Lord of My Life

Go Deeper This Week
Scripture and questions for study and reflection:
Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.

1. Each week throughout this sermon series there has been a new question. Zach Zehnder says this week’s question is the most challenging:“Am I willing to follow Jesus as my Lord?” What does this question mean to you?

2. Zehnder says something in this week’s session that is a version of what I first heard Kyle Idleman say in the “Not a Fan” study. Zehnder says, “Christians in America are content with God being their Savior, but uncomfortable with Him being their Lord.” What do you think he means by this? Do you agree? Does this ever apply to you?

3. In today’s Scripture passage, why do you think Elisha slaughtered his oxen and burned the plowing equipment?

4. In Luke 9:62 Jesus says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” What did Jesus mean by this? Is this the reason Elisha slaughtered his oxen and burned his equipment?

5. Zehnder quotes martyred German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer when he said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” What do you think he meant by this? How does it apply to today’s passage and message?

6. What do you need to leave behind, burn or die to in order to more fully follow Jesus?

7. Zehnder says, “Many people never get to truly experience the joy of following Jesus because they don’t leave good enough behind. What do you think he means by that? What is “good enough”? Does Jesus want you to settle for “good enough”?

8. Jesus is clear in the Scriptures that there is a cost to following him; a cost to being his disciple. But Zehnder is emphatic that the joy of following Jesus greatly outweighs the cost. Do you agree? What might some of the costs be? What are some of the joys?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious and loving God, forgive us for the times that we have looked backed, settled for good enough, and failed to fully love and trust you. Help us as we move forward to not just believe in you as Savior, but truly follow you as Lord of our lives. Remind us that the joy of following you is always greater than the cost, so that we may faithfully follow you all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.