Essay: Course Reflection
Christopher Hamilton
DSMN 500: Discipleship Ministries
October 2023
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 1
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s View on Discipleship .................................................................................. 1
Personal Discipleship Reflections .................................................................................................. 1
Passages and Principles Related to Discipleship ........................................................................... 2
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples ........................................................................................ 3
My Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 4
Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 5
ii
1
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s View on Discipleship
Dietrich Bonhoeffer summarized the difference between cheap grace and costly grace
when referring to the heart foundation of discipleship. Cheap grace is described in this way by
Dietrich, “It is grace without a price, without costs.”
1
The cost of discipleship is obedience.
Dietrich explains this, “The call goes out, and without any further ado the obedient deed of the
one called follows. The disciple’s answer is not a spoken confession of faith in Jesus. Instead, it is
the obedient deed.”
2
This example of discipleship starts with a relationship with Jesus, follows in
obedience to the Great Commission, and is fulfilled through a balance of ‘being’ and ‘doing’.
Most of what Bonhoeffer touches on goes back to the sermon on the mount. His view seems
biblically based and encourages the reader to really investigate identity in Christ and what that
may look like in taking the right steps into discipleship.
The emphasize on a deeper level, Bonhoeffer explains the costly price of grace is not of
our own works, but of our own surrender because of the sacrifice that went before us. “Costly
grace is the hidden treasure in the field, for the sake of which people go and sell with joy
everything they have.”
3
Personal Discipleship Reflections
My biggest take-a-way from discipleship is that it flows from an identity in Christ. If we
must self-produce this effort, we will fall short every time. I also never really thought about the
balance between ‘being’ and ‘doing’. We must be intentional in who we are and how God’s
1
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 43.
2
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 57.
3
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44–45.
2
word defines us. Being a Christian and living with costly grace enables us to establish a balance
of ‘doing’ along with ‘being’. Obedience to the Great Commission does not mean we obey
forcefully out of allegiance. We must approach discipleship with a willing heart to be used by
God.
Another take-away was the stages of discipleship. Going from a non-believer to an
infant, to a child, to a young adult, and then finally a spiritual parent. This progression of growth
is necessary for discipleship, and we should not take on too much too early, but instead be
intentional about our growth process. This process follows three steps as Putnam pulls from the
gospel of Matthew, “We draw our definition of discipleship from Matthew 4:19, where Jesus
said, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (ESV).
4
Putnam explains this three-step
process as: Follow Me, and I Will Make You, Fishers of Men. Discipleship is more than a
command; it is a lifestyle of following Christ. When we choose to follow Christ, we choose to
make disciples. The fruits of our harvest reflect our beliefs.
Passages and Principles Related to Discipleship
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
4
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help
Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), 54.
3
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
5
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
5
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
4
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
6
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
6
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
5
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
7
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
7
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
6
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
8
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
8
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
7
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
9
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
9
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
8
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
10
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
10
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
9
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
11
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
11
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
10
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
12
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
13
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
12
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
13
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
11
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
12
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
14
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
14
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
13
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
15
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
16
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
15
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
16
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
14
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
15
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
17
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
17
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
16
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
18
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
19
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
18
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
19
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
17
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
18
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
20
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
21
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
20
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
21
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
19
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
22
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
22
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
20
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
23
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
23
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
21
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
24
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
24
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
22
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
25
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
25
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
23
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
26
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
26
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
24
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
27
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
27
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
25
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
28
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
28
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
26
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
29
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
29
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
27
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
30
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
31
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
30
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
31
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
28
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
29
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
32
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
32
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
30
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
33
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
34
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
33
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
34
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
31
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
32
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
35
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
35
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
33
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
36
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
37
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
36
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
37
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
34
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
35
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
38
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
39
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
38
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
39
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
36
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
40
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
40
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
37
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
41
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
41
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
38
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
42
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
42
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
39
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
43
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
43
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
40
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
44
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
44
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
41
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
45
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
45
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
42
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
46
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
46
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
43
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
47
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
47
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
44
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
48
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
49
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
48
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
49
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
45
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
46
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
50
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
50
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
47
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
51
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
52
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
51
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
52
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
48
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
49
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
53
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
53
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
50
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
54
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
55
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
54
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
55
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
51
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
52
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
56
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
57
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
56
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
57
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
53
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
58
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
58
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
54
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
59
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
59
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
55
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
60
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
60
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
56
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
61
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
61
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
57
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
62
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
62
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
58
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
63
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
63
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
59
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
64
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
64
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
60
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
65
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
65
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
61
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
66
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
67
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
66
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
67
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
62
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
63
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
68
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
68
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
64
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
69
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
70
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
69
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
70
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
65
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
66
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
71
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
71
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
67
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
72
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
73
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
72
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
73
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
68
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
69
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
74
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
75
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
74
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
75
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
70
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
76
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
76
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
71
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
77
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
77
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
72
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
78
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
78
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
73
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
79
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
79
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
74
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
80
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
