Counting the Cost

Before we start today’s lesson, let’s do a fun activity to get us thinking. This game will help us understand what Jesus means when He says we need to count the cost before following Him.

Instructions for the Facilitator:
Divide the students into small groups. Give each group a stack of newspapers and a roll of tape. Their goal is to build the tallest free-standing tower using only these materials. Set a time limit of 10-15 minutes. As they build, walk around and observe their teamwork and strategy. Once time is up, have each group step back and see which tower is the tallest and most stable. If any towers collapse, discuss why that happened.

For full instructions, visit: Newspaper Tower Challenge Game

Has anyone ever started something but didn’t finish? Maybe you signed up for a sport but quit halfway through the season. Maybe you started a big school project and ran out of time. Or maybe you tried to learn a new skill, like playing an instrument, but gave up when it got hard. It’s easy to begin something when it seems fun and exciting, but finishing takes effort and commitment.

This game is a good example of that. At the start, building a newspaper tower seems simple. But once you begin, you realize it’s harder than it looks. If you didn’t plan well or work together, the tower may have fallen. Some of you probably had to stop and rethink your design. This is true in life too. We often jump into things without realizing the challenges ahead.

Sometimes we start things without realizing how hard they will be. Jesus tells us that following Him is a big commitment. It’s not always easy, and we need to be ready for challenges. Just like with your tower, if we aren’t prepared, we can struggle or even give up. Today, we’ll talk about what it means to count the cost of being a Catholic and how we can stay strong in our faith.

Read Luke 14:25-33 (True Discipleship), the Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C:

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’

Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.

In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus says something in Luke 14:25-33 that might sound confusing at first. He tells His followers they must “hate” their family if they want to follow Him. But Jesus does not mean we should dislike or reject our loved ones. That would go against everything He teaches about love. What He means is that nothing—not even family—should be more important than God. God must come first in our lives.

To help us understand this, Jesus gives two examples. The first is about building a tower. Imagine starting a big project without thinking about what you need. You wouldn’t just start stacking bricks without a plan, or you’d run out of materials and have to stop halfway.

The second example is about a king going to war. A king would not send his army into battle without first making sure they were strong enough to win. In both examples, Jesus is teaching us something important—before making a big decision, we need to think ahead and be prepared. Following Him is a big decision. It’s not something we should do without knowing what it takes.

How do these examples connect to following Jesus?

Think about your own life. What are some things that require preparation? Maybe you study before a test, train before a big game, or practice before a performance. You don’t just show up and expect to succeed. You get ready so you can do your best. The same is true for faith. Following Jesus is not always easy. It takes effort, and we need to be prepared for the challenges that come with it.

What are some challenges Catholics face today?

(Write student answers on the board or paper. If needed, give examples to start the discussion.)

• Peer pressure
• Being made fun of for faith
• Choosing between sports, activities, and church
• Social media distractions
• Staying committed to prayer

Being Catholic isn’t always easy. You might be the only person in your friend group who goes to Mass. Maybe people ask why you believe in God or make jokes about your faith. Sometimes, fun things happen at the same time as church, and you have to choose what’s more important. These are real struggles, and Jesus understands them. That’s why He tells us to think ahead and be ready.

Jesus never said following Him would be easy, but He did say it would be worth it. In John 16:33, He says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” That means He is always with us, even when it’s hard.

Just like an athlete trains before a big game, we can prepare for challenges in our faith. Here are some ways to stay strong:

• Pray daily. Talk to God and ask Him for strength.
• Read the Bible. Learn more about Jesus and His teachings.
• Go to Mass. Receiving the Eucharist brings us closer to Jesus.
• Find good Catholic friends. Support each other and encourage one another in faith.

Staying close to Jesus helps us make good choices when things get tough.

Let’s look at someone who truly lived out his faith—St. Maximilian Kolbe. He was a priest during World War II and was arrested for his faith. While in prison, he saw another man chosen to die, a man who had a wife and children. St. Maximilian stepped forward and offered to take his place. He gave up his life so someone else could live.

Most of us will never face a choice that extreme. But we can be brave in small ways every day. We can stand up for our faith, make good choices, and put God first. That is what counting the cost means. It’s about being ready to follow Jesus, no matter what.

Are you willing to count the cost? Are you ready to follow Jesus even when it’s hard? Think about how you can prepare and stay strong in your faith. Jesus is with you, and He will help you every step of the way.

Small groups are a great way for students to share their thoughts and learn from each other. Encourage everyone to participate, but let them speak at their own pace. There are no wrong answers—this is a chance to think about faith in a real and personal way. Ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation going. Remind students that listening is just as important as speaking.

• What does Jesus mean when He says we must “hate” our family to follow Him?
• Why do you think Jesus wants us to count the cost before following Him?
• What are some examples of sacrifices people make for their faith?
• Have you ever faced a challenge because of your faith? How did you handle it?
• What are some things that can make it hard to put God first in your life?
• How can prayer and Scripture help us stay strong in our faith?
• Who in your life encourages you in your faith? How do they help you?
• What are some small ways you can be brave in your faith every day?
• How can you support a friend who is struggling to follow Jesus?
• What is one thing you can do this week to grow closer to God?

