Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost

What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?

Luke 14: 25 - 33

Matthew 10: 37, 38

Christians believe that following Jesus and his ways of doing and being are the very best way they can live, finding joy, love, and closeness to God every day.

Jesus wants us to know that we can endure bad times, too, because of our faith and because he is always with us.

Many people go through very hard times because of their belief in God. More Christians were killed for their beliefs in the twentieth century than at any other time in history.

All those Christians who died rather than give up their relationships with God believed it was worth it, no matter what physical and emotional pain they had to suffer.

This is a good day to remember all those Christians who suffered and died for what they believed in, and to give thanks for the examples they set us in their faithful lives to God.

They walked ahead of us in faith, giving up everything for their belief in God, so that we wouldn't have to.

Older classes might want to do some research into the lives of the saints and martyrs. They were awesome people, who gave us clear signposts for our own journeys.

Jesus seemed to know what was in store for him - this story takes place long before he carries his own cross in Jerusalem.

 

1. How much must we love Jesus?

[We must love Jesus more than we love our own lives.]

2. What do we carry when we follow Jesus?

[When we follow Jesus, we carry our own crosses.]

3. What do we have to do to become disciples of Jesus?

[To become disciples of Jesus, we must give away everything we own.]

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