The Involvement in a Youth Discipleship Ministry: The Cost of Being a

Disciple of Christ
John 6:66 - 71, Luke 14:25 - 33

“Is discipleship simply one individual going over a lesson with another individual? Studying
the life of Christ and His ministry with His disciples will help us to better understand the
extent to which a mentor must go in the discipleship ministry. Action and accountability
are truths taught in the Word of God about discipleship. When is what you are doing too
much, and when is what you are doing too little?”

Introduction:
In John 6, Christ has finished speaking to the crowd. There were “disciples” (not of
the twelve) present who found these things He had spoken hard to understand. As a result
the Word of God says that many of His disciples went back and walked no more with
Him.
Christ asks the twelve if they were going to leave as well, and the question with
which Peter responds is a question that only a true disciple (disciple indeed) could ask.
Peter says, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”

I. A True Disciple Must Have Convictions (John 6:68 – 69)

The convictions of a true disciple are not like the convictions of others. His
convictions are stronger than the majority. When everyone else would leave, a true
disciple has convictions and will not follow the crowd. His convictions will also be seen
in the decisions he makes. Notice the outline of the things Peter said in this passage:
a. Strong Convictions about what Jesus Says (v. 63, 68) – The Word of God
b. Strong Convictions about Who Jesus Is (v. 69)
a. “Christ” – the Anointed One; Messiah
b. “Son of the living God”

II. A True Disciple Must Recognize the Cost (Luke 14:25 – 33)

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 What Peter is in essence saying in John 6, is the same as what he said in Matthew
19:27, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and
followed thee; what shall we have therefore?”
a. Common Excuses of those who CANNOT be disciples (Luke 9:57 – 62)
b. Counting the Cost (Luke 14:25 – 33)
a. Familial Ties – Matthew 10:37
b. Personal Tie (his own life) – Matthew 10:39
c. Self-denial and Cross-bearing – Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke
9:23
c. Construction Example Given (Luke 14:28 – 30)
Please notice that this is addressing the topic of discipleship. The author likens an
individual who attempts to follow Christ half-heartedly to someone who plans to build a
tower, but does not count the cost and is unable to finish.
Paul is a great example in counting and finishing. Note the following verses:
 Philippians 3:8 says, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…”
 Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I
have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” –
Here we see that he counted what it would take to finish, and Paul hated (if
you will) “his own life” (Luke 14:26).
 II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith…” – He would not be mocked in this sense because, as a disciple
of Christ, he counted the cost and finished “the tower” he set out to build.

III. A True Disciple Recognizes the Extent of His Commitment (Luke 24:26,
27, & 33)
This passage has two phrases/words given four times that shows the degree or extent of
the commitment that the disciple is expected to make.

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 a. No Middle Ground – “cannot be my disciple” – Please note that this is
used three times to further emphasize the degree of the disciple’s
commitment. To be a disciple “indeed” this is the commitment that is
required. It is a commitment that, if not followed, would absolutely
PROHIBIT the follower from being a disciple. He CANNOT be the
disciple of Christ. There is no room for casual following or service.
Either you are in completely, or you are not.
b. “All” means “All” – As if the major things are not already covered, the
writer leaves no room for anything else to consume our devotion. Father,
mother, wife, children, brethren, sisters, and own life have already been
mentioned; but for those who did not see something they are holding on
to in this list, the writer includes ALL. A follower of Christ CANNOT BE
His disciple unless He forsakes all, and his devotion to Christ TRULY
supersedes all other devotions.

Concluding Thoughts:
• Do you clearly understand the convictions a true disciple possesses?
• Have you counted the cost of being a disciple of Christ?
• Are you willing to make the complete commitment since partial commitment is not
an option?

Some Practical Points of Application on Meeting these Expectations:

1. Choose or develop doctrinally sound material. The material must be in accordance
with the Word of God.
2. Establish expectations for the mentor as well as for the disciple.
3. Train a lay leader to organize and track the results of the ministry.
a. Ordering material
b. Tracking all who complete the lesson plans
c. Planned recognition points
4. All youth ministry sponsors should be involved in some level of discipleship.
Additional Lectures: The Importance and Initiation of a Discipleship Ministry.