What is one way you can stay strong in your faith this week? Think about a small but real step you can take. Maybe you can set aside time each day for prayer, even if it’s just a few minutes. Maybe you can read a passage from the Bible or make an effort to pay attention at Mass. You could choose to be kind to someone who needs encouragement or stand up for your faith in a small way. Whatever you choose, make it something you can stick to and ask God to help you follow through.

Following Jesus is worth it. He never promised an easy path, but He did promise to be with us always. When we take even small steps toward Him, He gives us the strength to keep going. If you struggle this week, don’t get discouraged—just keep trying. Jesus knows your heart, and He will help you. Stay close to Him, and you will grow stronger in your faith every day.

Let’s take a moment to pray and ask Jesus for strength. Close your eyes and focus on Him.

Jesus, help us follow You even when it’s hard. There are so many things that try to pull us away from You—distractions, fears, and the opinions of others. Give us the courage to put You first, even when we feel alone. Remind us that You are always with us, guiding and strengthening us.

Help us to make good choices each day. When we face challenges, give us wisdom to know what is right and the strength to do it. When we feel weak, remind us to turn to You in prayer. Surround us with people who encourage us in our faith and help us to be that support for others.

Thank You for loving us and calling us to follow You. We trust in Your plan for our lives. Lead us closer to You, step by step. Amen.

Themes for the Counting the Cost Lesson Plan

• Following Jesus is serious: Jesus asks His followers to make a real commitment. It is not just about words but about daily choices. Counting the cost means knowing that faith requires effort.
• God comes first: Jesus teaches that nothing should be more important than God. This includes family, friends, and personal goals. Counting the cost means being ready to put God above everything.
• Faith requires sacrifice: Being Catholic is not always easy. Sometimes, we must give up things that pull us away from God. Counting the cost means being willing to make sacrifices for our faith.
• Planning for challenges: Jesus uses examples of building a tower and going to war. These show that following Him takes preparation. We must think ahead and be ready for struggles.
• Trusting God in hard times: Life will bring difficulties, and faith can be tested. Jesus promises to be with us through everything. We can count on Him for strength.
• Choosing faith over popularity: Sometimes, people may not understand our beliefs. Following Jesus might mean standing alone. Counting the cost means staying faithful even when it is hard.
• Daily prayer gives strength: Prayer helps us stay close to God. It gives us wisdom and courage to make good choices. Without prayer, faith can become weak.
• The Eucharist strengthens us: Receiving the Eucharist brings us closer to Jesus. It gives us the grace to stay faithful. It helps us face the challenges of being Catholic.
• Good friends support faith: It is easier to follow Jesus when we have support. Catholic friends encourage us to make good choices. They help us stay strong when faith feels difficult.
• Saints are role models: Many saints faced struggles for their faith. They show us how to trust in God and stay strong. Their lives remind us that counting the cost is worth it.

Background Material for the Counting the Cost Lesson Plan

Jesus tells us in Luke 14:25-33 that following Him requires commitment. He says we must “hate” our family, but He does not mean we should actually dislike them. Instead, He means that God must come first in our lives. Jesus also gives two examples—a person building a tower and a king going to war. Both must think ahead and understand what they are doing. In the same way, we must understand that following Jesus is a serious choice. Counting the cost means being ready for challenges and putting our faith above everything else.

Throughout the Bible, we see that discipleship requires sacrifice. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This means we must be willing to give up things that pull us away from God. Sometimes, this may be small sacrifices, like choosing prayer over entertainment. Other times, it may mean bigger sacrifices, like facing criticism for our beliefs. Counting the cost means knowing that faith is not always easy, but Jesus is worth it.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that discipleship requires effort. CCC 1816 says, “The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it.” This means we cannot just believe in Jesus privately. We must live our faith in public, even when it is hard. Counting the cost means knowing that we may face difficulties for standing up for what we believe.

Many saints show us what it means to count the cost. St. Maximilian Kolbe gave his life for another prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. He knew following Jesus meant loving others, even to the point of death. St. Thomas More refused to go against his faith, even when it cost him his life. Most of us will not face these extreme situations, but we will still have moments when we must make hard choices. Counting the cost means following Jesus even when it is difficult.

The Church gives us ways to stay strong in our faith. Prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments help us when we struggle. The Eucharist strengthens us, giving us the grace to keep going. Good Catholic friends help us stay faithful when we feel alone. Counting the cost means using these gifts to stay close to God.

Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. But He did promise that He would be with us. In John 16:33, He says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Counting the cost reminds us that, even in hard times, Jesus is always with us. When we trust Him, we find the strength to stay faithful and keep going.

Music Suggestions for the Counting the Cost Lesson Plan

• Be Thou My Vision by David Arkenstone & Kathleen Fisher
• Lay It Down by Matt Maher
• I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin
• I Am Yours – Consume Me Completely by Trevor Thomson

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more lesson plans like the Counting the Cost lesson to help youth grow in faith? Our Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections page has many free resources. These lessons cover important topics like discipleship, prayer, and making good choices.

Teachers, catechists, and youth ministers can find easy-to-use plans for engaging discussions and activities. Each lesson helps young people connect their faith to real life. Visit our site to explore more ways to guide youth in following Jesus.