What does it mean to follow Jesus?

To follow Jesus, one who has trusted Jesus Christ as his or her Savior will actively choose to grow in their relationship with him.  For some, as soon as they read that first sentence their eyes will sort of glaze over and they will intone the words somewhat like a mantra: “Read your Bible and pray every day.”

There is nothing wrong with that simple instruction, except for the fact that it has become so commonplace that it has lost most of its meaning and impact.  The reality is that reading one’s Bible and regular prayer are part of following Jesus, but do not give us the entire picture.

To follow Jesus means to learn from his words and his example.  A follower of Christ will actively change their lifestyle so that it reflects the principles of living taught by Jesus and explained in the rest of the New Testament.  A Christ follower will learn what it means to love others the way God shows his love to them.  One who follows Jesus will actively strive to develop the characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). 

All too often those of us who have been professing Christians for many years have fallen into the trap of thinking that if we read our Bible, pray and go to church somewhat consistently that we are doing the basics.  Then if we serve in the church, we are moving up the ladder.  The sad reality is that we can all too easily go through the motions of being a Christian and yet never truly follow Jesus.  (Matthew 7:21-23 is a passage we all need to read and ponder.)

Woven into the fabric of the Gospel of John are three characteristics of one who follows Jesus Christ, or a disciple.   Jesus said that we are really his disciples if we “hold to his teaching” (John 8:31-32.)  A better translation is to abide in him or continue to follow his teaching.   The second characteristic of a disciple is that we “love one another” (John 13:34-35).  The third mark of a disciple is that we “bear fruit” (John 15:8), or are productive for God.

While we are going to look at each of those characteristics on their own, for this week we will focus on one reality.  A follower of Jesus, a true disciple, is striving each day to live his or her life in a manner that is patterned after the teachings and principles by which Jesus lived his earthly life.

Today’s Tip

Take some time to reflect on your relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is one area where he has changed you?

What is one area that you know needs to change so you can grow in your relationship to Jesus?

Ask God to help you to change and then write out some specific ways that you can begin to make the changes.  Each step should be small and easy to achieve.  Ask someone who will be honest with you (spouse, friend, sibling, etc.) to review your list of steps and to help hold you accountable. 

Next week:  What does it mean to abide in Christ (John 8:31-32)?

What makes a person a disicple of Jesus Christ?

This week’s question is foundational to our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.  One would think such a simple question would result in a simple answer, and it should.

The simple answer to our question this week is: Anyone who puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior, is a disciple.

I can hear the objections now, because I have heard them before.  Some will claim that only the 12 who left everything and followed Jesus are disciples.  Others will say that only vocational Christian workers like pastors and missionaries are disciples.  Still others will claim that one can be a believer in Jesus but not necessarily be a disciple.

Our best approach will be to trace briefly the use of the term disciple in the Gospels and Acts and let the Word of God be the final word in our definition.

In the New Testament the term disciple is used of one who follows a leader or teacher.  There are disciples of Moses (John 9:28); disciples of John the Baptist (Mark 9:14); and even disciples of the Pharisees (Matthew 22:15-16).  It is also interesting to note that at the end of John 6 after Jesus has spoken some very hard words to the crowds that “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6:66). 

 A disciple is one who follows the teaching of Jesus.

Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19  is to “make disciples.”  Simply put we are to make followers of Jesus.  One will only follow another if they believe in that person. 

Our understanding of what it means to be a disciple is enhanced in the book of Acts. After the meteoric growth of believers in Acts 2 and 4 we find a problem in Acts 6.  There was inequity in food distribution.  Mature, godly men were chosen to manage this problem and after it was solved we discover that “the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (Acts 6:7).  It seems clear that Luke is talking about new believers.

The Christian life is a journey that begins with a single step of belief in the fact that Jesus Christ has paid for my sins on the cross, and is the only means to eternal life.  By taking that step of belief, I begin a life long process of following Jesus.

It is that simple and yet profound act of faith that initially makes a person a disciple.

Today’s Tip

Reflect and even write out a brief timeline of your life.  This does not have to be long and involved, but it can be simply a few highlights.  Specifically, think about when you realized that you had put your faith and trust for your life in Jesus Christ. 

For some this will be a moment in time when you made a decision.  For others it will be the result of a process in the journey of life until you realized you had turned from unbelief to belief.  No matter what your story, it is good to look at when you discovered that personal faith in Jesus Christ was what you were looking for. 

Then ask yourself this question:  Since I began following Jesus, what has changed in my life?

Today’s tip: Review Your Personal Journey with Jesus

Consider sharing your timeline with your traveling partner on this Journey of Faith.

Next week we will explore the question:

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

A new approach

Welcome to a different approach for learning about being a follower of Jesus Christ.

In over 25 years of ministry at various levels questions about discipleship have surfaced at one time or another as I have worked with both students and adults.  Over the past year I have been thinking and praying about what it means to follow Christ in a very practical way.  This journey began as we contemplated the idea of being a fully engaged follower of Christ as part of the goal for everyone who attends Pleasant Hill Community Church. 

The purpose of this blog will be to invite each person into a continual conversation on discipleship.  To that end this material will be printed in the bulletin, emailed to our local list and posted on a blog on our web page.  It is my desire that we each grow in our understanding of what it means to follow Christ in a deeply personal way.

“Aren’t there already good programs in existence about discipleship?” Good Question.

Yes, there are many good programs in existence and they have a place in the process of preparing and  training people to be more effective in following Jesus.  However, there are draw backs as well.  For instance discipleship is a life long process and cannot be mastered in 13 weeks of lessons or several small group meetings.

Together we will discover that discipleship is in many ways in individual process.  This becomes very clear in Jesus’ words to Peter on the shore of the sea of Galilee when Peter inquired of John’s future. 

When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 
Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? 
You must follow me."

(John 21:21-22)

Sometimes we lose that sense of that individuality in a pre-designed program.

Our goal is to give you guidance and instructions through this column and allow you to use the information and suggestions that will help you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  

Each week you will find a practical tip or suggestion that is designed to help you as you desire to follow Jesus as his disciple.

Today’s Tip

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Solomon reminds his readers of the value of a traveling companion.  He writes:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Traveling companions make each other more effective.  Traveling companions support one another.  Traveling companions have each other’s back.

Today’s tip: Find a traveling companion

Find someone to encourage you on your mutual journey.  For the next few weeks set a regular time where you and your spiritual traveling companion will touch base and share where you have come from in your journey with Jesus and how you are growing in your relationship with Him in little ways.

Next week we will explore the question:

What makes a person a disciple of Jesus Christ?