Active Christians Today at The University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ "Something Needs to Change: Counting the Cost"
While on a trip to the Himalayas, David Platt saw such staggering physical and spiritual needs that it changed the course of his life. Now he’s inviting you on a similar journey. It begins with the beauty of breathtaking heights, but quickly winds down into heartbreaking depths. As you travel with David through these mountain villages and the Gospel of Luke, you will encounter some difficult questions, but it’s the answers that may challenge you the most.
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 7:00 PM
Something Needs to Change with David Platt - Counting the Cost
Following Jesus requires much from us. As we studied last week, going where God calls might mean leaving a job we love to serve God in another place around the world. An underlying theme in all of these accounts we have studied in Luke is the cost of gospel obedience. This week we focus on an idea we don’t think about enough: the cost of following Jesus.
Opening Questions:
Do you know someone who has paid a price to follow Jesus? Share that story.
Why are you following Christ?
What does it cost you personally to follow Jesus?
Opening Questions:
Do you know someone who has paid a price to follow Jesus? Share that story.
Why are you following Christ?
What does it cost you personally to follow Jesus?
VIDEO
When listeners of Christ heard the words “bear your own cross,” what did they think of? Why was this such a powerful image? How would that make believing in Christ less attractive?
If “bearing your own cross” had a tangible equivalent in today’s culture, how many “nominal” Christians do you believe would suddenly stop claiming the name of Christ? Why?
If “bearing your own cross” had a tangible equivalent in today’s culture, how many “nominal” Christians do you believe would suddenly stop claiming the name of Christ? Why?
How many sermons have you heard about following Jesus? How many address the cost of following Jesus?
Why is counting the cost a topic we don’t often talk about?
Why is counting the cost a topic we don’t often talk about?
What does it take to follow Jesus?
Jesus requires superior love.
Jesus requires superior love.
Jesus requires exclusive loyalty.
Jesus requires total loss.
What is Jesus’ response to our counting the cost?
Jesus is supremely loving.
Jesus is supremely loyal.
Jesus suffered the ultimate loss.
Jesus is supremely loving.
Jesus is supremely loyal.
Jesus suffered the ultimate loss.
“He smiles because he knows he has something that is worth losing everything for...”
What does that statement mean to you?
How is that statement demonstrated in your life?
What does that statement mean to you?
How is that statement demonstrated in your life?
Does faith in Christ in the United States of America cost us more or less than in other places in the world? How?
How does the “cost” play a role in how deeply we hold to our faith?
How does the “cost” play a role in how deeply we hold to our faith?
David Platt says: “I wonder if some of you haven’t come to Jesus on HIS terms.”
Do you think this applies to you? How might it change your life right now?
Do you think this applies to you? How might it change your life right now?
Optional:
Do you remember the wailing man that you can hear in the background of the video? David mentioned that he wasn’t sure why he was wailing but it had something to do with his belief in a “little g” god.
How are superstitions like “little gods” in your life?
How can your own superstitions interfere with your faith in Christ?
Do you remember the wailing man that you can hear in the background of the video? David mentioned that he wasn’t sure why he was wailing but it had something to do with his belief in a “little g” god.
How are superstitions like “little gods” in your life?
How can your own superstitions interfere with your faith in Christ?
Dig Deeper:
What is it costing you to follow Jesus in your life right now?
If it isn’t costing you something, why isn’t it?
What steps of obedience to Jesus might make following Him most costly?
What is it costing you to follow Jesus in your life right now?
If it isn’t costing you something, why isn’t it?
What steps of obedience to Jesus might make following Him most costly?
Your Story
Two billion people don’t have access to the knowledge that Jesus can save them from their sins. What resources could you sacrifice to make sure the gospel reaches them?
Find someone and investigate ways you can support the persecuted church through praying, giving, and going.
Over the next several days find a time to meet with someone from this group or someone else from your church. Spend concentrated time praying and asking Jesus to help you boldly pursue Him no matter the cost. Record some reflections on this concentrated time of prayer.
Two billion people don’t have access to the knowledge that Jesus can save them from their sins. What resources could you sacrifice to make sure the gospel reaches them?
Find someone and investigate ways you can support the persecuted church through praying, giving, and going.
Over the next several days find a time to meet with someone from this group or someone else from your church. Spend concentrated time praying and asking Jesus to help you boldly pursue Him no matter the cost. Record some reflections on this concentrated time of prayer.
Praise & Prayer
Jesus, thank You for paying the ultimate cost so that we could know You. Help us be bold and courageous in our witness, willing to go anywhere and do anything You ask so that Your name can be made known in all the earth.
Jesus, thank You for paying the ultimate cost so that we could know You. Help us be bold and courageous in our witness, willing to go anywhere and do anything You ask so that Your name can be made known in all the earth.