Introduction: What Does It Really Mean to Follow Jesus?
In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus encounters three different people who want to follow Him—or say they do. Each conversation reveals something important about what it truly means to follow Jesus. Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it—He makes it clear that following Him comes with sacrifice, commitment, and a willingness to put God’s Kingdom first. This is one of the most honest and challenging teachings in the Gospels, and it invites us to examine our own hearts and priorities.
For teenagers, this message is incredibly relevant. In a world that pushes comfort, popularity, and self-promotion, Jesus calls His followers to something deeper: to be fully committed to His mission, even when it costs us something. Whether it’s friendships, habits, or goals, following Jesus means letting Him lead every area of our lives. This lesson challenges teens to take that commitment seriously and personally.
Bible Reading 1: Luke 9:57-58
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Following Jesus sounds easy until it costs something: This man was eager to follow Jesus but hadn’t considered what it would mean. Jesus responds with a reality check: He didn’t even have a home. Being His disciple isn’t always comfortable or convenient.
- Comfort vs. Commitment: Jesus is honest—following Him might mean giving up security or comfort. This challenges us to think about what we’re willing to sacrifice for our faith. Are we still committed when it gets tough?
- True discipleship means trust: Trusting Jesus means going wherever He leads, even when we don’t have all the answers. We walk by faith, not by comfort.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus pointed out that He had no place to lay His head?
- What are some comforts or habits that might keep us from fully following Jesus?
- Would you still follow Jesus if it meant giving up something important to you?
Bible Reading 2: Luke 9:59-60
“He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Excuses vs. Urgency: This might sound harsh at first, but Jesus is making a bold point: the Kingdom of God comes first. The man wasn’t being asked to skip a funeral—he was likely saying, “Let me wait until my father dies someday.”
- Jesus isn’t saying family isn’t important—He’s saying following Him must come first. That doesn’t mean we abandon people, but it does mean our loyalty to Jesus takes priority over every other plan or expectation.
- We can’t delay obedience: Following Jesus is not something we do “later” when it’s more convenient. The time to respond to God’s call is now.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus gave such a strong response to the man’s request?
- Are there things you’ve told God you’ll do “later”? What holds you back from obeying right now?
- What does putting God’s Kingdom first look like in your everyday life?
Bible Reading 3: Luke 9:61-62
“Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Distractions and divided hearts: This man wanted to follow Jesus—but only after one more delay. Jesus responds with an image of a farmer plowing a field: if you keep looking back, you can’t plow straight ahead.
- Full focus on Jesus: Following Jesus means being “all in.” We can’t keep looking back at what we’re leaving behind. A half-hearted commitment won’t work in the Kingdom of God.
- Jesus wants our whole heart: This doesn’t mean we can’t love our families or friends—but Jesus is calling us to love Him first, with everything we have. He’s not interested in “maybe” or “someday”—He wants us to follow Him now, with our whole heart.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does Jesus mean by “putting your hand to the plow and looking back”?
- What are some things that can distract us from fully following Jesus?
- Is there something you need to leave behind to follow Jesus more closely?
Youth Group Game: “No Looking Back” Relay
Objective: To show how hard it is to stay on course when you’re distracted or looking back—just like Jesus described.
Materials Needed: Blindfolds, cones or markers for a zigzag path.
Instructions:
- Set up a short obstacle course or zigzag path.
- Participants must walk the course while keeping their head turned backward (or looking into a handheld mirror).
- Then have them try again while looking forward.
Debrief: Talk about how hard it was to stay straight when not looking forward. Connect it to Luke 9:62 and the idea of staying focused on Jesus without looking back.
Debrief Discussion Questions:
- What made it hard to stay on course in the game?
- How does that relate to following Jesus with a focused heart?
- What helps you keep your eyes on Jesus when life gets distracting?
Closing Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for calling us to follow You. Help us to understand what that really means and to respond with our whole hearts. Give us the courage to follow You even when it costs something. Help us not to look back, not to make excuses, but to put You first in everything. In Your name, Amen.”