Cost

Book excerpt: Cost is an all church study that encourages Christ followers to count the cost for following. In Luke 14:25-33 Jesus turns to the large crowds who were following him and encouraged them to count the cost for following. Discipleship, Jesus teaches, is just like building a tower or going to war; one must consider the price before committing to the task. Perhaps no other disciple understood this better than the apostle and gospel writer, Matthew. In the book that bears his name, this former tax collector talks of treasure, money, value, riches, and giving more than any other gospel writer. And thereby, he gives us a guide for counting the cost. In this five-week study, “Cost” will help you discover the price for following Christ. Each week will guide us as we ... Consider the obstacle money and riches can be when it comes to following Jesus Study Jesus’ teaching about what we treasure and how that reveals our hearts Talk about the value we place on the kingdom and following Jesus Think about our stewardship and how we invest for the master’s kingdom View our resources as our best opportunity to worship our Lord In the end, we will be challenged as a congregation to put our money where our mouth is when it comes to being a fearless church of Christ followers. Are you ready to consider the cost? Mike Baker is in his 13th year as the Sr. Pastor of Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington/Normal Illinois. Coming as the youth pastor in 1995, he often says, he and the church have grown up together. He loves his wife of 33 years, Sara, and his grown sons and daughters-in-law. His tattoo artist son Mikey is married to Monica and they have blessed him with four grandkids: Ian, Ella, Eli, and the miracle Israel. His youth pastor/preacher son Caleb is married to Jessica and they have blessed him with a granddaughter named Sophia. Mike loves preaching, running, writing, laughing, and travel. Jason Sniff currently serves as pastor of small groups at Eastview Christian Church. He is husband to an amazing wife of 18 years, and the father of 6 very crazy but equally awesome kids. Jason lives on the edge of Normal. Jason loves being a part of what God is doing in the church.