Element Christian Church
Never Read A Bible Verse* - Week 4: Hate Yo Parents
Welcome to part 2 of our series: Never Read A Bible Verse* *without context
Locations & Times
Element Christian Church
4890 Bethany Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
Welcome to Element
We strive to ensure the biggest thing people think when they hear about Element is Jesus! We aim to glorify God by teaching and living out the Scriptures, transforming community into Gospel Community, and planting churches.
Mother Daughter Soap Making
This is the second event in our series of parent-child events taking place throughout the 25-26 school year. We are inviting all moms and daughters to come participate in a soap making workshop on Saturday October 18th at 3:30pm.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1027573eKids Gospel Quest
Calling all 3rd-5th grade students who are ready to quest deeper into who Jesus is through Scripture, community, and activities. See details at link below:
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/993408Classics Masquerade Party
All those 60+ are invited to a Masquerade party full of games, laughter, and food! Costumes encouraged. See details at link below:
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1064806Youth Bowling Night
6th-12th grade students are invited out for a night of bowling! See full details and reserve your spot at the link below:
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/10220594th Friday Film and Fun
Save your child's spot for October's 4th Friday Film & Fun night here:
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/844019Save the Date - Pumpkin Killin is Coming!
Join us Sunday, October 26th, for an afternoon of pumpkin carving, painting, eating, and of course, shooting out of canons! More details coming.
Download Missions Update
Download our Missions Update with corresponding links.
https://ourelement.org/downloads/2025/2025_7_24_MissionsUpdate.pdfSubscribe to Email Update
Get a recap of all the important dates and information we think you want to know every Wednesday.
https://ourelement.org/contact-us/Start serving at Element
If you are looking for a way to meet more people at Element or feel more connected, one of the easiest ways is to start serving. From once a month for 15 minutes, to helping in our classrooms for a longer time, we have needs to fit your gifts.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/395779Download the Church Center App
Stay in the loop with Element's calendar of events, group sign ups, online giving, and other links all in one app!
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/setupThis week's song list
Interested in looking for some of the songs we sang this week? Here's the titles and original artists:
Always Holding on - Gateway Worship
Rock of Ages - The Modern Post
We Crown You - Jeremy Riddle
More Like Jesus - Passion
Living Hope - Phil Wickham
Made Alive - Citizens
Always Holding on - Gateway Worship
Rock of Ages - The Modern Post
We Crown You - Jeremy Riddle
More Like Jesus - Passion
Living Hope - Phil Wickham
Made Alive - Citizens
Never Read A Bible Verse* Part 2 *without context
Week 4 - Hate Yo Parents
In Luke 14:25-27, Jesus uses shocking language—calling His followers to "hate" their families—to emphasize that discipleship requires total allegiance to Him above all else. The Greek word translated "hate" (miseo) is comparative, meaning we're to love Christ more than even our closest relationships. Jesus isn't anti-family; He's calling us to properly order our loves.
Week 4 - Hate Yo Parents
In Luke 14:25-27, Jesus uses shocking language—calling His followers to "hate" their families—to emphasize that discipleship requires total allegiance to Him above all else. The Greek word translated "hate" (miseo) is comparative, meaning we're to love Christ more than even our closest relationships. Jesus isn't anti-family; He's calling us to properly order our loves.
1. The cost of following Jesus is real—it may strain relationships and require sacrifice—but it's not reckless. What we gain in Christ far surpasses anything we surrender.
2. Family is a beautiful gift from God, but it cannot substitute for Him.
3. Jesus doesn't ask us to pay any cost He hasn't already paid Himself— He endured the cross so we could be adopted into God's eternal family.
2. Family is a beautiful gift from God, but it cannot substitute for Him.
3. Jesus doesn't ask us to pay any cost He hasn't already paid Himself— He endured the cross so we could be adopted into God's eternal family.
Discussion Questions
• What was your initial reaction when you heard Jesus' words about "hating" family? Does understanding the comparative meaning change your perspective on this passage?
• Where do you see family idolatry showing up in your own life or in broader culture? How does it "masquerade as loyalty"?
• Jesus asks His followers to "count the cost" before committing to discipleship. What are some costs you've experienced (or anticipate) in following Jesus? What have you gained?
• How can grounding our identity in Christ give us freedom to address dysfunction rather than perpetuate it?
• Is there something you're currently holding onto—a relationship, dream, expectation, or comfort—that you know Jesus is inviting you to surrender? What makes it hard to let go?
• How does remembering that Jesus paid the ultimate cost (the cross) change how you approach the costs of discipleship in your own life?
• For parents: How can you celebrate and invest in your family without making them your "whole world"? For singles: How does this passage speak to any idolization of marriage or family you might be carrying?
• What was your initial reaction when you heard Jesus' words about "hating" family? Does understanding the comparative meaning change your perspective on this passage?
• Where do you see family idolatry showing up in your own life or in broader culture? How does it "masquerade as loyalty"?
• Jesus asks His followers to "count the cost" before committing to discipleship. What are some costs you've experienced (or anticipate) in following Jesus? What have you gained?
• How can grounding our identity in Christ give us freedom to address dysfunction rather than perpetuate it?
• Is there something you're currently holding onto—a relationship, dream, expectation, or comfort—that you know Jesus is inviting you to surrender? What makes it hard to let go?
• How does remembering that Jesus paid the ultimate cost (the cross) change how you approach the costs of discipleship in your own life?
• For parents: How can you celebrate and invest in your family without making them your "whole world"? For singles: How does this passage speak to any idolization of marriage or family you might be carrying?