Like these old world trades, Jesus' disciples learned their "trade" of being a disciple by living and working alongside Jesus. In groups we read Luke 14:25-35. Each group wrote down three characteristics of a disciple they found in this passage, along with one question they had about the passage. We discussed how Jesus used hyperbole when he said we must hate our parents, siblings and even ourselves. What Jesus means is that compared to how much we love God, it should look like we hate everyone else! We talked about the reasons some people don't become Christians and live as disciples of Christ. The youth had some really great questions that we tackled together as a group to answer!
Together we discussed ways we can live out our roles as disciples of Jesus while we are at school and at home. Then we each received a piece of fabric. With a fabric marker, we each wrote down one thing God is calling us to do to be better disciples. I challenged everyone to keep this piece of fabric with them throughout the week to remind them to work on what they wrote down. If they bring the piece of fabric back with them next Sunday night and can report on how they have worked on being a better disciple this week, they will get a new FUMC T-shirt!
What is God calling you to do to be a better disciple?