Study 13: REFRAMING YOUR VIEW
Luke 14:25-33: The Parable of the Tower, The Cost of Discipleship

Luke 14:27-28 — “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”

Read through Luke 14
1. In Luke 14 Jesus teaches a parable about counting the cost of that which we would build. The question is rhetorical, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower does not first count the cost?” What is the focus or topic of His illustration?

2. Let’s define the term ‘discipleship.’ First, read I Kings 19:19-21 The story of Elijah and Elisha gives us one of the first Biblical examples of what true discipleship should look like, and looked like in the days of Jesus. What do you take from this Old Testament story? What does it tell us about the expectations of the follower of Jesus? Why does it matter for us today?

3. Verse 25-27 are difficult and maybe even troubling to understand. Remember Jesus was teaching in hyperbole; a style of teaching which used exaggerated and radical language to drive home a serious point. Why is this important to know here?

4. What does Jesus mean by ‘hate’ when he speaks of the contrast between the love we have for God and the love we have for our family or ourselves? Is Jesus saying we should harm or hurt ourselves or our family? Is he telling us we should leave them? What does he mean?

5. The contrast between love for our Savior and each other should be so much more because we cannot love our families without the love of the Father within us. Where does true love come from? (I John 4:8)

6. The point Jesus is making is that nothing should get in the way of our following Him until the very end. The story then is about finishing what?

7. Finishing is very important. Why?

8. What does this parable teach you about your walk with Jesus? What does it tell us about how we should be making disciples?