What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ? The answer to this question is important to all those who have been sent to Christ by God for Salvation. Jesus Christ did not come on Earth by His own authority but by the authority of God the Father Almighty. John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.” Let’s further read from John 17:5-7 – “Father! Give me glory in your presence now, the same glory I had with you before the world was made. ‘I have made you known to those you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me. They have obeyed your word, and now they know that everything you gave me comes from you.'”
It was out of God’s immeasurable, unconditional, unbiased, and unfailing love for mankind that sent His own son o pay the price for our sins. Although Christ had no sin of His own, He humbly accepted this mission which led to His dead on the Cross at Calvary. At Calvary, He was offered as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (completely wiping and taking away the sins of all those who come to Him). Jesus Christ takes away the sins of the faithful and offers them eternal life in the presence of God. To benefit from God’s Gift of Eternal Life, we must answer the call of Christ for a Sincere Repentance. Following this repentance is a renewed mind that is willing and ready to obey the Key Teachings of Jesus Christ. Hence, becoming His faithful followers.
What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
What the Scriptures say about Following Jesus Christ
Luke 14:25-30 – “Now great multitudes were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”
Luke 14:31-33 – “Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks terms for peace. So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” This scripture summarizes what it takes to become a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ. Still from this scripture, we can point out without doubt that discipleship is centered upon Dependence and Submission to Jesus Christ. We can as well say that genuine discipleship has to do with completely rearranging our priorities. Following Jesus Christ or being His disciple is all about making Him the most important thing in your life.
Understanding the Mission that God gave Christ to accomplish on Earth
It is not possible for us to talk about what it takes to become a disciple of Christ without pointing to His Earthly Mission. Christ did reveal Himself through His earthly life as the Savior of the World who was sent by the Father Almighty. His name “Jesus” clearly reveals His Earthly Mission as it means “God Saves.” This name was give to Him by Mary and Joseph in respect to the Heavenly Instructions that were brought to them by Angel Gabriel (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31). In the heavenly message which was transmitted to Joseph, the meaning of the name was explained by the angel as thus; “For He will save His people from their sins.” Christ with His own words describes His saving mission as one whose highest expression will be the sacrifice of His own life for mankind (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45).
Through the saying that the Son of man came to give His life as ransom for many, Jesus CHRIST was actually referring to the prophecy of the suffering Servant who “makes Himself an offering for sins” (Isaiah 53:10). Here, He is talking of a personal sacrifice which is much different from the animal sacrifice which was regularly used in ancient worship by the children of Israel. In line with these words, Christ appears as the Universal Savior through whom all human beings, according to God’s plan, are ransomed, freed, saved, and given eternal life. As a universal savior, Christ is the only savior. Let’s support this message by reading from Acts 4:12 – “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Here, Apostle Peter makes it clear that the only path to salvation is Christ.
Requirements to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ
1. A true disciple of Jesus Christ must put Him above all those nearest and dearest to him (Luke 14:26)
Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, … he cannot be my disciple.” It is important to understand here that Jesus CHRIST did not mean that we cannot love both God and our family at the same time. Also note that He did not mean to say that a person can only love God while hating those nearest and dearest to him/her. Remember that the scriptures speak on several occasions about the love governing families, friends, children, husbands and wives.
What Christ means here is that our love for Him must have precedence over any other. That is, our attachment to Him must be greater than any other attachment. Although husbands have been called to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25), the are to love the Savior more. No human bond should be more inseparable, no human relationship should be more intimate than that between the disciple and His Master, Jesus Christ.
2. A true disciple of Jesus Christ must place his commitment to the faith above material possessions (Luke 14:33)
Luke 14:33 – “In the same way, concluded Jesus, ‘none of you can be my disciple unless you give up everything you have.’” In simple terms, we must love God more than money and what it can buy. It is important to understand that material possessions will not last bu God’s Gift of Eternal Life is forever. Instead of storing up riches here on Earth where rust and moth will destroy them and thieves will steal them, you should rather store them in heaven where no thief can steal nor they can get bad. Our riches in heaven are determined by our level of faithfulness in keeping God’s commands.
3. A true disciple of Jesus Christ must value following Him more than life itself (Matthew 16:25)
Matthew 16:25 – “For whoever wants to save their own life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” It is without doubt that the basic instinct to preserve life is inherent in all creation. However, genuine discipleship demands a devotion to Jesus Christ that surpasses the instinct to preserve our own life. The history of the church clearly and sufficiently proves that this discipleship requirement has resulted to the death of countless followers of Christ or Christians.
4. A true disciple of Jesus Christ must daily die to self-interest (Luke 14:27)
Luke 14:27 – “Those who do not carry their own cross and come after me cannot be my disciples.” Every genuine disciple of Jesus Christ must pick up his/her own cross to follow Him on daily basis. Let’s not mistake our daily cross with His. The Cross of our lord was one that was borne once and for all. But ours is one that we must take on daily basis. The Cross of Christ was one that led to His physical Crucifixion and death. Carrying our cross on daily basis to follow Him has to do with putting to death on daily basis our selfish desires and ambitions of the old self. It is all about remaining faithful even in the face of daily challenges that are trying to break or faith (Romans 6:1-14; 2 Corinthians 4;7-12; 1 Corinthians 15:31).
