United to Follow, Not Just Believe

A Comprehensive Bible Study Guide

1. Introduction & Overview

Pastor Scott's sermon "United to Follow, Not Just Believe" explores the critical distinction between merely believing in Jesus and actually following Him as disciples. The message builds on the church's 2026 theme of unity, showing that while unity brings people together, discipleship moves them forward in the same direction. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus calls us not merely to intellectual assent but to a transformed way of life characterized by daily obedience.

Key Scripture Passages:

• Matthew 4:19 - "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
• Luke 9:23 - "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up the cross daily, and follow me."
• John 17:20-23 - Jesus' prayer for unity among believers
• Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission to make disciples
• Joshua 24:15 - "Choose this day whom you will serve... As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Study Objectives:

1. Understand the biblical distinction between belief and discipleship
2. Examine how unity and discipleship work together for spiritual transformation
3. Identify the characteristics of true followers versus mere believers
4. Develop practical steps to move from belief to active following
5. Consider how discipleship impacts both individual and community transformation

Estimated Study Time: 2-3 hours (including Scripture reading, reflection, and discussion)

2. Exegetical Analysis

Structure and Genre

The sermon is built around three main points that flow logically from one to another:

1. Jesus called us to a way of life, not merely a belief system
2. Unity brings us together, but following Jesus sends us forward
3. Discipleship is not optional maturity but the expectation of the kingdom

The primary biblical texts (Matthew 4:19 and Luke 9:23) are imperative statements from Jesus, containing direct commands to follow Him. These commands form the foundation of discipleship and reveal Jesus' expectations for His followers.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Matthew 4:19 - "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"

• "Follow me" (ἀκολουθέω, akoloutheo) is in the imperative mood - a command, not a suggestion.
• The structure shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship: following Jesus (action) leads to transformation ("I will make you").
• Jesus doesn't ask them to believe certain facts about Him but to physically follow Him, suggesting proximity and imitation.
• "I will make you" emphasizes that transformation is something Jesus does to us, not something we accomplish through self-improvement.

Luke 9:23 - "Then he said to all of them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up the cross daily, and follow me.'"

• "If anyone would come after me" establishes discipleship as an open invitation but also sets conditions.
• Three sequential commands form the path of discipleship:
  1. "Deny himself" (ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν, aparnēsasthō heauton) - rejecting self-rule and self-centered identity
  2. "Take up his cross" (ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, aratō ton stauron autou) - embracing sacrificial obedience
  3. "Follow me" (ἀκολουθείτω μοι, akoloutheitō moi) - ongoing relational obedience
• "Daily" (καθ' ἡμέραν, kath' hēmeran) indicates this is not a one-time decision but a continuous lifestyle

John 17:20-23 - This prayer reveals the purpose of unity: "that the world may believe that you have sent me" and "that the world may know that you have sent me and loved them." Unity has an evangelistic purpose beyond internal harmony.

Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission specifically commands making disciples (μαθητεύσατε, mathēteusate), not merely converts or believers, showing discipleship as the core mission of the church.

Author's Intent

Jesus intended to establish a clear distinction between casual belief and committed following. His commands were designed to:

1. Call people out of their existing identities into new ones formed by relationship with Him
2. Establish a pattern of daily surrender and obedience
3. Create a community of followers who would continue His mission through transformed lives

3. Historical & Cultural Context

First Century Discipleship

In first-century Jewish culture, discipleship was a well-established practice. Rabbis would gather disciples who would:

• Literally follow them from place to place
• Learn not just their teaching but their way of life
• Imitate their practices, including how they interpreted Scripture
• Eventually become teachers themselves

When Jesus called fishermen to follow Him, they would have understood this meant leaving their current lives behind to join His itinerant ministry. This was not merely intellectual agreement but a complete reorientation of life.

The Cross as Execution Tool

When Jesus spoke of "taking up the cross," His hearers would have immediately understood the horrifying implications. The cross was not yet a religious symbol but an instrument of public execution used by Romans to humiliate and terrorize subjugated peoples. Crucifixion victims were forced to carry their crossbeam through public streets to their place of execution.

