Following Jesus

Jesus says, "Follow Me."

Have you ever wondered what this means? Many people get stuck because they think that following Jesus is about praying a prayer, going to church, being a good person, and going to heaven someday. But there’s got to be more to it than that, don’t you think? Jesus fully engaged with His disciples in every aspect of their lives. Their lives were transformed when they spent time with Him. And, guess, what? This is what Jesus wants for you as well. Jesus wants to lead you into a whole new life! He is calling you to become His disciple, His apprentice. Jesus wants to teach you and lead you into the life you were created for – to thrive in the Kingdom of God and become like Him in this world. You can experience the life of Jesus when you follow the way that Jesus lived. That’s what being an apprentice of Jesus is all about. It’s about centering your life on three things:

Be with Jesus
Become like Jesus
Live like Jesus

It makes sense if you think about it... as you spend time with Jesus, you start to become like Him, which leads toward you living like Him. That’s the goal of an apprentice, to become like your teacher! And here’s some good news... did you know that God is eagerly ready to help you become like Jesus? It’s true, that’s His goal for you.

“For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son” Romans 8:29a

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, His death pays for all your sins. You are clean and forgiven. God adopts you into His family. He puts His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, in your life. You are new in Christ! At the same time, God continues to transform you through a cooperative work that He does with you over time. You work out your salvation as you depend on His power through His Spirit. This deepens your intimacy and connection with Him as you learn to trust and depend on Him for everything.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13

The goal is to let go of your old rebellious and self-centered life, and learn to live in God’s grace, provision, and love. This isn’t easy or automatic, following Jesus is a process that takes practice. Jesus teaches you how to do this as you practice His ways in His power. With His help, and through practice, a new way of living is formed in you. What was once unnatural and difficult becomes a new way of life – an abundant and joyful life!

Following Jesus involves imitating His way of life and obeying His teaching. Jesus taught His disciples by modeling spiritual practices that helped them grow. These included practices of surrender that help you detach from your old life, and practices of engagement that help you live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Engaging in these practices help you live in the presence and power of Jesus.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

This process of letting go of your old life and putting on your new life is maximized when you combine spiritual “practices of surrender” (letting go) with “practices of engagement” (putting on). We have created several resources ahead that are coupled this way to deepen your connection to the Holy Spirit.

Another thing God has done for you is He’s placed you into a spiritual family. There is great power when we share life in Jesus.

“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5

In community God works through each one to encourage, grow, and support one another in a shared journey. Therefore, the resources that follow are community based. So, we encourage you to go through these resources together with other followers of Jesus. Are you ready? Gather some friends and together become like Jesus!

Click the options below to begin your journey.