July 6 | Disciples Follow Jesus

Series | The Life of Discipleship

Scripture | Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Lesson 6 | Disciples Follow Jesus

The last of the three criteria that Jesus gave to be His disciple was to “follow Him.”  To follow a teacher in the times of Jesus meant a 100% sold out dedication to the leader’s teachings.  Likewise, whatever Jesus taught the disciples they were to fully believe and practice it.

Jesus reiterated this concept of being sold out to His teachings at the end of His ministry in John 14:15 when He said, “If you love me, keep my commands.”  To Jesus there was no such thing as a disciple that did not follow His example, teachings, and commands.  In other words, Jesus never made a “plan b;” it was always His way or no way.

After Jesus’ ascension to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to daily guide the disciples and lead them into all truth, John 14:26.  He also said through the Holy Spirit He, along with the Father, would make His home in the disciple’s life.  John 14:23, “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”

Therefore, even though we cannot physically see Jesus and follow Him from town to town like the first disciples, we can be led by the Holy Spirit every day and follow His example.  John wrote in 1 John 4:17, “In this world we are like Jesus.” 

Paul wrote in Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  Consequently, every disciple- for all times in all places, are to follow Jesus by obeying all His commands through the leading of the Holy Spirit! 

Reflection | Are you willing to follow Jesus by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit?

Action | (1) Repent of anything that keeps you from following Jesus 100%. (2) Ask the Holy Spirit to led you everyday in the ways of Jesus.  (3) Lastly, if you ever get out of step with Jesus, repent and return to walking in His footprints!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4, Acts 24:1-27, Psalm 4:1-8, & Proverbs 18:16-18. Click here to read online.