Follow (2) – Next Steps

We started this series Follow last week and I hope you have been wrestling with the question Am I following Jesus?  I certainly have.  I have been a Christian a long time and I still ask myself from time to time and certainly during this series, am I really following Jesus?  Sure, I go to church all the time, I pray, I sing the songs, but am I really following Jesus?  I hope and pray that you will always be bothered by that question, because I think as long as you do, you will never stop following Him.

Religion says, Change and you can join us. Jesus says, Join us and you will change.  There’s a huge difference.  Jesus doesn’t expect you to be perfect.  He just wants you to follow him.  Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify you from following him.  Being an unbeliever doesn’t disqualify you from following him. In fact, following almost always begins with a sinner and unbeliever taking one small step.  No matter where you are on your journey in following Jesus, would you be willing to take that next step?

Moving Forward

The question isn’t where you are on some continuum of spiritual maturity. The question is, Are you following Jesus? That doesn’t mean radical change all at once. It means taking a next step. Whatever your next step is . . . take it.

Discussion Questions

1. Talk about a major goal you’ve achieved in your life. When you first set that goal for yourself, did it feel unachievable? How did you go about pursuing it?

2. Have you ever met a Christian whose faith impressed and intimidated you? How did that person influence your view of Christianity? How did he or she influence your view of your own faith?

3. Last week we asked you to answer the question, Am I following Jesus? As you thought about that question, where did it lead you?

4. What risks do you associate with following Jesus? How do those risks cause you to hesitate?

5. In the message we talked about the four stages of following Jesus—listening and learning; taking a small, inconvenient step; allowing Jesus to do something unusual in one area of your life; and surrendering all aspects of your life to him. Which stage best describes where you are right now? Explain.

6. What can this group do to support you to take that next step in following Jesus?