The Believer’s Challenge: Follow Me

Katy Perry has over 75 million. Taylor Swift has 65 million. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has 38 million. Jimmy Fallon and Oprah Winfrey each have 30 million. Harry Styles, One Direction, Bill Gates and LeBron James each have 25 million. Cold Play, Ed Sheeran, Jim Carrey and Kanye West each have 15 million... followers... on Twitter.

Statistics tell us there are over 2 billion Christians in the world. This represents almost one third of the global population. But are there really over 2 billion people following Jesus? While almost 80% of the US claims to be Christian, only 40% say they regularly attend church, and only 20% actually attend church on any given Sunday. (Hartford Institute of Religion Research)

Follower is another word for disciple. It also carries with it the idea of being a student, an apprentice, a mimic. When Jesus invited Philip and the others to follow Him, He was asking them to devote their lives to becoming just like Him. For the disciple, their character and priorities were to be a reflection of the one they were following.

Read Matthew 5:1-12.

Read Matthew 22:37-40 and Matthew 28:18-20.

Love God. Love People. Make Disciples.

Read Luke 9:23.

What kind of commitment does Jesus say will be required in following Him? What do you think is the significance of Jesus saying that we must “take up our cross daily?”

Read Luke 9:57-62.

Many things can distract us on our journey in following Jesus. Not all of these things are bad in and of themselves, but when they take priority over Jesus in our lives, then they become a problem. What are the potential distractions that could keep you from growing as a Christ-follower whose life reflects Jesus’ character and priorities?