Following Jesus [Become] Discussion Guide

Summary

This sermon continues our series on discipleship, exploring what it truly means to follow Jesus. Jonathan outlines a progression of discipleship: believing in Jesus, belonging to Him, and then becoming like Him. Using 1 John 2:6 and Ephesians 5:1-2 as anchors, the message challenges believers to move beyond surface-level faith and pursue genuine transformation, not through moral self-improvement, but through dying to self and imitating Christ's radical, sacrificial love.

Drawing on Romans 12:1-2, Jonathan calls the church to present themselves as living sacrifices, resist conforming to the world's values, and allow God to renew their minds through Scripture, prayer, and community. The motivation for this transformation is not guilt or fear, but the reality that believers are God's dearly loved children. When the mind is renewed and surrender is genuine, we find that God's will becomes clearer and life shifts from self-protection to self-giving.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word and discuss what it means to truly follow Jesus, we ask that You soften our hearts and quiet the noise of our daily lives. We don't come here with all the answers. We come as people who want more of You. Holy Spirit, lead this conversation. Reveal what each of us personally needs to hear. Help us to be honest with one another and with You. May this time together draw us closer to becoming the disciples You have called us to be. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker

Who is someone you admire so much that you have caught yourself picking up one of their habits, phrases, or mannerisms without even trying?

Key Verses

- 1 John 2:6
- Ephesians 5:1-2
- Ephesians 4:30-32
- Matthew 16:24-25
- Matthew 10:38-39
- Philippians 2:5-8
- Romans 12:1-2

Questions

- Jonathan described discipleship as a progression: believe, belong, and become. Where do you feel you are in that progression right now, and what has that journey looked like for you?
- 1 John 2:6 says, 'Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.' How does that verse challenge or encourage you personally?
- The sermon made a distinction between asking Jesus to be your Savior and making Him the Lord of your life. What is the difference in your own words, and why does that distinction matter?
- Ephesians 5:1 tells us to 'imitate God' because we are His 'dear children.' How does being motivated by love rather than guilt or fear change the way you approach living out your faith?
- Jonathan said, 'You are always becoming like something.' What are the things in your daily life that are shaping you the most right now, and do they reflect the direction you want to go?
- Romans 12:2 says, 'Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.' In what specific areas of life do you feel the most pressure to conform to the world's way of thinking?
- The sermon described Jesus' love as radical, sacrificial, and other-centered. He loved people others would not touch. Who in your life or community might God be calling you to love in that same uncomfortable, intentional way?
- Jonathan said that when your mind is renewed, your desires naturally begin to change. Have you experienced a moment where your desires genuinely shifted because of your relationship with God? What did that look like?

Life Application

This week, identify one specific area of your life where you have been living more like the world than like Jesus. It could be how you spend your money, how you treat a difficult person, how you talk about others, or how you use your time. Bring that area before God in prayer each day this week and ask the Holy Spirit to begin renewing your thinking in that space. Take one small, concrete step toward living differently in that area, not out of guilt, but as a response to the love God has already shown you.

Key Takeaways

- Discipleship is a progression: truly believing in Jesus leads to belonging to Him, which leads to becoming like Him in how you actually live.
- Becoming like Jesus is not about moral self-improvement or becoming a better version of yourself. It is about dying to yourself and being fundamentally remade by God's love.
- The motivation for imitating Christ is not guilt, fear, or obligation. It is the reality that you are God's dearly loved child, and love is what compels genuine transformation.
- Transformation begins in the mind. When you stop conforming to the world's values and allow God to renew your thinking through Scripture, prayer, and community, your desires and behavior naturally follow.
- Knowing God's will is not mysterious or out of reach. It becomes clear through surrender, refusing to conform to the world, and allowing God to rewire how you think.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for this time together and for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for loving us so completely that You gave everything for us. As we leave this conversation, we ask that You take what was discussed and plant it deep in our hearts. Where we have been playing it safe, give us courage to go deeper. Where we have been conforming to the world, give us the strength to turn toward You. Renew our minds, reshape our desires, and make us into people who look more like You with every passing day. We offer ourselves to You, not because we have to, but because You are worth it. In Your precious and holy name we pray, amen.