Following Jesus: A Journey of Grace and Community

Oct 05, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Walking as Jesus Walked: The Call to Discipleship

To walk as Jesus walked is to intentionally follow Him closely, learning from His example, teachings, and character in every aspect of life. This means not just believing in Jesus, but actively imitating His way of living—listening for His voice, surrendering our own plans, and allowing ourselves to be shaped by His Spirit. The journey of discipleship is not about perfection, but about proximity: staying close enough to the Rabbi to hear His words, see His actions, and respond without hesitation, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. [35:38]

1 John 2:5-6 (ESV)
"But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."

Reflection: What is one area of your daily routine where you can intentionally imitate Jesus’ example today, even if it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar?

Day 2: Listening for the Shepherd’s Voice

Discipleship is rooted in recognizing and responding to the voice of the Good Shepherd, trusting that He knows our needs and will lead us step by step. Just as sheep learn to follow their shepherd from tuft to tuft of grass in the wilderness, we are called to trust Jesus for our daily provision, listening for His guidance in the small and large decisions of life. This posture of trust and surrender means letting go of our need to control the journey and instead following where He leads, confident that He will provide what we need, when we need it. [46:46]

Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)
"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God inviting you to trust His guidance today, even if the path ahead is uncertain?

Day 3: The Ancient Paths: Seeking and Walking in God’s Way

God invites us to stand at the crossroads and intentionally seek out the “ancient paths”—the good way that leads to life, peace, and purpose. This means pausing to ask for God’s direction, being willing to walk in the way He reveals, and resisting the temptation to forge our own path apart from Him. Choosing the ancient path is an act of humility and faith, acknowledging that God’s wisdom and ways are trustworthy, even when they differ from the world’s advice or our own instincts. [35:03]

Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
"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.'"

Reflection: What decision or crossroads are you facing right now where you need to pause, seek God’s direction, and choose His way over your own?

Day 4: You Are Chosen: Worthiness in Christ

Jesus’ call to “come, follow me” is not based on our worthiness or achievements, but on His gracious choice and love for us. Like the first disciples, who were not chosen by any other rabbi, we are invited by Jesus Himself to be His followers—not because we have earned it, but because He has chosen us. This truth frees us from shame and striving, reminding us that our identity and value are found in being chosen by Christ, no matter our past or present struggles. [01:02:41]

John 15:16 (ESV)
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle to feel worthy of following Jesus, and how can you rest today in the truth that He has chosen you?

Day 5: Feet Fitted with Readiness: Living Out the Gospel

Our daily lives—where our feet take us—are opportunities to live out the gospel, bearing witness to Jesus through our actions, words, and relationships. Just as the armor of God includes feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, we are called to be prepared to share Christ’s love wherever we go. This means being attentive to the Spirit’s leading, looking for ways to serve, encourage, and speak hope, and allowing our lives to reflect the character and message of Jesus in every setting. [49:16]

Ephesians 6:15 (ESV)
"And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."

Reflection: Who is one person you will encounter this week that you can intentionally serve or encourage as a way of living out the gospel?

Sermon Summary

Today, the invitation is simple yet profound: Jesus calls each of us by name, saying, “Come, follow me.” This call is not just a one-time decision but a daily journey of discipleship, of learning to walk as Jesus walked. The imagery of taking off our sandals and placing them before us serves as a tangible reminder of the paths we walk and the closeness we are invited to have with our Rabbi. Just as the disciples in Jesus’ day followed their teacher closely—so closely that the dust from his feet would cover theirs—we are called to stay near to Christ, attentive to his voice and responsive to his leading.

Discipleship is not about our worthiness or qualifications. In the culture of Jesus’ time, only the most promising students were chosen by a rabbi to follow him. Yet Jesus turns this on its head, choosing ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, and each of us—regardless of our background or perceived worth. The power of this call is not in our deserving, but in Christ’s choosing. He says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” This is grace: no matter where we have been or what we have done, Jesus invites us to walk with him.

Walking as Jesus walked means more than just believing; it means living out his teachings, imitating his character, and surrendering our lives to his guidance. Like sheep following the shepherd, we trust that he knows our needs and will lead us to green pastures—even if those pastures look different than we expect. The journey is not always easy or clear, but it is marked by trust, surrender, and a willingness to follow wherever he leads, even when it means stepping into the unknown or the uncomfortable.

We are also reminded that discipleship is not a solitary endeavor. We walk this path together, supporting one another, learning together, and encouraging each other to grow deeper roots in Christ. Whether through spiritual practices, fellowship, or intentional relationships, we are called to be a community that helps one another walk as Jesus walked. As we put our shoes back on and step into the week ahead, may we do so with a renewed sense of purpose, listening for the Shepherd’s voice, and ready to follow wherever he leads.

