Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 27 March 2022 | Lesson 13

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 27 March 2022 | Lesson 13 || The Cost of Discipleship

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 27 March 2022

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LESSON 13 | The Cost of Discipleship

TEXT: Matthew 8:18-22; Mark 8:31-38; Luke 9:57-62; 14:25-35

MEMORY VERSE: “And When he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34)

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 27 March 2022 | Lesson 13 MESSAGE

The cost of a material is the price placed on it, and it determines its value. Products with high value attract high cost. In addition, willingness to pay high price depends on the buyer’s understanding of the value of such product. The greatest thing that can happen to any youth on earth is to be among the disciples of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the cost of being Christ’s disciple is less than the benefits. The cost of discipleship is determined by God for any youth that aspires to be a disciple.

Question 1: Who is a disciple?

A disciple is a believer who learns the basic principles of how to be like his Master, our Lord Jesus Christ; and ready to pay any price to be like Him. The Scripture says: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Therefore, to become a disciple, youths must consecrate all to God in order to please Christ in everything, every time and everywhere.

CALL AND CONVERSION TO GENUINE DISCIPLESHIP (Acts 3:19; 5:30,31; 8:12; Matthew 8:18-22; 18:3; Mark 8:31-38; Galatians 5: 22, 24)
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The response of youths to God’s call should be done promptly, intelligently and unquestionably.

Question 2: What are the marks of a genuine Christian youth?

There should be no unwillingness when God calls you. Christian youths discipleship begins with genuine conversion experience. All youths are born in sin, so in order to properly respond to God’s call to salvation, they must, one, confess their sins to God; two, believe in the death of Christ for the remission of their sins as their only means of salvation; three, accept Christ as their only Saviour and four, forsake all their confessed sins. When a youth is genuinely converted, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in his life. Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 27 March 2022 | Lesson 13

Since Christian youths are followers of Christ, the marks of Christ, must be seen in their lives. Some of these marks are: one, selfless love for God and their fellow human beings; Two, joy of salvation due to freedom from guilt and condemnation. Three, peace with God and their fellow human beings. Four, longsuffering during persecution. Five, gentleness and having concern for others. Six, full of good works like God the Father. Seven, faith in everything. Eight, meekness like Christ unlike unbelievers who are proud like Satan. Nine, self-discipline without extravagance in anything.

CONSECRATION AND C0MMITMENT OF GROWING DISCIPLE (Matthew 8:18-22; 19:.28-30; Galatians 6:7-9; John 6:67-69).

God delights in continuous fellowship and relationship with Him. He has given us a perfect example to follow in Christ Jesus. Being a disciple is not optional for Christian youths but mandatory. Any Christian youth that is not making progress spiritually is retrogressing indirectly. There is no room for stagnancy in Christianity. When a Christian youth is committed to Christ, such a life will have the following marks:

one, supreme love for Christ (Luke 14:26);

two, constant denial of self (Matthew 16:24);

three, deliberate choosing the way of the cross (Matthew 16:24);

four, zealously following Christ (Matthew 16:24);

five, fervent love for Christ’s followers (John 13:25);

six, exaltation of God’s word above human opinions (John 8:31);

seven, prompt and complete obedience to God’s word (John 15:7-8); and eight, consistent fruit-bearing (John 15:5). Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 27 March 2022 | Lesson 13

Question 3: What are the marks of true discipleship?

CONDITION AND CROWN FOR DISCIPLES (Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; John 14:1-3; Luke 18:28-30; Revelation 2:10)

For overcoming and victorious Christian youths, abundant rewards await them in this world and in eternity. Peter declared: “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27). This is an indication that Christ’s demands from all His disciples are not impossible. Peter and other disciples when Christ was physically here on earth were able to fulfil the demands of discipleship. Since they were able to fulfil the conditions, Christian youths today can also do the same.

Question 4: What are the rewards for being a genuine disciple?

The greatest thing to be on earth is to be one of Christ’s disciples. The more of His grace in Christian youths, the more such youths will experience God’s supernatural power, success, healthy life, provision, promotion, strength, protection, peace of mind, breakthrough, wisdom, victory over all enemies and eternal life. Truly, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of men the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

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