80
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
75
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
81
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
81
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
76
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
82
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
82
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
77
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
83
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
83
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
78
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
84
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
85
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
84
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
85
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
79
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
80
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
86
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
86
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
81
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
87
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
88
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
87
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
88
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
82
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
83
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
89
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
89
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
84
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
90
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
91
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
90
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
91
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
85
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
86
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
92
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
93
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
92
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
93
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
87
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
94
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
94
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
88
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
95
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
95
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
89
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
96
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
96
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
90
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
97
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
97
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
91
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
98
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
98
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
92
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
99
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
99
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
93
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
100
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
100
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
94
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
101
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
101
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
95
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
102
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
103
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
102
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
103
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
96
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
97
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
104
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
104
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
98
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
105
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
106
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
105
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
106
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
99
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
100
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
107
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
107
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
101
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
108
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
109
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
108
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
109
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
102
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
103
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
110
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
111
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
110
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
111
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
104
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
112
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
112
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
105
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
113
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
113
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
106
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
114
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
114
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
107
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
115
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
115
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
108
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
116
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
116
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
109
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
117
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
117
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
110
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
118
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
118
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
111
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
119
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
119
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
112
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
120
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
121
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
120
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
121
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
113
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
114
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
122
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
122
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
115
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
123
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
124
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
123
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
124
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
116
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
117
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
125
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
125
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
118
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
126
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
127
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
126
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
127
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
119
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
120
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
128
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
129
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
128
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
129
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
121
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
130
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
130
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
122
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
131
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
131
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
123
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
132
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
132
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
124
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
133
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
133
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
125
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
134
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
134
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
126
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
135
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
135
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
127
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
136
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
136
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
128
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
137
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
137
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
129
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
138
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
139
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
138
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
139
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
130
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
131
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
140
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
140
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
132
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
141
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
142
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
141
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
142
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
133
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
134
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
143
The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
143
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
135
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
144
This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
145
Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
144
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
145
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
136
As I think about scripture and how it defines us as disciples, I am often reminded of the
sermon on the mount. Be a disciple of Christ comes with so many truths from these passages.
Jesus starts by explaining He has fulfilled the law on our behalf, how we should love our
enemies to point back to our identity in Christ, and various other examples of what a true
disciple looks like. To me, it all leads to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV, “And
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we find our identity in Christ, we
then strive to make our own disciples. This leads to sharing the knowledge we have and helping
guide and point others to Jesus.
I am also reminded of Galatians 6:2 ESV, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ.” This passage points back to the greatest commandment. Mark 12:30-31 ESV,
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.” The love we have for God should pour out
into the relationships we have with people. This concept must be in place for true discipleship.
Practices/Plan for Developing Disciples
The plan I have in place to develop disciples flows directly from biblical principles. I think
we need to be intentional with all our relationships. Some of the greatest disciple relationships I
have had come from people that just “did life” with me. I think a specific strategy of developing
a meaningful schedule and calendar that fits discipleship into place is needed. Some things we
should focus on in those meeting is memorizing scripture, praying for each other, and reading
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through biblical material. We make more disciples by being intentional. Dempsey states, “You
want your group to grow not only in quantity but also in quality. If you focus on quality, you will
gain quantity as a by-product.”
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The more we focus on the individual and the quality of those
meetings, the more value we instill in those meetings. This in return should produce more fruit.
Not only do we need to focus on the quality, but also the frequency of meetings. If we
have no plan in place, we set ourselves up for failure. Matthew 25:18 ESV, “But he who had
received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” We see from
this passage that God does not intend for his gift of salvation to be kept and not shared. Rather,
He wants us to invest in the knowledge of salvation and use it to expand His kingdom.
My Conclusion
In conclusion, we must have a commitment to making disciples. When we live in a
mindset of costly grace, it is not that we do not believe in the gift of grace. I think it more-so
means we understand the value of that grace and are committed to full surrender to the One
who gave us that grace. Bonhoeffer states, “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without
repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without
confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without
discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ.”
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This
statement stood out most to me in contrasting the difference between cheap grace and costly
grace. True salvation comes with transformation. We do not act without being, nor do we be
without actions. It can be easy to crash and burn when we do not follow this systematic process
146
Rod Dempsey, “Participating in a Healthy Small Group,” in Spiritual Formation Is...: How to
Grow in Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2018), 169.
147
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003), 44.
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– Beliefs, Behaviors, Results. We do because we believe, and we produce because of Who we
serve.
I have found that discipleship comes with a cost. We cannot truly invest in someone else
if we have never been invested in ourselves. The gospel changes us, and we use that change to
point others to the source. This concept of discipleship is full denial of oneself and a preparation
for sacrifice. In the article Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship the author states, “The teaching
appears to make extraordinary demands on a disciple's family (14:26), own person (14:27), and
property (14:33). The question, however, is whether these, and 14:27 in particular, express an
"extreme case" (58) that a disciple might never be called upon to make but which, all the same,
they must be prepared to make.”
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Discipleship comes with a cost and we must be willing to
surrender all of our flesh to love God first, and love others.
Bibliography
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, ed. Martin Kuske et al., trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard
Krauss, vol. 4, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003)
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your
Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013)
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Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In Context: Biography
139
Llewelyn, Stephen Robert, and Will Robinson. "Hyperbole and the Cost of Discipleship: A Case
Study of Luke 14:26." Harvard Theological Review 116, no. 1 (2023): 44+. Gale In
Context: Biography (accessed October 12, 2023).
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A739467296/BIC?
u=vic_liberty&sid=summon&xid=fca0c563.
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