United to Follow, Not Just Believe

A Deep Study Guide for Small Groups

Introduction

This study guide explores Pastor Scott's sermon on the distinction between merely believing in Jesus and actually following Him as disciples. The sermon emphasizes that unity without discipleship produces only agreement, while discipleship produces transformation. As we journey through this study, we'll examine how Jesus calls us not just to believe a system but to embrace a way of life characterized by daily surrender, obedience, and transformation.

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, as we gather to study Your Word more deeply, open our hearts and minds to hear Your voice. Help us move beyond intellectual understanding to true discipleship. Challenge us where we need to be challenged, comfort us where we need comfort, and transform us by Your Spirit. May this time together produce lasting fruit in our lives as we learn what it truly means to follow You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Key Scripture Passages

Primary Texts:

• Matthew 4:19 - "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"
• 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.'"
• John 17:20-23 - Jesus' prayer for unity among believers
• Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission
• Joshua 24:15 - "Choose this day whom you will serve"

Part 1: The Call to Follow vs. Merely Believe

Scripture Analysis: Matthew 4:19

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"

This passage contains Jesus' invitation to Simon Peter and Andrew as they were casting nets into the Sea of Galilee. Note several key elements:

1. "Follow me" (ἀκολουθέω/akoloutheō in Greek) - This verb implies continuous action, not a one-time decision. It means "to move behind someone in the same direction" and suggests accompanying a teacher as a disciple.

2. "I will make you" - Jesus promises transformation. He doesn't say "Try harder" or "Learn better techniques" but promises to remake them from the inside out.

3. "Fishers of men" - Jesus uses their current vocation as a metaphor for their new mission. This shows how discipleship doesn't necessarily abandon our skills but redirects them.

Theological Insights

The distinction between belief and following is crucial in understanding authentic Christianity:

1. James 2:19 reminds us that "Even the demons believe—and shudder!" Intellectual assent to truth is not the same as following Jesus.

2. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in The Cost of Discipleship: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." This captures the radical nature of Jesus' call to follow.

3. In the early church, Christianity was called "the Way" (Acts 9:2, 19:9, 19:23, 24:14, 24:22) before it was called Christianity, emphasizing that it is a path to be walked, not merely a set of beliefs to affirm.

Deep Discussion Questions

1. How would you articulate the difference between believing in Jesus and following Jesus in your own words? Where do you see this distinction playing out in your own life?

2. The sermon noted that "believing is something that happens in your head, but following is something that happens with your feet." What specific actions or decisions in your life demonstrate that you are following Jesus, not just believing in Him?

3. Jesus' first words to His disciples were "Follow me," not "Believe in me." Why do you think the church has often emphasized belief over following? What might change if we reversed this emphasis?

4. Pastor Scott mentioned that "discipleship begins where agreement ends." When have you found it easier to agree with Christian teachings than to actually follow them? What made the difference?

Part 2: The Daily Cross - Denying Self

Scripture Analysis: 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.'"

This passage contains three essential elements of discipleship:

1. "If anyone would come after me" - This is an open invitation, but with clear conditions. The Greek phrase "θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἔρχεσθαι" (thelei opisō mou erchesthai) indicates a deliberate choice to follow behind Jesus, letting Him set the direction.

2. "Let him deny himself" - The Greek word "ἀπαρνησάσθω" (aparnēsasthō) means to completely disown or renounce. This is not about self-hatred but about surrendering self-rule and autonomy.

3. "Take up his cross daily" - In Jesus' time, a person carrying a cross was on their way to execution. This was not a private religious symbol but a public declaration of death to one's old life.

4. "Daily" - The Greek "καθ' ἡμέραν" (kath' hēmeran) emphasizes that this is not a one-time decision but a continual, daily choice to die to self.

Theological Connections

1. Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

2. Romans 6:1-11 - Paul explains that in baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, dying to sin and rising to new life.

3. Philippians 3:7-11 - Paul counts everything as loss compared to knowing Christ, considering all else as rubbish.

Historical and Cultural Context

In first-century Palestine under Roman occupation, crucifixion was not just a method of execution but a public spectacle meant to humiliate and deter rebellion. When Jesus spoke of taking up one's cross, His listeners would have immediately understood the radical nature of this call—it meant being willing to face shame, suffering, and death for His sake.

Deep Discussion Questions

1. What specific areas of self-rule or autonomy do you find most difficult to surrender to Christ? What would it look like to more fully deny yourself in those areas?

2. The sermon emphasized that taking up your cross means "embracing obedience even when it costs reputation, comfort, or safety." When have you experienced this cost in your own discipleship journey?

3. Pastor Scott shared how he and his wife had to "let go of everything" to follow God's call. While not everyone is called to the same specific actions, how might God be calling you to a deeper surrender in your current season?

4. How does the "daily" nature of cross-bearing challenge the notion that Christianity is primarily about a one-time decision or altar call? What spiritual disciplines help you maintain this daily dying to self?

Part 3: Unity and Discipleship - Moving in the Same Direction

Scripture Analysis: John 17:20-23

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and loved them even as you have loved me."

Key elements in this passage:

1. "That they may all be one" - Jesus prays for unity among all believers, not just His immediate disciples.

