What does it mean to “follow” Jesus? – Mark 8:34
“Contrary to what many assume, Jesus did not invite people to convert to Christianity. He didn’t even call people to become Christians; he invited people to apprentice under him (to follow him) into a whole new way of living. To be transformed.” J.M. Comer
What do most men think they’re signing up for when they become a Christian? What’s the difference between a “Christian”, a “disciple”, and a “follower”?
Peter’s following. What would cause a man to reorder his entire life around following Jesus as the undisputed top priority, over his job, his money, his reputation—over everything? (Jn 7:37-38, 10:10; 1Cor 2:9; Eph 3:20; Phil 3:8)
Has my encounter with Christ caused me to rearrange my life under His way?
To follow Jesus is to become his apprentice. It’s to organize your entire life around three driving goals: Be with Jesus, Become like him, Do as he did. It’s not a program but a progression. There is a sequence…
Be with Jesus
To cultivate a with-ness to Jesus as the baseline of your entire life. (John 15:5-11)
What does it mean to abide? How do I abide in Jesus? (Jn 14:16, 20, 26; Matt 6:6, 11:28; Mk 1:35, 6:31; Luke 10:38-42; Psalm 16:8, 46:10; Col 3:2; 2Cor/ 3:18; Psalm 27:4; Eph 3:14-19)
“There is so much we can’t do in our spiritual formation; we cannot fix or heal or transform ourselves. But we can do this: We can be with Jesus. We can pause for little moments throughout our days and turn our hearts toward Jesus in silent prayer and love. You can do this—if you are willing to practice.” Comer
What are you doing to pursue God? What do you need to eliminate from your life to make space for the pursuit of God?
– The reward for following Jesus is Jesus –
Become like Him
If you had to summarize Christlike character in one word, what would it be? (Mark 1:41, 5:19, 6:34, 8:2, 15:33-39)
Spiritual formation is the process of being formed into PEOPLE OF LOVE in Christ. (Mt 22:40; 1Cor 13; Col 3:14)
Am I quick to obey God and do life His way? (Jn 14:21-24)
Am I active in taking the initiative, acting sacrificially, and meeting the real needs of others? (1Jn 4:10; Phil 2:3-4)
Do as He did
The final goal of an apprentice is to carry on the work of the master. (Mk 6:7; Mt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
What have we seen Jesus doing so far in the gospel of Mark? (Mark 1:15, 27, 34, 38; 2:15-16; 5:34, 42, Luke 4:18-19)
Where did Jesus get the strength and power to do the things He did? (Luke 4:1, 14; John 14:12-17)
What would Jesus do if he were me? Who does God want to bless through me? (Matt 11:29; Gal 2:20; 5:16, 25)
To follow Jesus, then, means walking alongside him in a posture of listening, learning, observation, obedience, and imitation.