Meeting guide · command 62

Count the Cost

Follow Jesus without making comfort, delay, or divided loyalty a condition of obedience.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Luke 9:57–62

57 As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, “I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord.” 58 Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.” 61 Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”

World English Bible

Three would-be disciples encounter Jesus' urgent, unsettling responses about homelessness, family obligations, and looking back.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. Which legitimate concern can become a delay that prevents following Jesus, and how do we discern urgency responsibly?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Identify the condition you keep placing before obedience—comfort, timing, approval, or closure—and take one responsible step forward without waiting for ideal circumstances.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

What condition did you release, and what forward step became possible?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Jesus, uncover our conditions and delays. Give us undivided attention and courage to follow where you lead.

Teach

Acknowledge the severity and cultural setting of the sayings; do not use them to excuse abandonment of dependents or careless neglect of responsibility.