20251109_ADS_Transcript.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: Every Life Follows a Guide—Who Is Yours?

Every person is shaped by something or someone. Whether we realize it or not, our hearts are always being formed by the voices we listen to, the habits we practice, and the values we pursue. The question isn’t whether we are disciples, but who or what we are disciples of. Culture, comfort, ambition, or even our own desires can quietly become the reference points that direct our steps.

Jesus invites us to intentionally choose Him as our guide. This means regularly pausing to ask, “Whose way am I really following right now?” It’s an invitation to let His life and teaching set the direction for our journey, rather than drifting along with the current of the world. The path we choose shapes not only our destination, but also the kind of person we are becoming along the way.

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”’” (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense you’ve been following the crowd or your own desires instead of Jesus? What would it look like to intentionally choose His way today?

Day 2: Relationship, Not Ritual, Is the Heart of Faith

The way of Jesus is not about checking off religious boxes or following a set of rules. At its core, faith is about relationship—a living, ongoing friendship with God. Jesus’ claim to be “the way, the truth, and the life” means that salvation and transformation are not things we achieve by our own effort, but gifts we receive as we walk with Him in daily trust and surrender.

This relational way calls us to move beyond “checklist Christianity.” It’s not about how much we know or how perfectly we perform, but about how closely we walk with Jesus. He invites us to bring our real selves—our questions, struggles, and hopes—into honest conversation with Him. As we do, we discover that true life is found not in ritual, but in relationship.

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been treating your faith more like a set of tasks than a relationship? How can you intentionally connect with Jesus as a friend today?

Day 3: The Narrow Road Demands Surrender and Daily Choice

The broad road is easy, comfortable, and popular, but it leads us away from the life God intends. Jesus calls us to the narrow road—a path that requires surrender, intention, and discipline. This road is not always easy; it often means letting go of control, comfort, and our own definitions of success. But it is the only road that leads to true, abundant life.

Choosing the narrow road is not a one-time decision, but a daily practice. Each day, we are invited to surrender our plans and preferences, trusting that Jesus’ way is better, even when it’s costly or countercultural. The narrow road may be hard, but it is also the place where we discover the deep joy and freedom of walking closely with God.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one comfort or habit you sense God inviting you to surrender in order to walk more closely with Jesus today?

Day 4: Trusting God’s Guidance One Step at a Time

Following Jesus is less like having a detailed map and more like trusting a guide who leads us step by step. We often want to see the whole journey laid out before us, but God rarely gives us the full picture. Instead, He invites us to trust Him with the next step, believing that He knows the way even when we don’t.

This kind of trust means letting go of our need for control and certainty. It means listening for God’s promptings and being willing to obey, even when the path ahead is unclear. As we follow Jesus one step at a time, we learn to depend on His wisdom and presence, discovering that He is faithful to lead us exactly where we need to go.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” (Psalm 32:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel uncertain about the next step? How can you practice trusting God’s guidance today, even if you can’t see the whole path?

Day 5: Your Journey Points Others Toward God

The way we walk with Jesus is not just for our own sake—it’s meant to be a signpost for others. As people of the Way, our choices, our surrender, and our love can invite others to discover Jesus for themselves. Our faithfulness on the narrow road becomes a light that helps others find their way home to the Father.

God uses ordinary lives to make an extraordinary difference. When we walk with Jesus, our journey becomes a living testimony of His grace and truth. We may never know the full impact of our faithfulness, but we can trust that God is using our lives to draw others closer to Him.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might be watching your journey with Jesus? What is one way you can intentionally be a signpost pointing them toward God’s love this week?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, we began a new series focused on what it truly means to follow the way of Jesus—not just as a set of beliefs, but as a way of life that shapes every decision, relationship, and moment. Drawing from John Mark Comer’s insight that “everyone is a disciple of someone or something,” we explored the question: Who or what are you a disciple of? Through personal story, Scripture, and the image of maps and roads, we considered how easy it is to drift onto paths shaped by comfort, culture, or our own desires, rather than intentionally walking the narrow road Jesus calls us to. Jesus’ words in John 14 and Matthew 7 remind us that He is not just the destination, but the way itself—the only way to true life with God. The invitation is to surrender control, step off the broad road, and daily choose the narrow path of following Jesus, trusting Him to guide us, even when the way is hard or unclear.

Key Takeaways

1. Discipleship Is Not Optional, But Directional Every person is a disciple—what matters is who or what we are following. Our lives are always being shaped by something, whether it’s Jesus, our culture, or our own ambitions. The call of Jesus is to intentionally choose Him as our reference point, letting His life and teaching set the direction for our journey. This means regularly pausing to ask: “Whose way am I really following right now?”
2. The Way of Jesus Is Relational, Not Merely Ritual Jesus’ claim to be “the way, the truth, and the life” shifts the foundation of faith from law and ritual to relationship with Him. Salvation and transformation are not achieved by our own strength, knowledge, or religious activity, but by walking with Jesus in daily trust and surrender. This relational way invites us to move beyond checklist Christianity and into a living, ongoing friendship with God.
3. The Narrow Road Requires Surrender and Intention The broad road is easy, popular, and comfortable, but it leads us away from the life God intends. The narrow road—Jesus’ way—requires us to surrender control, comfort, and our own definitions of success. It’s a path that demands intention and discipline, but it is also the road that leads to true, abundant life. Each day, we are invited to choose this road again, even when it’s costly or countercultural.
4. God’s Guidance Is Step-by-Step, Not a Full Map Unlike an old map that leaves us to figure out the route, following Jesus is more like trusting a GPS that guides us turn by turn. We don’t need to know every detail of the journey ahead; we need to trust the One who leads us. Surrendering to Jesus means letting go of the need for total control and being willing to follow His promptings, even when the next step is all we can see.
5. Our Journey Shapes Others As people of the Way, our lives are meant to be a signpost for others, showing them the path to life with God. The way we walk—our choices, our surrender, our love—can invite others to discover Jesus for themselves. Our faithfulness on the narrow road is not just for our own sake, but so that we might be a light, helping others find their way home to the Father.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Way of Jesus**