Key Takeaways

1. Discipleship Begins with Surrender and Closeness The call to follow Jesus is an invitation to walk closely with him, not lagging behind but staying near enough to hear his voice and receive his teaching. This requires a posture of surrender, like clay in the potter’s hands, allowing ourselves to be shaped and transformed by his Spirit. True discipleship is not about keeping a safe distance but about intimacy and attentiveness to Christ’s leading. [37:35]
2. Jesus Chooses the Unlikely and the Unworthy In the world’s eyes, only the best and brightest were chosen to follow a rabbi, but Jesus chooses those who feel unworthy or overlooked. Our worthiness is not the basis for his call; rather, it is his grace and initiative that make us disciples. No matter our past or present struggles, Jesus’ words, “You did not choose me, but I chose you,” assure us that we are wanted and welcomed into his journey. [62:41]
3. Walking as Jesus Walked Means Daily Trust and Obedience The life of a disciple is marked by daily trust—trusting the Shepherd to provide, to guide, and to lead us from “tuft to tuft” in the landscape of our lives. Obedience is not always glamorous or easy; it often means stepping into the unknown, letting go of excuses, and following even when it is uncomfortable. This daily walk is where transformation happens, as we learn to depend on God for our “daily bread.” [46:30]
4. Discipleship is Lived Out in Community and Practice We are not called to walk alone. The journey of following Jesus is meant to be shared, practiced, and encouraged within community. Through shared spiritual disciplines, honest fellowship, and intentional relationships, we help one another grow deeper roots and become more like Christ. Our lives become a witness to others as we walk together in faith and love. [27:05]
5. The Goal is to Become Like the Rabbi—To Live, Love, and Teach as Jesus Did The ultimate aim of discipleship is not just to learn about Jesus, but to become like him—to live as he lived, love as he loved, and teach as he taught. This means allowing his yoke—his teachings and way of life—to shape our own, so that our feet are “fitted with the readiness of the gospel.” As we walk in his steps, our lives become a living testimony to the world of who Jesus is.

** [51:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:46] - Opening Prayer
[22:39] - Announcements and Giving
[27:05] - Deeper Roots: Spiritual Practices Invitation
[27:45] - Upcoming Fellowship Events
[28:37] - Dismissal of Kids and Youth
[30:03] - The Call: “Come, Follow Me”
[30:24] - The Armor of God and Discipleship Images
[32:13] - Walking as Jesus Walked: Sandals Illustration
[34:29] - Scripture Readings: The Ancient Paths
[36:29] - Following the Rabbi: Israel Story
[41:06] - The Pool at En Gedi: Following Without Hesitation
[44:22] - The Good Shepherd and Daily Provision
[52:24] - Discipleship in Jesus’ Day: The Three Schools
[57:15] - Jesus’ Radical Call: “I Chose You”
[64:34] - Responding to the Call and Closing Prayer
[74:19] - Final Blessing and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Come, Follow Me”

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
> 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.’”

Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)
> And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

1 John 2:6 (ESV)
> Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Observation Questions

In Jeremiah 6:16, what are the people told to do at the crossroads, and what is the promise if they walk in the “good way”?
According to Isaiah 30:21, how does God guide his people when they are unsure of which way to go?
In 1 John 2:6, what is the evidence that someone truly “abides in” Jesus?
The sermon used the image of taking off our sandals and placing them before us. What did this act represent for the congregation? [[32:49]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said, “Discipleship is not about our worthiness or qualifications. In the culture of Jesus’ time, only the most promising students were chosen by a rabbi to follow him. Yet Jesus turns this on its head, choosing ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, and each of us—regardless of our background or perceived worth.” Why is it significant that Jesus chooses the unlikely and the unworthy? [[01:02:21]]
The pastor described following a rabbi so closely that “the dust from his feet would cover theirs.” What does this say about the kind of relationship Jesus wants with his disciples? [[48:13]]
The sermon talked about sheep following the shepherd and trusting him for “daily bread.” What does it mean to trust Jesus for daily provision, even when the “pastures” look different than we expect? [[46:30]]
The message emphasized that discipleship is not a solitary journey. Why is community so important in following Jesus? [[27:05]]

