The Great Ones is our theme for the next 3 months. Each month will have a sub-theme:
September = Commands
October = Chapters
November = Choices

This month we are looking at 4 commands of Jesus given to those who would one day become mature followers and leaders of the Christian faith. The commands were given in progressive nature, one following the other.

Last week we looked at the first command, Come & See. Jesus invited people to investigate their understanding of who He was.
John 1:35-39

This was a life changing moment for these two men. The information they received convinced them, not only of who Jesus was, but impacted their lives in such a way their reason for existence changed forever.
John 1:40-41

Spending time with the lost and inviting them to “come and see” is the first command in disciple making. It’s a step that can be duplicated easily by those who are a growing in their faith and desire to really honor God and help people.

To illustrate these four commands, Grace Church uses the visual symbol of a baseball diamond to convey the idea of making progress in our spiritual journey.
Each base path teaches the steps we need to take and the bases represent the measuring points, whereby we can gain an objective understanding of where we are in our relationship with the Lord.

Today we are looking at the second command, Follow Me.
It teaches how to move from 1st base (the point of salvation) to 2nd base (the place of commitment).
The command to "follow me" was given to a number of people. We see it first in John 1:43.
Jesus taught in John 10:27 that following is the mark of a true believer.
The Apostle Paul affirmed this truth in 1 Corinthians 11:1.
The phrase "follow me" in Greek means "to come behind", "to follow in my steps", "to learn of me," and "to take on a new direction for your life."

Moving from 1st to 2nd base can be described as learning about Him and His will for your life.
The journey is different for everyone, but the goal is that we are building up our faith and becoming like Christ in our character and conduct.

The phrase "follow me" provides us some insights and implications for our life:

1. IMPLIES we are convinced of who and what we're following.
1 Peter 3:15

2. REQUIRES that we open our life to others and reorder our priorities.
Acts 2:42, 46
Philippians 3:17

3. DESCRIBES an intended direction for our journey.
Romans 8:29-30

Imagine that you are on the dirt roadways and paths of ancient Israel. It’s you and small group of other followers training behind Yeshua, the Rabbi from Nazareth. He has challenged you to Follow Him.

-You’ve traveled from your home village to regions you’ve never before visited.
-You’ve encountered people who were receptive to the words of your Master and others ranging from openly hostile to apathetic.
-You’ve climbed mountains, visited cities, slept under the stars, waded streams, and sat under the shade of olive trees in the baking heat.
-You’ve watched Him perform miracles, tell stories, meet the needs of people that were of no relation to Him or you, and have watched Him cross all social barriers.

And yet you are there, your proximity to Him often like a temperature gauge reflecting your own desires. Sometimes close, other times toward the rear, lazily trying to maintain contact. “It’s tough to follow when there are so many other options in life!”

As He and your group have walked, you’ve seen the dust clouds that dozens of feet have churned up. Now as you lay by the fire at night you can feel the dust caked upon your feet, your clothes, and your body. Looking around you see others with a similar caking and wonder if you have more or less dust upon you in comparison. It is then you recall an old Jewish saying,“May you be covered in HIS dust.”

Your people have used this saying to communicate a simple idea … the residue of those you follow will cover and define your life. And those who follow you will wear the residue of your life … your mannerisms, your behaviors, your beliefs, and your emotions.

You ponder His initial challenge to FOLLOW ME. You wonder, “In all of my time on this journey, how much of the dust that I am wearing is His?” “Does my life reflect a closeness to Him or am I simply covered with the influence of others and the grime of life?”

Application and Discussion Questions:

1. When was the last time you were invited to “Come & See” anything? [Think in terms of a simple invitation]. What where some of the thoughts and factors you had to mull over before arriving at a decision?

2. When has your life been dramatically changed due to your response to a command, challenge, or invitation? What changed and how are you different today as a result?

3. Review the three insights that were shared concerning the command to “Follow Me.” Which of these challenges do you most resonate with? Which is the hardest?

4. As you think of the entirety of your Christian life, is your life defined more about the religious information you have accumulated or the transformation you have experienced and demonstrated? What are some areas of your spiritual life in which you want to mature over the next 4 months? What steps will you take to do so?

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, September 13 - Tim & Stacy Schilz
Monday, September 14 - Heidi Mater, Lincoln Jones, Ryan & Tracy Hickey, Bob & Teresa Allen
Tuesday, September 15 - Cannon Mater
Saturday, September 19 - Evie Roscoe, Scott Byers, Luke Mann