We believe at Sagebrush that God’s call is for each one of us to be fully devoted followers of Christ. We believe this because God makes it clear throughout Scripture that He calls His people to be fully, not partially or mostly, devoted. He desires His people to be one-hundred percent committed and devoted to following Him, not anything else in this world. For the next few minutes together, you and your group members will talk about this call in Scripture to be fully devoted followers, as well as challenge each other to obey this call to be fully devoted followers of Christ.
What things in our world today hold people back from being fully devoted followers of Christ?
1. Read Matthew 16:21-26. Compare Peter’s approach toward life versus Jesus’ approach toward life.
Matthew 16:21-26
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
2. What is Jesus looking for when it comes to His followers of Christ, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. What is the promise for those who give up everything to follow Christ, becoming fully devoted followers? How is this truth counter-cultural to the way the rest of the world thinks?
4. Look back at verse 26 of Matthew 16. What are the implied answers to the questions Jesus asked in this verse? What makes asking these two questions such an impactful teaching method of Jesus, as He taught about becoming fully devoted followers?
1. How does studying this teaching from Jesus in Matthew 26 impact you as you think about the way you live your life and follow Jesus?
2. Who do you know who is a good example of someone who is a fully devoted follower of Christ, holding nothing back when it comes to following Christ? How can you follow their example?
3. Is anything holding you back from being a fully devoted follower of Christ, fighting for the place in your life that only He deserves?
Now that you have all shared what might be holding you back from being a fully devoted follower of Christ, think about one step you will take this week, whether that means you will start doing something, stop doing something, or implement a new change in your daily routine, with your group. Share the step you will take with your group. Then, pray together. Pray that God will help you all take these steps to let go of anything holding you back from being fully devoted followers of Christ with boldness and courage.
We know that Scripture calls us to be fully devoted followers of Christ and that there is no room for partiality when it comes to following Christ. For the next few minutes, let’s answer the question, “What does this look like on a regular basis to be a fully devoted follower of Christ?” Spend the next few moments with your group diving into Scripture to look at three marks of fully devoted followers of Christ.
God’s word is a gift to each one of us. It encourages us, guides us, helps us, and so much more. Fully devoted followers of Christ recognize the gift of God’s word and delight in it. They make it a point to spend time reading and studying God’s word every day.
1. Read Psalm 1:1-3.
Psalm 1:1-3
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
2. Compare the wicked person with those who follow God in this passage of Scripture.
3. What is the result of “delighting in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night?”
4. How have you experienced this truth from Psalm 1:1-3 to be true in your own life?
We have seen that fully devoted followers of Christ delight in God’s word. This is only part of the story, however. You see, those who are fully devoted followers of Christ do not just read, reflect on, and know God’s word. They also obey it. They are committed to doing what God calls His followers to do in His word.
1. Read James 1:22-25.
James 1:22-25
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
2 What are those who do not obey Scripture like, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. What is the promise for those who obey Scripture?
4. What keeps people from obeying Scripture in our world today?
One of the privileges that we have as Christ followers is the privilege of praying for each other. When we pray for each other, we share each other’s burdens and bring them before God, our Heavenly Father. This prayer unifies believers and encourages us in our own faith and prayer life.
1. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
2. According to this passage of Scripture, what is our world like today as we wait for the return of Christ?
3. Why is encouragement in our world today important, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. Who is someone you know today who needs encouragement? What can you do today to encourage them?
Take a few moments to break off into groups of two or three and answer these questions below, reflecting on the Scripture you studied today. After answering the questions, pray together. Pray for the courage for you all to obey God’s word and for the areas of your lives where you need encouragement.
1. Is there a command in Scripture you know God is calling you to obey? What is it, and how can you take a step of obedience this week?
2. In what area of your life do you need encouragement today?
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