Interactive Core Study: The Commitment

(15–20 minutes, easy setup)

Print one copy of the Master Teacher Outline for your own use and copies of the Learner Worksheet for each learner. Provide pens, a marker board, and markers.

Distribute copies of the Learner Worksheet and pens. Inform learners that today’s passage occurs in a section of Jesus’ teaching in which He is instructing His disciples on what it means to follow Him, especially concerning persecution. Emphasize that this teaching was timely because Jesus was sending His disciples out among the area to proclaim the kingdom of God. Ask: In light of the mission Jesus is sending the disciples on, He teaches them about the character of a disciple. What does this tell us about the realtionship between the identity and purpose of a disciple? (Answers may include that trials of the mission reveal the true character of a disciple, character is essential in the mission, or the daily life of a disciple is part of the mission.) Point out that Jesus’ teaching in this passage and its surrounding context reveal that being a disciple is not easy. Say: Our mission is not easy and persecution will come in some form, but a true follower of Christ exhibits an undivided life.

1. A disciple’s priorities reflect undivided loyalty and love for Christ (see Matthew 10:37).

Enlist a learner to read Matthew 10:37. Share that the family in Jewish culture (specifically, caring for parents) was extremely important. Ask: Considering that truth, why would this statement be so shocking to Jesus’ disciples? Encourage learners to share their answers aloud. Point out that Jesus was requiring His disciples to love Him more than in even their closest earthly relationships, and that love could be expected from only God Himself. Ask: What did this requirement reveal about Jesus’ identity? Explain that because Jesus is God, His requirement to be loved above all is absolutely appropriate and essential.

Ask: What is Jesus NOT saying in this verse? As learners voice their answers, write them on the board under the heading “Not.” Be sure to include the answer that Jesus wasn’t instructing us to hate or neglect our families (or anyone). Emphasize that along with the whole teaching of Scripture, we can know that loving one’s family, neighbors, and even enemies is expected. Ask: What was Jesus requiring with His statement? As learners share, write their answers on the board under the heading “Required.” Be sure to emphasize the answer that His disciples were to love Him and choose Him above everyone and everything else. Direct learners to describe why this type of love and loyalty to Christ is important to a disciple, especially in the face of struggle and hardship. Encourage learners to discuss their thoughts with the class. Point out that if Jesus is not the first priority in a disciple’s life, persecution and suffering will reveal a person who is a follower in name only. Clarify that hardship or even simple life choices will reveal what a person values most. Say: To follow Jesus with our undivided attention and affection, He must obviously be our highest priority. Otherwise, our character will not match our mission. Encourage learners to write the words priority, loyalty, and love in the first sentence.

2. A disciple surrenders complete control of his or her life to Christ (see Matthew 10:38).

Using the commentary, explain that crucifixion was a means of Roman execution that the Jews found incredibly horrific and shameful. Tell learners of the practice of making a criminal, often a political rebel, carry the large crossbeam of the cross upon which they would be nailed to the place of execution. Ask: For the rebel who was carrying his cross, what was awaiting him at the end of that walk? (death). Encourage learners to describe the attitude or mindset of someone who was following Jesus with a cross. (The discussion might include the following: he was prepared to die; she thought Jesus was worth giving one’s life for; he lived for God’s will and not his own; her allegiance was fully devoted to the kingdom of God instead of any earthly pursuits.) Point out the reality that most of us probably won’t have to worry about physically dying because of our commitment to follow Christ. Ask: What does it mean to our everyday lives that we will give up everything for Him? As learners discuss their answers to this question, be sure to emphasize that we give up control of our lives to Christ, no matter what that means or where it leads. Say: This doesn’t mean we become passive followers of Christ, taking no responsibility for our lives or actions; it means we are obedient to wherever and whatever He calls us to and we live for His will, kingdom, and glory instead of our own. Encourage learners to write the words surrender and control in the second sentence.

3. A disciple navigates life by clinging to what is eternal (see Matthew 10:39).

Write verse 39 on the dry-erase board. Explain that Jesus is saying that a disciple must choose between two realities to hold on to as his or her most prized possession. Say: A person can live only one life, either following his own desires or Jesus’. Draw a box around the first phrase, which should be a form of “whoever finds his life,” and the third phrase, which should be a form of “whoever loses his life.” Then draw a circle around the second phrase, a form of “will lose it,” and the fourth phrase, a form of “will find it.” Clarify that the boxes represent the saving or spending of one’s physical life, and the circles represent the spiritual life. Explain that finding means “keeping back, holding on to, or guarding” and losing means “spending completely, sacrificing, or giving up.” Ask first: What would it mean to literally give up Christ in order to save our own lives? What would it mean to literally hang on to Christ, letting go of our physical lives? Then ask: Other than literal life and death, physically, what does this mean in more practical and day-to-day choices? Allow discussion. Be sure to mention that selfish motives are revealed when we choose anything over Christ and that a desire to honor and serve Christ is revealed when a disciple values and obeys Him. Be sure it is understood that a follower of Christ will value Him over the things of this world, no matter the personal cost.

Ask: Thinking about verse 38, what were the implications of verse 39 in how a disciple lived his or her life? Allow learners to discuss their answers briefly. Explain that a person who is more concerned with guarding his own life than living fully for Christ will forfeit his life in eternity, and a person who willingly spends his life in this world for the sake of following Christ will find his life in eternity. Ask: How does this converstion give us insight into the fact that this passage is not simply expectations but also evidence of true discipleship? Point out that Jesus previously said that whomever did not do these things was not deserving of Him, meaning that he or she did not display the character of one who was a disciple. Say: Only true disciples, people giving their lives completely to Jesus as they follow Him, will spend eternity with Christ. Ask: How does this truth change our perspective on life and our choices as a Christ-follower? Encourage learners to consider that a true disciple will consider the eternal effects of how they live and will choose to spend their lives on that which is eternal instead of what will be lost in the end. Encourage learners to write the words clinging and eternal in the third sentence.

Invite one or two learners to give a one-sentence summary describing Jesus’ requirements for His followers, based on today’s discussion. Emphasize the truth from the learning goal that Jesus requires our undivided commitment to Him alone. Transition to the additional “Explore” and/or “Transform” activities.