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### Bible Reading

- **John 14:1-6**
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

- **Matthew 7:13-14**
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

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### Observation Questions

In John 14, what are the disciples feeling and why does Jesus tell them not to let their hearts be troubled?
According to Jesus in John 14:6, what does He claim about Himself, and how does this challenge the disciples’ expectations?
In Matthew 7:13-14, what is the difference between the broad road and the narrow road? What do these roads represent?
From the sermon, what are some examples of “broad roads” that people might find themselves on without realising it?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus describes Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” instead of just giving directions or rules to follow?
What does it mean that discipleship is not optional, but directional? How does this idea challenge the way people usually think about following Jesus?
The sermon talks about surrendering control and comfort to walk the narrow road. Why is surrender so important in following Jesus, and what might it look like in everyday life?
The pastor mentioned that God’s guidance is often step-by-step, not a full map. How might this change the way someone approaches decisions or uncertainty in their life?

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### Application Questions

The sermon asked, “Whose way am I really following right now?” Take a moment to reflect: In what area of your life do you sense you might be following your own desires, comfort, or culture instead of Jesus? What would it look like to shift your direction?
Jesus invites us into a relationship, not just rituals or checklists. Are there any habits or routines in your faith that have become more about “ticking the box” than about connecting with Jesus? How could you make them more relational this week?
The narrow road requires intention and discipline. What is one practical step you could take this week to intentionally choose Jesus’ way, even if it’s uncomfortable or unpopular?
The sermon compared following Jesus to using a GPS—trusting Him for the next step rather than needing the whole map. Is there a decision or situation in your life where you’re struggling to trust God with just the next step? What would it look like to surrender that to Him?
The way we walk shapes others. Can you think of someone in your life who is watching how you live out your faith? How might your choices this week point them toward Jesus?
The pastor shared a story about making big life decisions without asking God. When was the last time you made a significant decision without consulting God? What did you learn from that experience, and how might you approach decisions differently now?
The broad road is described as easy and popular, but ultimately leads away from life with God. What are some “broad road” temptations in your daily life, and how can you guard against drifting onto them?

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite the group to pray for courage to choose the narrow road, for trust in God’s guidance, and for their lives to be a signpost pointing others to Jesus.

Sermon Quotes

Following the way of Jesus is more than just a set of beliefs. It doesn’t just shape our religious affiliation. It impacts our whole lives. It's an invitation to live with Jesus, follow His pattern, and walk in His truth.

Sometimes we’re so focused on moving forward— in our life, our relationships, our careers— that we forget to stop and ask what’s actually driving us. The things we follow, consciously or unconsciously, have a powerful pull.

Too often we explain the gospel simply as being a ticket to heaven, eternal life being the reward for saying yes to Jesus once. But the truth is that saying yes to Jesus is more than a one-time decision. It’s a way of life.

The destination matters— but so does the way. We might all want to end up in the same place, but the path we choose reveals whether we’re following our culture, our desires, or our King.

The way of Jesus isn’t like a map that relies on you knowing what’s best. It’s more like a GPS— where Jesus guides you along the way, prompting you to shift, warning you of obstacles, and telling you when to turn around or reroute.

Our salvation is through Christ alone. Not our strength, not our knowledge, not our disciplines, not how often we serve, or how big our Bible app streak is. The only way is Jesus.

The narrow road requires intention. It may be demanding. It takes effort. But it leads to life. The way of Jesus shapes every decision, every relationship, every moment. It’s an act of surrender.

Each morning we decide which gate we’ll step through, which road we’ll walk. It’s easy to start with the destination in mind— wanting to follow Jesus. But it’s also easy to drift onto the wide road of comfort, complacency, distraction, and pride.

When you surrender, you suddenly feel like you don’t need the whole map. You don’t get caught up needing to know what’s next, because you know the next right step.

Jesus isn’t inviting us to just believe in Him, but to walk in His way— traveling God’s true road. The early church called themselves followers of the Way, not just a sect with peculiar beliefs, but people walking a new road revealed in Jesus.

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20251109_ADS_Transcript.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: Every Life Follows a Guide—Who Is Yours?

Day 2: Relationship, Not Ritual, Is the Heart of Faith

Day 3: The Narrow Road Demands Surrender and Daily Choice

Day 4: Trusting God’s Guidance One Step at a Time

Day 5: Your Journey Points Others Toward God

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Quotes

Chatbot

20251109_ADS_Transcript.pdf

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