by Will Penner
Approximate length: 35 minutes
Primary Theme: Commitment
Themes: Discipleship, Social Status, Humility, Death
Scripture: Mark 2:1-12
The gospels are full of stories of people who desperately wanted to see Jesus. Some want to learn from him, because they hear he was a great teacher. Some want to be healed by him. Others want to try and trick him. Some go to great lengths to meet Jesus, despite what it might cost them socially.
One thing is for sure, though. None of the people in the Bible who chose to follow Jesus always had it easy, and no one who chooses to follow him today always has it easy, either. Sooner or later, if we truly want to follow Jesus, it’s going to cost is something.
So, what are we willing to pay? These are some of the stories from the Bible about the costs of discipleship.
Most of the houses in Israel 2,000 years ago had roofs made of thatch. Thatch is a mixture of clay, mud, sticks, and grass. Most of these houses were relatively small, too, with only 2 or 3 rooms. And they had few windows, as well, which meant that they could get awfully stuffy.
So imagine being packed into one of these homes—so packed in that it’s already beyond standing-room-only. A bunch of people that want to get in, can’t; there’s simply no more room. They’ve all come to hear the teacher, just like you. He’s more than a teacher, really; he’s a healer, too. His sermons are outstanding, but his miracles are legendary. News of his deeds is spreading all across the land, and that’s why the house is so packed.
He’s preaching like crazy, saying some revolutionary stuff. You’re trying to pay attention, but it seems like pieces of the roof are falling in on you. There’s a hunk of mud. Ouch! A huge block of sticks and grass. Somebody’s cutting a hole in the roof! I wonder if it’s the Romans or maybe an assassin? Or maybe just some crazy beggar who thought he’d get a chance to be blessed by the master (you’ve heard he’s got a soft spot for people like that, which you find a bit odd). Either way, you know the host is going to be pretty ticked off. He already seemed irritated with the folks sitting in the windowsills, twice too many people at the kitchen table, and several of the younger ones seemingly camped out in the middle of the family room.
And the hole is getting bigger. Jesus is still talking, although fewer people are paying attention. They’re starting to look up as they notice the hole, too. Before long, you can see several men standing around the opening, and they look like they’re lowering something through the hole’something that looks an awful lot like a person.
Jesus has stopped talking, and everyone is completely focused on the man being lowered into the room. Once you see him it becomes obvious why this man is here: he can’t walk. Immediately, whispers are heard all around the house. You strain your ears to hear what Jesus and the guy are saying to each other.
1. Loss of social status
Transition by saying something like: It’s not popular in today’s culture for us to spend time meditating on our own sinfulness and need for redemption. And when you talk about it with your friends, you’ll likely get some of the same kinds of responses Bartimaeus heard. Are you willing to lose some social status to follow Jesus?
Spiritual Practice: Jesus Prayer
Christian monks in the third and forth centuries tried to take seriously the admonition to “pray without ceasing.” In order to do this, they would choose one or two simple phrases, often from Scripture, and recite them over and over. In order to remind themselves, they would often start each phrase as they would take a breath, leading the practice to be called a breath prayer. One of the most ancient breath prayers is called the Jesus prayer, which is adapted from this Scripture: “Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me.”
Ask the group spend 5 minutes in silence, simply reciting the Jesus prayer every time they breathe. Your minds will wander, and that’s okay. When you become aware of the wandering, gently draw yourself back to focusing on the prayer.
When 5 minutes is over, ask them to debrief the experience a little. Affirm the difficulty of breath prayer – that it’s okay if their minds wandered and they had a hard time concentrating on the phrase. Tell them that this is what many early Christian monks would do throughout their entire day. They would recite the Jesus prayer as they would go about their normal, daily chores in an effort to be in continual prayer.
2. Humility – even humiliation
Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28 (The Canaanite woman)
Discussion: “to the Dogs” (see below)
Transition by saying something like: No matter how bad this woman felt, she knew Jesus was the answer. She was willing to endure anything in order to have her daughter healed by him.
