Evaluating the Cost
Series: Kingdom Stories for Everyday Life
Scripture: Luke 14:28-33

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many… will try to enter and will not be able to.” - Jesus (Luke 13:24)

__________ God’s invitation isn’t the same as ______________ it.
• Our _________________ reveal what we _______________ most.
• _______________ is ________________ freely, but it must be _________________ personally.
• Being a ________________ is not a ________________.

To truly ________________ Him, each must consider the ____________.
• We must _______________ our families. (v26)
• miseo - not describing an emotion. It describes a ______________ not to put something first in our life.
• It’s about setting a _________________.
• The cost of ___________ to ___________ as we carry our cross. (v27)

• As we consider the cost we must ___________, think, and _________________.
• It’s a lifelong ____________________, not a quick _____________.

• We give up all that we have. (v33)
• We ________________ their _______________ over us.

____________________ is always free, _______________ is always costly.

Are you seeking to just travel with Jesus or are you willing to surrender all and be his disciple as you follow him?

TALK IT OVER

Start talking.
• Have you ever had “buyers remorse” or started a project that you couldn’t finish? What happened?

Start thinking:
• In the parable of the banquet, the excuses weren’t sinful — just distracting. What “good things” in our lives can quietly take first place?
• What is the difference between traveling with Jesus and truly following Him?
• Jesus says we must “hate” family by comparison. How does understanding that as priority rather than as an emotion change the way you hear it?
• Why do you think Jesus intentionally makes discipleship costly instead of easy?

Start Sharing:
• What stood out most to you from Sunday’s message?
• Where are you most tempted to treat Jesus as an add-on rather than Lord?
• When you hear the phrase “count the cost,” what emotions or thoughts immediately surface?
• Is there an area of your life where you know God is asking for deeper surrender? What’s competing most for first place in your heart right now?
• What does “carrying your cross” look like in your life?

Start Praying:
• Ask God to reveal any excuses that have kept you from deeper obedience and pray for courage to surrender areas where you’ve been holding back.
• Thank Jesus that the One who calls you to count the cost is the One who already paid the ultimate cost.

Father, I come before You recognizing the cost of following Jesus. Lord, I acknowledge that You call me to renounce all I have—my possessions, my plans, and my life—to be Your disciple. So I surrender my heart, my time, my talents, and my treasures to You. Even as I count the cost, I choose to follow You, relying on Your grace to finish the work You have started in me. Help me to be a faithful, fully committed disciple. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen."

Start Doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week
• Identify one specific area this week where you will intentionally put Jesus first (schedule, finances, relationships, habits).
Remove or adjust one thing that has been crowding out your devotion to Christ.