Our story takes place on the set of a television game show…
“Welcome to today’s show. You are watching Who Wants to be a Disciple of Jesus? the game show that gives contestants the opportunity to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m your host, Emanuel.”
“And now here is our first contestant, a man by the name of Joseph. Welcome Joseph to Who Wants to be a Disciple of Jesus?”
And on to the stage walks a very well dressed man in is min-twenties. The audiences applauds as he sits down at the desk across from Emanuel.
“Thank you Emanuel.” says Joseph.
“So it says here that your occupation is a ‘ruler’,” Emanuel inquires.
“Yes, they call me the rich young ruler.”
“And you have always had a desire to be a disciple of Jesus?”
“Yes, Emanuel. Ever since I heard about Jesus I have been intrigued by him and his teaching. There’s something that keeps drawing me to him, but I do not know how to explain it.”
“I understand Joseph. So you have been faithful in obeying all the laws of Moses?
“Yes Emanuel, since I was a child.”
“Then this game should not be difficult for you?
“I would think so.”
“OK then Joseph, lets get to our first question.”
“Your first question for 10 points: How much of a disciple’s possessions should he be willing to give up in serving Jesus? Is the answer:”
A. Nothing
B. A few things
C. Half of all he owns
or D. Everything.
“What do you think Joseph?”
“Let me see. I do not think it is ‘A’ Or ‘D’ It is either ‘B’ or ‘C’. I think I will go with ‘C’.”
“Is that your final answer Joseph, ‘C’?”
“Yes, the answer is ‘C’.”
“OK. let’s find out what the answer is. Is it ‘C’? Is it…The answer is ‘D’. I’m sorry Joseph the answer is ‘D’; a disciple must be willing to part with all of his possession.”
“How could that be,” Joseph complained, “That would be too much to give away. I’m rich you know. How could anyone do that?”
“Well, Joseph,” as Emanuel approached him and shook his hand. “I’m sorry, but thank you for joining us on Who Wants to be a Disciple of Jesus?.”
And with that Joseph walks sadly of the stage.
“And our next constant,” states Emanuel, “is a fisherman from Galilee.” Let’s welcome Peter.
Then big burly fisherman comes running in and the audience cheers!
“Welcome Peter to Who Wants to be a Disciple of Jesus?”
“Thank you Emanuel!”
“Tell us Peter,” asked Emanuel. “You have been a fisherman all your life haven’t you?”
“That’s true Emanuel.”
“But now you want to be one of Jesus’ disciples?”
“That’s right Emanuel. I heard Jesus preach a number of times while I been working along the coast of the sea of Galilee. He is th real deal. I watched him restore sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and the ability to walk to those who were lame. He goes to where he people are and minister to the rich and poor alike. If he’s looking for disciples then I want to be one.”
“Well, that’s great Peter,” responds Emanuel. “You may be just to kind of person that Jesus is looking for. Let’s get started with the first question.”
“OK, I ready,” says Peter.
“All right Peter, here is your first question, for 10 points: By what practice will all men know you are one of Jesus’ disciples? Is it:”
A: Tithing
B. Attending gatherings every Sunday
C. Loving one another
or D. Going from house to house a urging people to attend to Jesus’ ministry events
“What is your answer Peter?”
Peter answered, “Humm, they all seem important.”
“Yes, they all seem to be good answers, but which one is the one thing that Jesus would want you to do?”
“I think it ‘D’, Emanuel.”
“Are you sure Peter? Is ‘D. Going from house to house’ your answer?”
“No, I’m not sure.” responded Peter. “Something is telling me that its ‘C. Loving one another’. That it. I’m going with ‘C’.”
“OK. Peter, your answer is ‘C’.”
“That’s right Emanuel.”
“OK and the answer is…the answer is ‘C’. Peter, you are correct. You have earned 10 points.”
Peter laughs as the audience applauds.
“Oh I almost missed it,” said Peter.
“But thankfully you received some divine guidance,” said Emanuel
“Amen, Emanuel!”
“All right then Peter, here is your second question for 20 points. Complete this sentence: Whoever doesn’t bear his own ______, and come after me, can’t be my disciple. Is the answer:”
A. Luggage
B. Cross
C. Bible
D. Family
“What is your answer Peter?”
“What is the question again,” ask Peter.
“Complete this sentence: Whoever doesn’t bear his own ______, and come after me, can’t be my disciple.”
“Perhaps it is ‘D. Family’. I know how hard it is to bear with one’s family especially since I’m always coming home smelling like fish.”
The audience roars with laughter.
“That is your answer then Peter, ‘D’?”
“Ah, ah, I’m getting second thoughts here. It is either…it’s either ‘B’ or ‘C’. I’ll go with…Ill… Ill go with ‘B. Cross’,” says Peter.
“So it is ‘B’. ‘B’ is your answer Peter,” asks Emanuel.
“That’s right,” answers Peter.
“All right. The answer is…It is..’B’. Your correct again Peter! You have now earned 20 more points for a total of 30,” responds Emanuel. “You are doing very well.”
“Yes, I’m doing well but these questions are much harder than I thought they would be,” Peter replies.
“Let’s move on then to your third question Peter. This is worth 40 points. According to Jesus, what subject would his disciples come to know if they remained in his word and the result of understanding this subject would set them free? Is this subject:”
A. Baptism
B. Communion
C. Life after death
or D. Truth
“What is your answer Peter?”
“Let’s see…” responds Peter. “I would like to use one of my lifelines and ask the audience.
All right,” says Emanuel. “Audience, what do you say?