By using this metaphor, Jesus was explicitly calling followers to:

• Public identification with Him regardless of shame
• Willingness to face rejection and suffering
• Death to self-determination and self-protection

This shocking imagery would have been far more jarring to first-century ears than it is to modern Christians who have sanitized the cross as a religious symbol.

Fishing in Galilee

Jesus' metaphor of becoming "fishers of men" would have resonated deeply with His first disciples, who were professional fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Fishing required:

• Knowledge of water conditions and fish behavior
• Patience and persistence
• Appropriate techniques and tools
• Working together in teams

These same skills would translate to their new mission of drawing people to Jesus, but with a crucial difference: rather than capturing fish to kill them, they would be "capturing" people to give them life.

4. Word Studies

"Follow" (ἀκολουθέω, akoloutheo): This word appears over 90 times in the New Testament, with about 80 occurrences in the Gospels. Derived from "a" (together with) and "keleuthos" (road or way), it literally means "to be on the same road with." More than physical proximity, it implies:

• Joining someone on their journey and going where they go
• Accepting their direction and leadership
• Sharing their purpose and destination
• A continuous action, not a one-time decision

In Jewish culture, following a rabbi meant adopting their interpretation of Torah and their way of life. Jesus elevates this concept by calling followers to imitate not just His teaching but His character and mission.

"Disciple" (μαθητής, mathētēs): From the verb "manthanō" meaning "to learn," a mathētēs was a learner or student, but with deeper implications than our modern concept of a student:

• Learning occurred through relationship, not just information transfer
• The goal was to become like the teacher, not just to know what the teacher knew
• Discipleship involved total life commitment, not compartmentalized learning

The Great Commission uses the verb form (μαθητεύσατε, mathēteusate), "make disciples," indicating an active process of bringing others into this same relationship of learning and following.

"Deny" (ἀπαρνέομαι, aparneomai): Combines "apo" (from) and "arneomai" (deny or renounce), indicating complete separation from something. Used by Jesus to describe:

• Peter's denial of knowing Him (Matthew 26:34)
• The requirement for discipleship (Luke 9:23)

This word carries stronger connotations than simple disagreement—it implies total rejection or disowning. To "deny oneself" means to reject self-determination and self-centered identity as the organizing principle of life.

"Cross" (σταυρός, stauros): In the first century, this referred exclusively to the Roman instrument of execution, not a religious symbol. The cross represented:

• Public shame and humiliation
• Extreme suffering
• Complete surrender of control
• Death to the old life

By using this term, Jesus was calling followers to a radical form of self-surrender that would have been shocking and offensive to His original audience.

"Unity" (ἓν, hen): In John 17:21-23, Jesus prays that believers may be "one" (hen), the same word used to describe His relationship with the Father. This unity is:

• Relational rather than merely organizational
• Based on shared purpose and mission
• Visible enough to witness to the world
• Modeled after the Trinity's perfect unity

5. Cross-References & Biblical Theology

Discipleship as Following

• Mark 1:16-20 - The calling of the first disciples parallels Matthew 4:19
• John 12:26 - "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be"
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 - "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ"
• 1 Peter 2:21 - "Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps"

These passages establish following Jesus as a consistent New Testament theme that involves imitation and proximity, not just intellectual agreement.

The Cost of Discipleship

• Matthew 10:37-39 - "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me..."
• Mark 8:34-38 - "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"
• Luke 14:25-33 - Counting the cost of discipleship, including the metaphor of tower-building
• Philippians 3:7-11 - Paul considers everything a loss compared to knowing Christ

These passages reinforce that following Jesus requires prioritizing Him above all else, including family, possessions, and personal ambitions.

Transformation Through Following

• Romans 12:1-2 - "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "We all... are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory"
• Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me"
• Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting off the old self and putting on the new self

These passages show that following Jesus results in genuine transformation, not just behavioral modification or intellectual agreement.

