Teach Them Jesus with Building Bricks
Counting the Cost: The Tower Builder
Luke 14:25-33; Matthew 10:37; John 19:30; Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 1:6 New Testament PrinciplePerseverance
Huge crowds were following Jesus, and He turned and told them what following Him really means – loving Him most of all and carrying their cross. Then He told a story. "Which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough to finish it?" If he only laid the foundation, everyone would laugh – "This man couldn't finish what he started!" Following Jesus is worth everything, so we count the cost and keep going. And Jesus Himself counted the cost of saving us and finished the job on the cross.
Perseverance means keeping on, even when it's hard, until the job is done. We can keep following Jesus because He counted the cost of saving us, finished the work, and promises to finish His work in us.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 BSB
Christ Connection · The gospel
Jesus asked His followers to count the cost. He counted the greatest cost of all – His life – and finished the work of saving us: "It is finished" (John 19:30). Because He finished, He will carry on His good work in us "to completion" (Philippians 1:6).
John 19:30; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 1:6
The Big Story · Redemption
Sin broke the world, and saving it cost everything. Jesus counted that cost and finished the work on the cross, and now He calls us to follow Him all the way home.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: The half tower
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Towers that stand
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Tower race
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
Jesus helps me keep going.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Count and build, Color the tower
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Big crowds followed Jesus. He told them that following Him means loving Him most of all. Then He told a story about a builder who started a tower but couldn't finish, and everyone laughed. "Count the cost first," Jesus said. Following Jesus is worth it all! Jesus finished His work on the cross, and He helps us keep going.
Start here
Do "The half tower." Ask, "What should the builder have done first?" Say, "Jesus told a story just like that. Let's hear it!"
Bible story 6 min
Jesus was walking down the road. Lots and lots of people walked with Him.
Jesus turned around. He said, "If you want to follow Me, you must love Me most of all. Love Me even more than your mom and dad. Follow Me all the way."
Then Jesus told a story. "Say you want to build a tall tower. First you sit down and count. Do you have enough to finish it?"
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Count, then build 10 min
You’ll need: A tub of building bricks, Baseplates
- Show kids the parts list for the watchtower. Each pair counts out exactly the bricks they need before building.
- Pairs build the tower step by step. Did they have enough?
- When it's done, they say, "Finished! Jesus finished His work for us!"
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
Large crowds were following Jesus, many just for the miracles. He turned and told them that following Him means loving Him more than anyone, even more than their own lives, and carrying their cross. Then He asked, "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?" A builder who can't finish gets laughed at. Following Jesus is worth everything, so we count the cost and persevere. Jesus counted the cost of saving us, finished it on the cross, and promises to finish His work in us.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Count the cost, Tower race
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, in sports and games
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
As large crowds followed Him toward Jerusalem, Jesus turned and spelled out the cost of discipleship – loving Him above every other love, carrying one's cross and giving up everything. His two short parables, the tower builder and the outnumbered king, call for honest, clear-eyed commitment instead of shallow enthusiasm. Yet the One who said "count the cost" was Himself counting the cost of the cross, and He finished it – "It is finished." Our perseverance rests on His finished work and His promise to complete His work in us.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The cost and the One who finished, Counting my cost
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, online and on screens, at school
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Perseverance
The same principle in other Bible stories.
With NatureThe Parable of the SowerMatthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15; Mark 4:26-29Jesus told about a farmer who scattered seed on four kinds of ground. Only the good soil grew a big crop. God's Word is the seed, and when we hear it, hold on to it and keep going, God makes it grow in us.New TestamentPerseverance
Blind BartimaeusMark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43Blind Bartimaeus kept shouting for Jesus even when the crowd told him to be quiet. Jesus stopped, called him over and asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?" Jesus healed him, and Bartimaeus followed Jesus. Jesus hears us, so we keep coming to Him and never give up.New TestamentPerseverance
The Church BeginsShipwrecked!Acts 27:1-44; Jonah 1:4-5Paul was on a ship to Rome when a terrible storm raged for 14 days. Everyone lost hope, but God sent an angel to promise Paul that every person would live. Paul kept trusting God and encouraged everyone, and all 276 people made it safely to shore.New TestamentPerseverance
In the BeginningJoseph Goes to EgyptGenesis 37:1-36; Genesis 39:1-23Joseph's brothers sold him and he was thrown in prison, but the LORD was with Joseph every step of the way.Old TestamentPerseverance