commitments written on their cards to God. If you are a group that prays aloud, or if you desire this, ask them to share one word that they will take away from the lesson during this prayer time.

Total Time: 50 minutes

NEEDED RESOURCES:

Index cards
Markers
Pens

*If you are working ahead to next week, there is a need for small prizes. Consider checking in with congregation members to see if they would like to provide small gift cards or other items as prizes.