Following Jesus: An ESL Bible Study on Luke 9:57-62

This Bible study series is for people who are learning English. It is designed for advanced beginner and intermediate learners, but children or adults who prefer simple English may also enjoy it. I also have a Sunday School lesson on Luke 9:57-62 that may work better for native English speakers.

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Luke 9:57-62 Printable Discussion Questions

Luke 9:57-62 Printable ERV Passage

Lesson Icebreaker Question

Have you ever had to choose between something you wanted to do and something you knew was more important?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn what it means to follow Jesus. We will hear about people who wanted to follow him, but made excuses. We will talk about why following Jesus is so important.

Vocabulary Lists for the ERV Bible Translation

Key Vocabulary Words (10 words)

bury: (verb) To put a dead body in the ground.
dead: (adjective) Not living anymore.
field: (noun) An open area of land.
follow: (verb) To go after someone.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
look back: (phrase) To turn your head to see what is behind you.
nest: (noun) A home that a bird builds.
plow: (verb) To use a large tool to turn the dirt on a farm so that seeds can be planted.
prepare: (verb) To get something ready.
Son of Man: (phrase) A special name Jesus used for himself to show he is the savior sent by God.

Important Words to Know (20 words)

anywhere: (adverb) In or to any place.
bury: (verb) To put a dead body in the ground.
dead: (adjective) Not living anymore.
family: (noun) A group of people who are related to each other.
field: (noun) An open area of land.
follow: (verb) To go after someone.
fox: (noun) A small wild animal like a dog with a bushy tail.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
hole: (noun) An opening or an empty space in something.
let: (verb) To allow something to happen.
look back: (phrase) To turn your head to see what is behind you.
Lord: (noun) A name that shows someone has power or authority.
nest: (noun) A home that a bird builds.
own: (adjective) Belonging to a specific person.
place: (noun) A specific area, room, or location.
plow: (verb) To use a large tool to turn the dirt on a farm so that seeds can be planted.
prepare: (verb) To get something ready.
rest: (verb) To stop working so you can get your strength back.
say goodbye: (phrase) To say a kind word when you are leaving someone.
Son of Man: (phrase) A special name Jesus used for himself to show he is the savior sent by God.

Complete Lesson Word Bank

along: (preposition) Moving in a line next to something.
another: (adjective) A different one.
begin: (verb) To start something.
bird: (noun) An animal with wings and feathers that can fly.
bury: (verb) To put a dead body in the ground.
dead: (adjective) Not living anymore.
family: (noun) A group of people who are related to each other.
field: (noun) An open area of land.
follow: (verb) To go after someone.
fox: (noun) A small wild animal like a dog with a bushy tail.
God: (noun) The creator and ruler of everything.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
head: (noun) The top part of the body with the brain and face.
hole: (noun) An opening or an empty space in something.
Jesus: (noun) The Son of God and the Savior of the world!
let: (verb) To allow something to happen.
look back: (phrase) To turn your head to see what is behind you.
Lord: (noun) A name that shows someone has power or authority.
must: (verb) To need to do something.
nest: (noun) A home that a bird builds.
own: (adjective) Belonging to a specific person.
place: (noun) A specific area, room, or location.
plow: (verb) To use a large tool to turn the dirt on a farm so that seeds can be planted.
prepare: (verb) To get something ready.
rest: (verb) To stop working so you can get your strength back.
road: (noun) A path for people or cars to travel on.
say goodbye: (phrase) To say a kind word when you are leaving someone.
Son of Man: (phrase) A special name Jesus used for himself to show he is the savior sent by God.
tell: (verb) To give information to someone by speaking.
travel: (verb) To go from one place to another.
will: (verb) A word used to talk about the future.

Summary of the Passage

This passage tells a story about people who wanted to follow Jesus. In the Bible, Jesus traveled to many places to teach people about God. Some people wanted to follow him and learn from him.

One man said he would follow Jesus everywhere. But Jesus explained that following him would be hard. He said that animals like foxes and birds have homes, but Jesus did not have a place to rest. This meant that following Jesus is not always easy or comfortable.

Jesus asked another man to follow him. But the man wanted to go bury his father first. Jesus told him to let the dead people bury their own dead. In those days, this could mean the father had just died, or it might mean the man wanted to stay home until his father passed away one day in the future. Jesus said this to show that telling people about God’s kingdom is the most important job. He wanted the man to choose a spiritual life first.

Another person wanted to follow Jesus too but asked to say good-bye to his family first. Jesus said that if someone starts to plow a field and keeps looking back, they cannot do their work well. He meant that followers of Jesus need to stay focused and not let other things get in the way.

This passage teaches us that following Jesus is the most important thing. It shows us that we should not let excuses or other plans stop us from doing what God wants.

Read The Passage

Most English learners should use the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV), or the Good News Translation (GNT). If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions.

Following Jesus
57 They were all traveling along the road.
Someone said to Jesus,
“I will follow you anywhere you go.”
58 He answered,
“The foxes have holes to live in.
The birds have nests.
But the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head.”
59 Jesus said to another man,
“Follow me!”
But the man said,
“Lord, let me go and bury my father first.”
60 But Jesus said to him,
“Let the people who are dead bury their own dead.
You must go and tell about God’s kingdom.”
61 Another man said,
“I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus said,
“Anyone who begins to plow a field but looks back is not prepared for God’s kingdom.”
Luke 9:57-62 (ERV)

Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 9:57-62 (ERV)
Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 9:57-62 (NIRV)
Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 9:57-62 (GNT)
Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 9:57-62 (NLT)
Hard: New International Version: Luke 9:57-62 (NIV)
Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 9:57-62 (ESV)

Luke 9:57-62 Printable ERV Passage

Comprehension Questions

What did the first man say to Jesus?
What did Jesus tell the first man about animals and himself?
What did the second man want to do before following Jesus?
What did Jesus tell him about burying the dead?
What did the third person want to do before following Jesus?
What example did Jesus give about a plow?
What does Jesus want people to do when they follow him?

Application Questions

What are some things that sometimes stop people from following Jesus today?
Why do you think Jesus wants us to stay focused on him?
Is there something you find hard to give up to follow God?
What can help you follow Jesus even when it is hard?

Theological Insights

Jesus teaches that following him is not always easy, but it is worth it.
God wants us to put him first in our hearts and lives.
When we follow Jesus, we should not let other things become more important than him.
God calls his people to tell others about his kingdom.
Jesus uses simple stories to teach deep truths about faith and life.