Let's Get Serious For A Moment

Luke 9:23-27, 57-62; 10:13-16; 11:31f; 12:49-53, 57-59; 13:1-3, 22-30; 14:25-33 and 17:10

Be sure and take the time to read through each of the passages listed above. It will be from them that we draw our discussion. Very few people really want to talk about the subject. In fact, just bringing it up to you today may be more painful than you are willing to discuss. We have all been near it or at least too close for comfort. What we’re talking about today is death. Death is serious business and when it draws near we’re not quite sure how to address it. In our discussion today Jesus forces those who follow him to take it seriously and if we want to follow Him we must also wrestle with it at a deep level. Whether we like it or not, death comes to us all, however as a disciple of Jesus we are challenged to choose the way of death. This is going to be interesting!

Questions To Consider

1) How would you react to those who argue one can be saved only if one practices “total commitment”?

2) Summarize Luke 13:31-17:10. What ideas stand out?

3) How many texts in Luke 9:51-19:27 deal with discipleship and family?

4) Does the narrow door in 13:22-30 indicate that God only wants to save a few people, or that only a few people will want to be saved? Discuss.

5) Does 14:25-33 apply to us today, or was it only for the special case of those following a man on his way to die?

6) Is it appropriate to apply “cross bearing” texts to difficult situations in life, such as a bad marriage, caring for a dependant loved one, or prolonged illness?

7) Does “cross bearing” indicate we are not genuine Christians if our faith doesn’t cause us pain? How does cross bearing work together with the idea of Christian joy?