Some in the audience respond “Baptism”, but most of the others shout “Truth”.
Then Peter says, “ I’ll go with ‘D. Truth’.
“All right Peter,” replies Emanuel. Is ‘D’ your answer?”
“Yes, Emanuel, it is D”.
“And the answer is..it is ‘D’. Congratulations Peter you have earned 40 more points for a total of 70.”
And to the audience Peter say, “Thank you, thank you!”
“Did you think the answer was ‘Truth’”, asks Emanuel.
“No,” said Peter. “I though it was ‘Life after death’.”
“So you were wise to seek help from the audience. And let’s go to your forth question, for 80 points: Jesus said that if a person abides in him and his word abides in that person then that person can ask God for ________ and it will be done for him. What could he be asking for:
A. Long life
B. Whatever he desires
C. Protection by angels
or D. a donkey.
“What is your answer Peter?”
“Let’s see. I remember that Jesus borrowed a donkey once. So it must be ‘D’,” Peter responded.
“So your answer is, ‘D’, Peter?”
“Ah..No, Emanuel, I think I’ll go with..I’ll go with ‘B’.”
“So your answer is ‘B’?”
“That’s right.”
“OK, Peter,” says Emanuel. “And the answer is…’B’. You are correct again Peter You have earned another 80 points for a total of 150!”
“That was close,” Peter said.
“And you do you still want to continue,” asks Emanuel.
“Yes,” replied Peter.
Very well then, on to your fifth question, for 150 points: What item produced by Jesus’ followers brings glory to the Father and proves that they are his disciples; is it:”
A. Mana
B. Fruit
C. Wine
or D. Loafs and fishes
“What is your answer Peter?”
“This is a tricky one. I think I better use one of my lifelines and call my friend and co-worker John.” Peter requests.
“He is a fisherman like yourself,” asks Emanuel.
“Yes,” Peter answers.
Let’s give him a call. The phone is ringing…
“Hello,” says the voice at the other end of the line.
“John! This is Peter… I need your help.”
“Go ahead, Peter.” John replies.
“John, what item produced by Jesus’ followers brings glory to the Father and proves that they are his disciples; is it Mana, Fruit, Wine or Loafs and fishes?”
John answers, “Mana!”
Peter replies, “Are you kidding me!”
John says, “I’s sorry, it is ah…it is fruit!”
“Thank you, John. My answer is ‘B. fruit’,” says Peter.
“That’s your answer Peter, ‘B’ asks Emanuel.”
“That’s right, ‘B’.”
“OK, then for 150 points the answer is…it is ‘B’. Congratulations Peter you have now earned a total of 300 points.
“Now Peter,” states Emanuel. If you want to stop now you can stop now and exchange your points for a cash prize.”
“No Emanuel,” says Peter, “I want to continue.”
“OK Peter, here is your sixth question for 300 points: Jesus said,”He who finds his ____ will lose it; and he who loses his ____ for my sake will find it. How would you fill in these blanks? Is it:”
A. Cross
B. Talent
C. Donkey
or D. Life
“What is your answer Peter?”
“Humm…maybe its ‘A’….no, no; I’m going to go with ‘D. Life’.”
“You think it is ‘Life’?”
“That’s right Emanuel,” responds Peter.
“And your sure is not ‘C. Donkey’?”
“I’m positive it not ‘Donkey’, Emanuel,” replies Peter.
“OK, and the answer is…it is ‘D’. You are right once again Peter. Congratulations, you have not earned 600 points!”
“You have just two more question, Peter are you ready for you next question?”
“Yes Emanuel.”
All right, here is your seventh question for 600 points, which one of these items could not be greater in importance to you than Jesus; is it:
A. Any purpose
B. Any possession
C. Any person
or D. A. B. and C.
“What is your answer Peter?”
“I’ll go with ‘D’, that there should not be any greater purpose, possession or person in the life of a disciple than Christ. “Is ‘D’ then your answer Peter?”
“Yes Emanuel.”
“OK, then for 600 points the answer is…it is ‘D’. Congratulations Peter you have now earned a total of 1200 points.
“You are really doing well Peter. And you have just one question left. Do you want to continue; do you still want to become a disciple of Jesus,” asks Emanuel.
“Yes, Emanuel, I’m going go for it,” responds Peter.
OK then Peter, here is your final question for 1200 points and the opportunity to become a disciple of Jesus: How did Jesus complete this statement, “Most assuredly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the gospel’s sake, but he will receive… Is it:”
A. nothing in return
B. a return of equal amount
C. 10 times as much
D. 100 times as much
“What is your answer Peter?”
“I would like to use my lifeline to call my brother Andrew, Peter responds.
“OK, let’s call Andrew,” say Emanuel.
We hear the phone ringing…and then Andrew answers, “Hello”
Peter shouts, “Andrew! This is Peter. I’m on the last question! I’m on the last question! Tell me what you think the answer is: any one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for Jesus’ and the gospel’s sake, will receive either:”
A. noting in return
B. a return of equal amount
C. 10 times as much
D. 100 times as much
“Which one is it, ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, or ‘D'”
Andrew responds, “Ah…ah…ah I would go with ‘D. 100 times as much’.”
“OK, thank you Andrew. My answer Emanuel is ‘D’.”
“All right Peter. Are you sure. This is the last question. I want you to be sure,” Emanuel asks.
“I’m sure Emanuel.”
“OK, then let us see the answer…it is…it is…it is ‘D’. You have won Peter! Congratulations, you have earned the opportunity to become a disciple of Christ Jesus!
The end
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