In your own words, what is Jesus saying in this passage:? What do you think it means to "take up your cross" and follow Jesus?

What would you say are the costs of following Jesus? List as many as you can.

      Which of these costs is the most challenging for you personally? Why?

What are the benefits of being a follower of Christ? List as many as you can.

      Why do you think Jesus is so adamant about us loving Him more than "father & mother...wife & children.." .etc? (to ‘hate' means ‘to love less than' in this context)

What do you think God is saying to you in this passage? How should you respond?

Read Matthew 6:31-33

What do you think it means to "seek first His kingdom?"

When we seek God's kingdom first and are not so focused on our own needs, how will our needs be met?

      How is this message contrary to what we hear in our culture?

Why is it hard for us to live focusing on Christ like this passage says? But then when we do, what is generally the outcome?   

What is the main focus of your life? What distracts you from focusing on Jesus?

Read 2 Peter1:3-8

What are God's promises to you? How does that show in your life?

What is the goal you are to achieve by living this way? (verse 8)

Read Philippians 3:7-15

What should you consider worthless? What should you value?

What is your ultimate prize? When will you receive it? Why should you make a choice for Christ now, when death may be a long way off?

Read Psalms 89:14-17

What is the lifestyle of those who are "walking in the light" of God?

Do you ever find yourself behaving this way for even a short while? If yes, how can you learn to make it more often? If no, what is preventing you?

 Resourcefulness

Read Luke 19:11-27

What was the king's minimum expectation for the minas during his absence. 23)? How did this differ from the third servant's expectation? How was the servant judged (v. 22)?

Have you ever been afraid to use one of your talents or abilities? How could you combat that fear based on this parable? In what ways can you be "found faithful"? In what areas could you begin to "gain interest"?

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11

How should we use the gifts God has given us? Who provides the strength to serve? What is the result of our service (v. 11)?

What impact does verse 8 have on you in regards to serving (do you feel released from perfection of service, more willing to overlook faults)?

Read Ephesians 2:8-10

What is the greatest Gift we have received from God? Why were we created and when did God prepare us?

How does knowing that God has already prepared you to do His good works free you to act and serve? What does His advanced preparation tell you about the importance of your service?

Read 2 Timothy 2:15

How does this verse reflect the Parable of Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27)? In what ways do you work towards being an unashamed workman?

What was Moses reaction when God told him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? Have you ever had a similar reaction when asked to serve?

What resource did God send for Moses? Do you have areas where you

 Lost Sons   

Monday 10/5                                                                        Luke 15:11-32

Fractured Family

What attitude does the man's son seem to be exhibiting?  Have you ever been like this son regarding any authority in your life? Toward God?  Has anyone (a child, student, co-worker or friend) ever treated you the way the son was treating the father?  Whose interest was their greatest concern?

Tuesday 10/6                                                                                    Deut. 21:18

Son's Rebellion

What does the law prescribe for a disrespectful/rebellious son?  How does it feel when we must seriously discipline our children?  Why must we discipline them?  Why do we need to take discipline that comes from God (Hebrews 12:5-11)?  What would happen if  everyone just had their own way

Wednesday 10/7                              Proverbs 3:5;  Psalm 55:22;  1Peter 5:7

Son Released 

When the man's son desired to leave his home and go into the world, in whom did he have to trust as he released his son?  Have you had a time like this in your family?  What do we tend to do instead of  the  wisdom of today's 3 verses?  How is real trust developed?

What can you do to grow a stronger relationship with the Lord and  have this true trust?

Thursday  10/8                                                     Psalm 103: 1-5; Phil 4: 4-7

Father's Rejoice

When the son returns, his father's response is total forgiveness and  major rejoicing and  celebrating.  How do you think you would respond in this situation?  How was his father able to be so forgiving? Was he only celebrating his son? Was his gratitude turned to praise and  thanksgiving to God?  Have you been in a situation where you can respond like this too? Why did he not just think, "what a great dad I am"?  Who got the glory for his son's coming to repentance and  returning to home?  Why? Who was in control of this whole situation?  Who is in charge of you life circumstances?

Friday 10/9              Proverbs 29:11 Isaiah 55:8-9;Romans 3:23;James 1: 19

Brother's Resentment

Why was the brother angry?  Can you relate to his resentment?  Does this parable trouble you?  What does the Isaiah verse tell us about God's  thoughts and ways?   No one is without sin.  Whose sin should we be most concerned with? According to John 5:27 and  30, who has the job of ultimately be everyone's judge and  also knows everything (past, present and future)?

A Late Night Request

Read Luke 11:5-10

What is the crux of the story Jesus is telling here? What analogy does He use?

      What is the value of prayer Jesus is trying to communicate?

What does this passage say about how we should pray?

      When compared to the persistence and dedication described here (v 9-10), how              would you grade your own prayer life? Why?

In verses 9-10, the better translation would be to "keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking." What are the things in your life that you want to be this persistent about in prayer?

Read Luke 11:11-13

How does Jesus describe God in this passage? What is this meant to communicate about the heart of God in hearing our prayers?

When you think about praying, and specifically about how God answers prayers, do you gravitate toward or away from this image of God as Father/parent? Why?

Sometimes God's answer to our prayers is not as we would hope or expect. How do these verses encourage us to understand and trust God, even when we don't understand His answers to our prayers?

Additional Study: Read  1 Samuel 3:1-10

Initially, Samuel doesn't know how to listen for God. How would you describe your ability to hear God's voice in response to your prayers?

Do you believe, in your heart, that God is still speaking today? What can you do to begin to develop an "ear to hear" when the Lord does speak?

Read  Colossians 4:12-13

In this passage, Paul describes Epaphras, his fellow Christian. How does Paul describe him? How does he describe the way Epaphras prays?

When you think of praying...how often do you think of "wrestling" in prayer? How is this image helpful?

Read Psalm 22:1-5

When have you felt like this passage was true for you-that you were crying out in prayer? How did that situation affect your faith? Your prayers?

For two verses, the psalmist laments God's seeming absence. How does he turn the corner in the rest of the passage? How does this encourage you? Challenge you?