Disciple making comes at a high cost. And Jesus asks us to consider the high cost of following him. How do you create a healthy awareness for your disciples to consider the high cost of discipleship? Jesus states:
“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?”
Luke 14:27-28 ESV
In order to effectively train pastors and church leaders to become great disciple makers it is necessary to consider the impact of the high cost of disciple making. Jesus asks us to become aware of the high cost of discipleship and become aware of the high cost of self-denial; the high cost of cross carrying; the high cost of following Jesus. What strikes you about the high cost of discipleship?
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 ESV
However, disciple makers are not always aware of the high cost of transformation. As a parent, church leader, and coach it is critical to be aware of the high cost of disciple making for transformation. Here are some costs for discipleship for your consideration:
1 The High Cost to Deny Self: Old habits and behaviors die hard and die slowly. Self-denial is difficult because there is an inherent benefit to serve self and act in self-interest. Becoming Christ-like in love through serving one another and preferring one another will come at a high cost. How do you help your disciples become aware of the cost to love one another through denying self? How do you respond to your disciples with empathy so that they can grieve their loss?
2 The High Cost to Carry Your Cross: Carry your cross can be defined as “God’s plan for your life.” The cross Jesus carried was the Father’s plan for his life and Jesus was obedient to the Father. The Father’s plan for your life is your cross that Jesus asks you to carry. Cross carrying comes at a high cost. A disciple of Jesus might be asked to surrender their dreams and plans to embrace God’s plan for their life. To become like Jesus there will be pain for that gain. How do you help your disciples become aware of the sacrificial cost to love one another as they take up God’s plan for their life?
3 The High Cost to Follow Jesus: Following Jesus comes at a high cost. However, due to the Cognitive Bias of Loss Aversion [people place a greater value on avoiding a loss than achieving an equal gain], the high cost of following Jesus might not be viewed as worth the high cost of investing in that life. The abundant life of John 10:10 might be considered lower in value until such time as a disciple has made progress in transformation on their disciple making pathway. How do you help your disciples become aware that the high cost to risk their life for the sake of the Gospel is a great benefit that they might realize the value after their life has been transformed?
Have you created an Awareness of the high cost of disciple making in your church so that you will both survive today and thrive tomorrow?
Steve Sharpe