The Rewards awaiting True Disciples of Jesus Christ
1. Knowledge about the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:34)
Mark 4:34 – “And He was not speaking to them without parables; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.” It is more to His disciples that our Lord Jesus Christ reveals His innermost thoughts and most intimate secrets. By following Him, we are privileged to learn about the things of God’s kingdom. Let’s further read from John 14:21 – “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal (manifest) myself to each of them.”
2. Favor and mercy before God (John 1;17)
John 1:17 – “For the Law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” Through Christ, we obtain God’s grace. And he who obtains God’s grace also obtains His favor and blessings. Blessings reserved for those who make-up their minds to follow Jesus Christ despite the challenges that come their way.
3. Eternal Life (John 11:25-26)
John 11:25-26 – Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” One of our greatest rewards is Jesus Christ Himself. Remember that He is the resurrection and the life. Just as He overcame His own death, He will also do same for all His followers as He brings them back to life in the presence of God.
4. Victory over Satan and all the principles of darkness in the heavenly places (Philippians 2:10-11)
Philippians 2:10-11 – “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of Go the Father.” Through Christ, we as His followers are victorious. Remember that God has given Him all authority in Heaven and on Earth. Let’s support thus by reading from Matthew 28:18-20 – “Jesus drew near and said to them, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go then to all people everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.’”
What The Bible Says About Following Jesus Christ
John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5 – “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 5:33 – “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.”
Psalm 119:133 – “Direct my footsteps according to your word;let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 128:1 – “Blessed are all who fear the Lord,who walk in obedience to him.”
Galatians 5:25 – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Matthew 10:38 – “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
Mark 8:34 – Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Deuteronomy 13:4 – “It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.”
Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Following Jesus Christ
John 8:31-32 – To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
1 Peter 2:21 – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
Psalm 37:23 – “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.”
John 12:26 – “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
Ephesians 5:1 – “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children.”
James 2:17 – “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Joshua 24:15 – “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Matthew 19:21 – Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Following Jesus Christ
Psalm 119:60 – “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.“
John 15:8 – “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Proverbs 4:27 – “Do not turn to the right or the left;keep your foot from evil.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 – “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
John 13:35 – “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Luke 9:23 – “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
1 Peter 2:21 – “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
1 Corinthians 11:1-2 – “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.”
Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Following Jesus Christ
Mark 8:34 – And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’“
Matthew 10:22 – “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 – “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”“
John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
1 John 2:3-4 – “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,”
Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Following Jesus Christ
John 12:26 – “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
Luke 18:22 – When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
John 15:14 – “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
Matthew 4:19 – And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
John 15:16-17 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Matthew 4:19-25 – And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. …”
Group 5 – What The Bible Says About Following Jesus Christ
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Matthew 10:38 – “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
John 15:5-8 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Galatians 5:25 – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
James 2:20-24 – “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
Group 6 – What The Bible Says About Following Jesus Christ
Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Luke 14:25-35 – “Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,”
John 8:31-32 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Matthew 19:21 – Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
John 6:55-59 – “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Philippians 2:12-13 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Mark 10:21 – And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
2 Timothy 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Mark 10:28-31 – Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” John 21:19 – “(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.””
Luke 5:27-33 – “After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him, And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them, And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. …”
Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
1 Peter 3:18-22 – “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Mark 14:51 – “And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him,”
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Luke 7:9 – “When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.””
John 18:15 – “Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Luke 9:23-25 – “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
Mark 8:34-37 – “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it, For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?”
John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 10:10-11 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Matthew 11:29 – “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
John 15:8 – “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Acts 14:22 – “Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Mark 10:52 – “And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.”
Acts 2:38-39 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6 – “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
1 Thessalonians 1:6 – “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John 8:31 – “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,”
Matthew 16:15-19 – “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.””
Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
John 13:12-17 – “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. …”
Mark 8:34-38 – “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it, For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.””
Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Ephesians 5:2 – “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Matthew 6:9-13 – Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Psalm 119:10 – “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!”
Psalm 25:1-22 – “Of David. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. …”
Joshua 24:15 – “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Matthew 9:9 – “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”
John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 4:23-24 – “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Luke 14:25-27 – “Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 1:47-49 – “And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”
Matthew 8:18-22 – “Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.””
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Matthew 16:24-25 – “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
1 John 5:16-17 – “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.”
Philippians 2:5 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”
Group 17 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Exodus 5:1-23 – “Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” And Pharaoh said, …”
Hebrews 13:20-21 – “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Luke 6:40 – “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Ephesians 5:1 – “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
John 20:28 – Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Group 18 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
1 John 2:28-3:10 – “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. …”
John 6:68-69 – Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
John 8:24 – “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Group 19 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
Revelation 1:17-18 – “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
Matthew 9:35-36 – “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
John 14:13 – “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
1 John 3:11-24 – “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. …“
Group 20 – What Does The Bible Say About Following Jesus Christ?
1 John 4:1-6 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. …”
1 John 2:15-27 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. …”
