Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 4
He contrasts modern Christians (whose “actions fall way below our words”) with early Christians described through *Martyrs’ Mirror* whose actions “went before them”; what do you think early Christians assumed Christianity would cost them in daily life that many modern believers assume it should not cost?
Another way to ask: Early Christians expected following Jesus to cost them something, even in daily life. What kinds of costs do you think they expected that many Christians today don’t expect?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript doesn’t list specific daily “costs,” but it strongly implies early Christians expected their faith to be proven by costly, visible obedience—where their reputation was built more by what they did than what they said. By contrast, modern believers often assume strong words and good intentions are sufficient even when actions lag.
- He observes, “in our day and age… our actions fall way below our words,” even if we “speak good words.”
- He contrasts this with early Christians: in *Martyrs’ Mirror*, “their actions went before them… almost greater than their words.”
- He uses 1 John: “not love in word or in talk, but in deed and in truth,” implying real love has an embodied cost.
- He frames discipleship as self-denial: “our life is not our own,” expanding into “every area of life.”
- He later highlights hardship in community: unity requires “mutual submission,” quick forgiveness, patience, and hospitality—all of which “takes work… money… time.”