Unity and Mission

• Acts 4:32-35 - The early church's unity resulted in powerful witness and generosity
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - Unity in diversity through the metaphor of the body
• Ephesians 4:1-6 - Unity based on "one Lord, one faith, one baptism"
• Philippians 2:1-11 - Unity through humility and following Christ's example

These passages demonstrate that biblical unity is not merely agreement but shared purpose and mission that reflects Christ's character.

6. Interpretive Considerations

Is "belief" unimportant? The sermon's emphasis on following versus merely believing might seem to downplay the importance of belief. However, Scripture clearly teaches that belief/faith is essential (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10). The better interpretation is that biblical belief is never meant to be merely intellectual assent but always includes trust and commitment that leads to action. James 2:19 notes that even demons "believe" in God's existence, but this belief doesn't transform them.

Is discipleship only for the spiritually elite? Some church traditions have created a two-tier Christianity where "disciples" are the serious Christians while ordinary believers need only basic commitment. This interpretation contradicts the Great Commission, which commands making disciples of all nations, not just creating believers. All Christians are called to discipleship, though we may be at different stages of the journey.

Does "take up your cross" apply differently today? Since crucifixion is no longer practiced, some might wonder if this command has less force today. However, the principle remains: following Jesus still requires public identification with Him, potential rejection by society, and death to self-determination. While literal martyrdom may not threaten most Western Christians, the call to sacrificial obedience remains unchanged.

Does unity require uniformity? The sermon emphasizes unity in following Jesus, but does this mean all Christians must look and act the same? Biblical unity is not uniformity. Passages like 1 Corinthians 12 celebrate diversity of gifts and functions within the unified body. Unity comes from shared commitment to Christ and His mission, not identical expressions of faith.

Why does the sermon work? The sermon's interpretation is compelling because it:

1. Maintains the imperative force of Jesus' commands
2. Preserves the historical context of discipleship in Jesus' day
3. Aligns with the broader New Testament emphasis on transformation
4. Connects belief and action in a way that reflects James' teaching that faith without works is dead
5. Addresses a genuine problem in contemporary Christianity: the reduction of faith to intellectual assent without life transformation

7. Theological Implications

The Nature of Salvation This teaching challenges a reductionist view of salvation as merely "saying a prayer" or intellectual assent to certain facts. Biblical salvation includes justification (being declared righteous) but also sanctification (being transformed). Following Jesus is not an optional add-on to salvation but part of what salvation means.

The Trinity as Model for Discipleship Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals that our unity should reflect the unity of the Trinity. This suggests discipleship is inherently relational, not just behavioral or intellectual. Just as the Father, Son, and Spirit exist in perfect loving community, disciples are called to follow Jesus in community, not isolation.

The Theology of the Cross Taking up the cross daily connects to the broader theological concept of cruciformity—the shaping of our lives according to Christ's self-giving love. Paul's statement in Galatians 2:20 about being "crucified with Christ" suggests that the cross is not just something Jesus bore but something His followers participate in through daily self-denial.

The Kingdom of God Discipleship is inseparable from Kingdom participation. When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). Following Jesus means entering and embodying His kingdom—a new social order characterized by love, justice, and obedience to God.

The Mission of the Church This teaching clarifies that the church's primary mission is making disciples, not just gaining converts or building attendance. A proper ecclesiology (theology of the church) sees the church as a community of disciples on mission together, not merely a gathering of individual believers.

The Doctrine of Sanctification Following Jesus daily connects to the doctrine of sanctification—the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. This is not self-improvement but transformation by the Holy Spirit as we follow Jesus. Sanctification happens through daily choices to deny self and follow Christ.

