Parable of Counting the Cost — KJV Bible Study Guide
A free 10-lesson Bible study guide on parable of counting the cost, drawn entirely from the King James Version. Each lesson opens with a study question, gives the verse reference, and offers a short teaching note. Use it for personal devotions, a small group, or a Sunday school class.
The 10 lessons
Lesson 1 · Luke 14:28 (KJV)
What does Jesus ask about building a tower?
Answer: Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Study note. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luke 14:28)
Lesson 2 · Luke 14:29 (KJV)
What happens if the builder lays the foundation but cannot finish?
Answer: All that behold it begin to mock him
Study note. Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him. (Luke 14:29)
Lesson 3 · Luke 14:30 (KJV)
What do the mockers say?
Answer: This man began to build, and was not able to finish
Study note. Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (Luke 14:30)
Lesson 4 · Luke 14:31 (KJV)
What does Jesus compare to a king going to war?
Answer: What king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Study note. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:31)
Lesson 5 · Luke 14:32 (KJV)
What does the king do if he cannot win?
Answer: He sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace
Study note. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. (Luke 14:32)
Lesson 6 · Luke 14:33 (KJV)
What does Jesus say about being His disciple?
Answer: Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple
Study note. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)
Lesson 7 · Luke 14:34 (KJV)
What does salt losing its savour illustrate?
Answer: A disciple who loses his commitment is useless
Study note. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 14:34-35)
Lesson 8 · Luke 14:26 (KJV)
What must a disciple hate?
Answer: His father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also
Study note. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)
Lesson 9 · Luke 14:27 (KJV)
What must a disciple bear?
Answer: His cross, and come after me
Study note. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27)
Lesson 10 · Luke 14:35 (KJV)
What does Jesus close with?
Answer: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear
Study note. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 14:35)
Key verses to memorize
The passages this study returns to most often — pick one or two and commit them to memory this week.
Discussion questions
- Which lesson in this study surprised you the most, and why?
- How does parable of counting the cost point us to Jesus Christ and the gospel?
- Pick one verse from the key passages above. How does it shape the way you will pray, read, or live this week?
- Who in your life could you share one of these truths with in the next seven days?