Application Questions

The sermon invited everyone to “take off their sandals” as a symbol of surrender and closeness to Jesus. Is there an area of your life where you sense God asking you to surrender or draw closer? What would it look like to take a step of surrender this week? [[32:49]]
Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” Do you ever feel unworthy or overlooked in your faith journey? How does knowing that Jesus chose you personally change the way you see yourself and your calling? [[01:02:41]]
The pastor shared a story about jumping into the pool at En Gedi without hesitation when the rabbi called, “Come, follow me.” Are there areas where you hesitate to follow Jesus because of fear, comfort, or excuses? What is one practical way you can respond more quickly to Jesus’ leading this week? [[41:06]]
The sermon described discipleship as “walking as Jesus walked”—not just believing, but imitating his character and surrendering to his guidance. What is one specific teaching or character trait of Jesus you want to imitate more closely? How can you practice this in your daily life? [[51:13]]
The message said, “We are not called to walk alone.” Who in your life helps you follow Jesus more closely? Is there someone you could encourage or invite to walk with you in discipleship this month? [[27:05]]
The pastor talked about trusting Jesus for “daily bread” and following him “from tuft to tuft” even when the path is unclear. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to trust God for just the next step? How can you practice trusting him in that area this week? [[46:30]]
As you “put your shoes back on” and step into the week ahead, what is one intentional action you can take to listen for the Shepherd’s voice and follow where he leads? [[01:05:23]]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to surrender, for ears to hear Jesus’ voice, and for hearts ready to follow—together as a community.

Sermon Clips

“So Jesus has called your name, saying, come, follow me. And so you've decided to follow Jesus. And there's a big, huge question. Now what? Now what? Well, first thing is. First is a few weeks ago, we talked about putting on the armor of God. It's one of the first things we can do. Putting on a helmet of salvation, right? Well, whose salvation? Salvation in Jesus. Name in Jesus. A breastplate of righteousness. Well, whose righteousness? Well, Jesus. Righteousness, right? Not. Not our own righteousness, but Jesus taking. Putting on a belt of truth, right? Well, whose truth? Well, God's truth. The truth of God's word. The truth that is Jesus. His call on our life, what he created us to be and what he redeemed us to be.”

“A shield that has everything to do with surrender and trust, which, quite frankly, is this image we had two weeks ago of being clay in the potter's hands, of complete surrender and trust. Of being pliable, moldable, allowing the spirit of God in our life as we follow him, right? To shape us, to transform and reform us.”

“Wherever he's going to lead, don't follow too far behind. You need to stay close or you'll miss the path, you'll miss the teaching, you'll miss the following, and therefore you'll miss it all. And he was right. For someone being much older than the rest of us, this man could hike, and you had to keep up. Our journey began in the desert as we hiked arid desert landscape, all the while listening to the teachings along the way. And by the way, if you lagged behind, you would miss much of the teaching. Along the way of traveling, you needed to stay close, you needed to hear the rabbi's words.”

“He would almost be shaking his head. Isn't it enough for you to just follow me? Isn't it enough to just be with me now? Yes. Ray is a human being, like we are. He's not Jesus, but he's trying to teach us something. What does discipleship look like?”

“Do you get it when Jesus says, follow me. Do what the rabbi does. Teach what the rabbi teaches. Say what the rabbi says. Live out how Jesus lives. It was powerful. There's so many reasons not to follow. What would they be? I could spend some time with you, right, Just listing them. I want you to just think what pops into your mind. Like, what are some reasons why not to follow?”

“What does it mean to be, like, pliable in the potter's hands? To be clay, to be moldable, transformable? What kind of. Of posture is needed there? What does it look like to be a tree planted by a stream of water that meditates on God's word day and night? To be like a tree, right, that yields its fruit in season as it was created to you and I, a tree that's. Leaves are green, that provides shade, right, for other people, that produces fruit. What does it mean to produce seeds that hit the ground and begin to grow other saplings, so to speak, to make disciples. What does it look like to walk as Jesus walked and to be in his footsteps?”

“Disciples, followers of Jesus, who hear the voice of the shepherd. That's Jesus, by the way, with a capital S, right? The good shepherd saying, come, follow me. I am your shepherd. You are the sheep. I will lead you into green pastures, quiet waters. I'll restore your soul. I'll lead you in paths of righteousness for the Lord and for God's glory and for his sake. It's what we were created for.”

“No, the lesson is follow the shepherd wherever he will go. He knows what your needs are. In fact, he knows what you need before you even need it. And all we have to do is follow, to hear his voice and follow, and he will lead us from tuft to tuft, giving us everything we need.”

“It takes on new meaning. Like, what does it mean to be a disciple? It means to follow Jesus, hear his voice, the good shepherd, to give us, Lord, this day our daily bread, to trust him to be pliable, to be in God's word, allowing him to shape us.”