Explanation: Criticism (see below)
Discussion: “to the Dogs”
Jesus says some disturbing things to this woman. Why in the world would he say something like that? Imagine coming to your first youth group gathering – looking for a fun environment, a place where you can meet some new friends, and a place where you can learn more about God and the youth leader tells you this group isn’t for dogs like you. How would you feel? How would you respond?
Explanation: Criticism
Often other people will talk about Christians in the same harsh way Jesus talked to the Canaanite woman. We get criticized for being too “goody-goody,” or for being hypocrites, or simple-minded, or any number of other nasty labels (you could also pause here to get them to list out all of the things they’ve heard people say negatively about Christians). As a result, many of us are ashamed to follow Jesus too closely. I mean, we may want to be saved, but to become one of those Jesus freaks?
At summer camp it may be cool to pray before your meal, but what about in the school lunchroom? On a retreat it may be okay for you to be honest about your weaknesses, but what about in the locker room? It might be acceptable to reach out to the lonely, geeky, unpopular kids when they show up to church, but what about at a school dance or a concert?
It takes humility to follow Jesus when it’s not the popular thing to do. It takes humility to stand on your principles when others are doing things differently. And it takes humility to take on the name of Christ when others make fun of Christians.
3. Death
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19 (Peter’s confession)
Explanation: Blasphemy (see below)
Discussion: If you were called by God to move into a more dangerous place than you live now, in order to be a “light in the darkness,” would you be willing to do it? (Brainstorm some of those areas appropriate to kids in your group: into a crime-infested inner city, a rural area where people like you weren’t well-liked, a third-world country where civil war is currently raging, etc.)
Explanation: Blasphemy
There’s a whole lot of speculation about just who this Jesus guy really is, which prompts the discussion between Jesus and his disciples. Anyone who declares Jesus to be anything more than a teacher or healer risks being laughed at by all his peers. Saying that Jesus is a prophet risks getting in trouble by the religious authorities, because that would ascribe credibility to him that may go against the teachings of the authorities. But to say he’s the Son of God? That could mean death. In Jewish law, there was no greater sin than blasphemy, and the punishment was death.
So, Peter calling Jesus the Son of God is a BIG DEAL! Peter wasn’t always the most solid example of a faithful disciple, but Jesus was impressed by this willingness on Peter’s part to go out on a limb. Can you imagine what the other disciples might have been whispering to each other about Peter when he first said it? And then, can you imagine their surprise when Jesus said Peter would be the foundation of his church?
Closer
Movie clip: 10 Things I Hate about You
Explanation: We all have it in us to go the extra mile for people or ideals we believe in or desire strongly. We value it in sports, business, and romance. What a difference we could make, though, if we were to develop that quality in our faith! What an impact we could make for the Kingdom of God if, when called upon to do so, we were willing to go “through the roof!”
Movie clip: 10 Things I Hate about You
Start at 00:53:47 when the boy and girl start talking in the car. End at 00:54:38 at the kiss. This is a typical, teen flick where a boy is willing to go to any lengths to get a girl. In this short clip, he is talking about how much he’s been willing to do for this girl, despite her unwillingness to pay any attention to him.
Student Talkback
Middle School:
High School:
Life-Application Questions
All of the examples in today’s lesson were highly motivated to risk all sorts of things for Jesus sake. What deep need within you could lead you to take that kind of risk?
If Jesus were in this room now, how would you respond in each of the scriptural situations presented today? Would you be as humble as the Canaanite woman? Would you be as bold as Peter? Would you be willing to go “through the roof” for a sick friend?
Going Forward
Think about the people in your life who exhibit “through the roof” faith. What kinds of qualities do they have that you would like to emulate in your own life? Pick one of these people, and write a thank-you letter to his or her, expressing your appreciation for his or her example in your life.
When your friends ask you about your faith, are you kind of wishy-washy about it, or are you willing to endure ridicule, laughter, or even social death? Peter was able to answer clearly that Jesus was the Son of God. Over the years, the church has routinely asked itself the same question: Who do we say God is? They have affirmed their faith through creeds and confessions that define who they are and what they believe. Take about 5 minutes and write out a statement of faith that encompasses what you believe (about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church, the responsibilities of a Christian, etc.)
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