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Following Jesus Christ
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
1. Opening Prayer
2. Scripture Reading
Read aloud the Bible passage at the top of this page (Romans 12:1-2).
3. Group Discussion
(1) According to Tom Tarrants’ article “Following Jesus Christ,” what does it mean to follow Jesus?
(2) In his article, Tarrants observes, “Some people today mistakenly equate obedience with legalism and see it as the enemy of grace.” How would you respond to someone arguing that obedience is legalism? What Scriptures would you cite?
(3) What is the meaning and significance of the confession “Jesus is Lord”? (See 3 2 1—The Story of God, The World and You, pp. 41-43.)
(4) How might you use the booklet, Two Ways to Live, to share the goodness of Jesus Christ with a friend? With someone you meet on a plane?
4. Prayer Requests
5. Closing Prayer
Homework
1. Reflect
Within a day or two after the meeting, prayerfully reflect on the meeting and its content.
2. Prepare for the Next Meeting
Coming Next: Theme 2: Following Jesus Christ—Meeting B
(1) Read Habits of Grace, by David Mathis, pp. 37-60 (chapters 1-3: HEAR HIS VOICE (WORD): Shape Your Life with the Words of Life; Read for Breadth, Study for Depth; Warm Yourself at the Fire of Meditation) (~23 pages).
(2) Read article “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ as Christianity’s Centerpiece” by Benjamin R. Shaw and Gary R Habermas, found on CSLI website (from Knowing & Doing, Spring 2016, ~6 pages)
(3) Read Reflections, “The Risk of Love” (1 page)
(4) Watch Teaching Video, Following Jesus Christ, with Bill Kynes, Senior Fellow for Pastoral Theology at the C.S. Lewis Institute, and retired Senior Pastor of Cornerstone, an Evangelical Free Church, in Annandale, Virginia, where he served from 1986-2022.
As you watch the video, consider: What are Pastor Kynes’ primary points? What support does he provide for each of these points? Which one (or ones) do you find most relevant to your life at this time? What from the video might you like to share with family members and friends? What about the video might you like to discuss in the next small group meeting?
(5) Complete Bible Study, Mark 8:27-38.
a. Read. Carefully read this passage. As you do so, consider: What does the text say? What was the original intent? What does the passage mean? How does the passage apply to my life, and the lives of others, today?
b. Reflect. How does the way of the cross affect your understanding of Christian discipleship?
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