“How do sheep recognize the shepherd's voice? Well, it's the Holy Spirit that we know in Christianity, whispering the word of God to us. It's the actual word of God itself in scripture that's alive and active. It guides, corrects, leads, shapes, fills, transforms. As we do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from God, the Good Shepherd. Trust. Surrender. Trust. Obedience. Trust. Faithfulness. Trust. Confession. Trust. Trust. Trust.”

“What does it look like to follow somebody? It looks like being really close. So close that your feet are dusty from the rabbi as you walk behind him. And I wonder, right, like, when you think about your sandals, how dusty are they in the sense of actually following Jesus, wherever your feet may go?”

“Are your feet, which is representative of your life. And whatever paths you take and where you go, are they guided by God? Is God on the way there with you? Are your sandals dusty because you are close to him, right, in the sense of being surrendered? You're trusting Him. You're looking to him for your every need. What does that look like to you? It certainly looks like learning. It looks like watching. It looks like a close relationship with Jesus.”

“To be a disciple is to follow in his steps, to become like him. And for three years, the disciples walked with Jesus. I mean, think about that. Three years. They literally followed him everywhere he went. They heard his every teaching. They breathed the same air. They witnessed the same miracles. To know and interpret the Scriptures as He did. That's what they were learning. To pray as he did, to obey God's law as he did, to love as he did, to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God as He did, to make disciples as he did.”

“In the Hebrew. When it talks about living or talks about walking, they're really one in the same. Living is walking, and walking is living. So think about your feet. Where do they take you each week? How do they take you? What does your own following look like? Who are you following? How are you following? Where do your feet take you? Just essential questions like that.”

“For every Jewish boy, you would Want to be the superstar generally in that culture, the one where the rabbi recognizes you and your gifts and your skills and your devotion, your intellect, maybe whatever it may be, your heart for following. And he says, would you come and follow me? It was a high, high honor to be asked by a rabbi. You would drop everything. What would you do? You would follow them, you would live with them, you would learn from them so that you could be just like the rabbi. Isn't that cool to know? Because Jesus comes to every one of us. And in Jesus Christ, right, Jesus says, would you come and follow me?”

“At the Last Supper, he says, you didn't choose me, I chose you. That's what Jesus does. Repent. The kingdom of God is near. Come, follow me. Talmidim. So, wow. Do you hear the word hagah? I do. Hagah, right? A passion like that. Now you may say, well, wow, that's not me. I want you to hear the power of these words again. Jesus says, you didn't choose me, I chose you.”

“Am I deserving to follow Jesus? No. How would you answer that? I would tend to say no. This is something interesting about Scripture, that if you don't know the context of some of these things, you'll miss it. And it's this. What were the disciples doing when Jesus went to call them? What were they doing? What is that? Fishing. It's a treat. What does that mean? They were not selected by a rabbi. So I ask you, do you feel deserving of being a disciple? God says, I choose you. You didn't choose me, I chose you. And that is what makes us deserving and worthy. Right. To pick it up and follow him. It doesn't matter how far you strayed. It doesn't matter what paths you've been down. It doesn't matter. Even the struggles you're currently going through, all of these kind of things are part of the journey of discipleship. We don't choose him, he chooses us. And he says, come, follow me.”

“To walk in it, to know God's voice, to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit behind you and in your life, to hear the voice of the good shepherd up ahead, to ask where the good path is and follow it. That's discipleship, to surrender to it in Hebrew. Right. Living is walking and walking is living.”

“What it means when Jesus said, I chose you. Come and follow me. What is the spirit leading you to pray into about that this week? Something about your witness or about your character or just about your person, your. Your behavior, the relationships you have where God is actually calling you to follow him, to be like him. And think about some of the most powerful teachings Jesus gives. That. That is a word for you in the sense of following and being just like Jesus. It's discipleship.”

“You can also just make yourself available to regular Sunday worship. I really want to encourage that today. It's. It's a lesser value. We are super mobile. That's not about guilt. It's more about. That's the reality. So what I'm asking as your pastor is just simply that if you can't be here, you get online that week and you listen to the message so that you can be in step. You can understand where we're going. You can actually be in step. Right. As we all go through this together.”

“If some of you are feeling led to be involved in more of a one on one discipleship relationship with somebody. We would love for you to let Dionne and I know and we will start thinking about what that could look like, have a discussion about that. And if you'd like to join in on that, it'll give you a great language of the gospel. Your feet will be ready with the gospel by the time you've gone through something like that. So really about relationship probably requires, you know, every other week to almost every week just 45 minutes an hour together with somebody.”

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