Youth Sermon: Count the Cost of Discipleship

Introduction

Hey guys! So, I've got a question for you. How many of you have ever been students? I'm guessing all of you, right? We've all had to learn and study in school, and sometimes it's tough. But did you know that if you're a follower of Jesus, you're called to be a student again? Jesus calls His students disciples, and He teaches them about the Kingdom of God.

Now, being a disciple of Jesus isn't like school. The classroom is way bigger, the stakes are way higher, and the cost is way greater than you might think. Today, we're going to look at a passage where Jesus talks about what it really means to be His disciple.

Salvation is free, but it'll cost you everything.

Understanding the Passage

So, Jesus says some pretty intense stuff here, like hating your family and carrying your cross. What's that all about? Well, Jesus is using strong language to make a point: following Him means putting Him first, even above our families. It doesn't mean we literally hate them, but we have to be willing to put Jesus first in our lives.

Remember the candy and phone example? The candy was free, but it cost you something important - your phone. That's kind of like following Jesus. Salvation is free, but it'll cost you everything.

Now, Jesus also talks about counting the cost. He gives examples of building a tower and going to war. What He's saying is that we need to think about what it really means to follow Him. Are we ready to give up everything for Him? Are we ready to face tough times and challenges because we love Him?

So, what does it mean to carry our cross? It means being willing to give up everything, even our lives, for Jesus. It's not easy, but the reward is eternal life and salvation.

Life Application

Here's a practical life application idea: this week, think about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. What are you willing to give up for Him? What challenges are you facing because you're following Him? Talk to God about it and ask for His help.

Closing Prayer

"Dear Jesus, thank You for the gift of salvation. Help us to be willing to give up everything for You. Give us the strength to face challenges and tough times as we follow You. Amen."

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. What does it mean to "count the cost" of following Jesus?

2. How can we prioritize our relationship with Jesus over other commitments in our lives?

3. What are some challenges you face as a disciple of Christ, and how can you overcome them?

4. How can we support each other in our commitment to discipleship?

5. What are some practical ways we can "carry our cross" daily as followers of Jesus?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Building a Tower
• Group Activity: Carrying Our Crosses
• Youth Challenge: Count the Cost Challenge