8. Practical Application

Moving from Attendance to Engagement

• Evaluate your current relationship with church: Are you primarily an attender or an engaged follower?
• Identify one area where you can move from passive consumption to active participation
• Consider joining a ministry team that serves others rather than just receiving

Developing Daily Discipleship Practices

• Establish a daily rhythm of Scripture reading, prayer, and reflection
• Join the church-wide Bible reading plan to grow alongside others
• Create accountability with another believer for your discipleship journey
• Practice daily self-examination: "Where did I follow my will instead of Christ's today?"

Reordering Priorities Around Following Jesus

• Examine your calendar and budget—do they reflect the priorities of a follower of Jesus?
• Identify one thing you need to "deny" to follow Jesus more faithfully
• Consider what "cross" Jesus is asking you to take up in your current season

Building Unity Through Shared Mission

• Participate in church-wide service projects that unite believers around common purpose
• Look for opportunities to collaborate with believers from different backgrounds or traditions
• Practice Matthew 18 when conflicts arise rather than gossiping or withdrawing

Becoming "Fishers of Men"

• Pray for opportunities to share how following Jesus has transformed your life
• Develop relationships with non-believers based on genuine care, not just evangelistic agenda
• Learn to recognize when the Holy Spirit is drawing someone and cooperate with His work
• Practice sharing your faith in ways that invite others to follow Jesus, not just believe facts

9. Discussion Questions

Observational Questions:

1. What specific commands does Jesus give in Matthew 4:19 and Luke 9:23? How are they similar and different?
2. What does Jesus say will happen to those who follow Him in Matthew 4:19? Who does the action in this promise?
3. How many times does Jesus use the word "follow" in the Gospels, and what patterns do you notice in these calls to follow Him?

Interpretive Questions: 4. What did "take up your cross" mean to Jesus' original audience, and how does that impact our understanding of discipleship today? 5. How does Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17 connect to His commission to make disciples in Matthew 28? What relationship do you see between unity and discipleship? 6. In what ways is "fishers of men" an appropriate metaphor for discipleship? What aspects of fishing translate to disciple-making?

Theological Questions: 7. How does the distinction between believing and following relate to the theological concepts of justification and sanctification? 8. What does it mean that discipleship is transformation done to us rather than self-improvement? How does this relate to the Holy Spirit's role? 9. How does the Trinity model the kind of unity Jesus prays for among His followers? What can we learn about discipleship from the relationships within the Trinity?

Application Questions: 10. What is one area where you've been content with believing without following? What would it look like to move toward following in that area? 11. What might be your "cross" to take up daily in your current season of life? What makes this difficult? 12. How might our church community look different if every member moved from attendance to engagement? What specific changes might we see?

Investigative Questions: 13. Research how the early church practiced discipleship in the first three centuries. What elements have we lost that might be worth recovering? 14. How do different Christian traditions understand and practice discipleship? What can we learn from traditions different from our own?

10. Recommended Resources

Commentaries:

• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - A classic work on the distinction between "cheap grace" and "costly grace" that aligns perfectly with this sermon's emphasis (Challenging)
• Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship by N.T. Wright - Accessible essays on what it means to follow Jesus in today's world (Moderate)
• The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard - A profound exploration of discipleship as apprenticeship to Jesus (Challenging)

Books on Discipleship:

• Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples by Francis Chan - Practical guide to becoming a disciple who makes disciples (Accessible)
• The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman - Classic study of Jesus' method of disciple-making (Moderate)
• Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden - A practical workbook for discipleship groups (Accessible)

Online Resources:

• BibleProject's Discipleship Series - Excellent videos explaining discipleship concepts (Accessible)
• The Gospel Coalition's Resources on Discipleship - Articles and videos on various aspects of discipleship (Moderate)
• Renovaré Spiritual Formation Resources - Tools for spiritual formation in the way of Christ (Moderate)

For Further Study:

• Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer - On the communal nature of discipleship (Moderate)
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster - Classic work on spiritual disciplines that facilitate following Jesus (Moderate)

This study guide aims to deepen your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, not just believe in Him. As you engage with these materials and questions, may you be transformed into a true disciple who follows Jesus daily, not merely a believer who agrees with certain facts about Him.