2. "Just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you" - The unity Jesus desires is modeled after the unity within the Trinity—intimate, loving, and purpose-driven.

3. "So that the world may believe" - The purpose of unity is missional—it serves as a witness to the world about Jesus' divine identity and mission.

Theological Insights

1. Trinitarian Unity as Model - Our unity as believers is meant to reflect the perfect unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—distinct persons united in essence, purpose, and love.

2. Missional Purpose - Unity is not an end in itself but serves the greater purpose of witness and mission.

3. Unity and Diversity - Biblical unity does not erase distinctiveness but harmonizes diverse members toward a common purpose, similar to how Paul describes the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12.

Deep Discussion Questions

1. Pastor Scott said, "Unity gets us in the same room, but discipleship gets us moving in the same direction." How have you seen this principle at work in church communities you've been part of?

2. The sermon noted that many churches today are "unified around comfort, tradition, politics, or preferences, but not unified around following Jesus wherever he leads." What false unities have you observed in Christian communities? How can we guard against these in our group?

3. How does Jesus' prayer connect unity with mission? In what ways might disunity among believers hinder our witness to the world?

4. What practical steps can our small group take to deepen both our unity and our collective discipleship?

Part 4: Making Disciples - The Expectation of the Kingdom

Scripture Analysis: Matthew 28:19-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Key elements:

1. "Make disciples" - The main verb is μαθητεύσατε (mathēteusate), which means "to make disciples." The other actions (going, baptizing, teaching) are participles that support this main command.

2. "Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded" - Discipleship involves comprehensive obedience, not selective adherence to certain teachings.

3. "I am with you always" - The promise of Christ's presence empowers the discipleship mission.

Theological Reflection

1. The Great Commission is often reduced to evangelism, but its core is discipleship—the formation of followers who obey Jesus in all areas of life.

2. The church's primary mission is not to create converts or church attenders but to make disciples who make disciples.

3. Discipleship is not an optional advanced course for Christians but the basic expectation for all believers.

Deep Discussion Questions

1. Pastor Scott listed seven characteristics of disciples: they prioritize God's Word daily, pray constantly, serve others, share their faith, live generously, pursue holiness, and build community. Which of these areas do you feel strongest in? Which needs the most growth?

2. The sermon emphasized that discipleship is "not behavior modification" but "an interior remaking." How have you experienced this interior transformation in your own walk with Christ?

3. What obstacles prevent many Christians from moving beyond church attendance to true discipleship? How can we address these obstacles in our own lives?

4. How might our small group become more intentional about making disciples? What specific practices could we implement to foster deeper discipleship among us?

Part 5: A Call to Decision

Scripture Analysis: 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."

Key elements:

1. "Choose this day" - Joshua calls for an immediate decision, not a delayed response.

2. "Whom you will serve" - The issue is not just belief but service and allegiance.

3. "As for me and my house" - Joshua makes a personal commitment that includes his family and household.

Theological Insights

1. Throughout Scripture, faith is presented as a choice with consequences, not merely intellectual assent.

2. True discipleship requires decisive commitment, not passive agreement.

3. Our choices affect not just ourselves but those connected to us.

Application Questions

1. What specific "next step of obedience" is God calling you to take this week?

2. How will you respond to the four practical calls from the sermon:

   • Commit to join a discipleship group or small group
   • Sign up for the Bible reading plan
   • Identify your next step of obedience
   • Find a place to serve both in the church and community

3. What one change could you make this week that would move you from being a believer to being a follower?

4. If someone observed your life for a week, would they conclude that you are merely a believer in Jesus or a follower of Jesus? What evidence would they point to?

Conclusion and Prayer

Take time to share prayer requests related to your discipleship journey. Pray for one another to grow not just in knowledge but in obedience and transformation. Ask God to help your group move beyond unity of agreement to unity of purpose and action.

Lord Jesus, thank you for calling us not just to believe in you but to follow you. Forgive us for the times we've settled for intellectual agreement rather than costly obedience. Help us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow you faithfully. May our unity as believers be centered on you and your mission, not on our comfort or preferences. Empower us by your Spirit to be disciples who make disciples, transforming our community and world. We choose this day to serve you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Going Deeper: Resources for Further Study

1. Books:

   • The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
   • Following Jesus by N.T. Wright
   • Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp
   • The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman

2. Scripture for Further Meditation:

   • Matthew 7:21-27 - The wise and foolish builders
   • John 8:31-32 - "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples"
   • Luke 14:25-33 - Counting the cost of discipleship
   • 1 Corinthians 11:1 - "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ"

3. Spiritual Practices to Cultivate:

   • Daily scripture reading and meditation
   • Regular times of prayer and listening to God
   • Accountability with another believer
   • Intentional service to others
   • Sharing your faith journey with non-believers

4. Reflection Exercise: Create a "discipleship inventory" by listing the seven characteristics of disciples mentioned in the sermon. Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 for each characteristic. Choose the lowest-rated area and develop a specific plan to grow in that area over the next month.

Personal Reflection Space

Use this space to journal your thoughts, prayers, and commitments arising from this study:

1. What new insight did I gain about discipleship from this study?

2. What area of my life is Jesus asking me to surrender more fully to Him?

3. What specific step of obedience am I committing to take this week?

4. How can I contribute to both unity and discipleship in my church community?