What God Expects From Every Follower of Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Following Jesus Into the Deep Waters of Discipleship

When Jesus called fishermen to become fishers of men, He invited them beyond shallow obedience into transformational relationship. True discipleship begins with daily choices to walk where Christ walks, learn His rhythms, and embrace His mission. Like Peter casting nets into unknown depths, followers today trade predictable routines for the adventure of becoming more like Jesus with each step. Growth happens not in safe harbors but in the wake of the Savior’s leading. [00:44]

“And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What familiar shore is Jesus asking you to leave behind this week? How might saying “yes” to His call today prepare you for deeper waters tomorrow?

Day 2: The Covenant of Daily “I Do’s” in Discipleship

A wedding vow starts a marriage, but love grows through daily acts of faithfulness. Similarly, following Jesus begins with surrender but thrives through small, consistent choices: turning off the phone to pray, resisting gossip, or choosing patience in traffic. These moments form the muscle memory of holiness. Just as a spouse learns their partner’s heart over decades, disciples discover Christ’s character not in grand gestures but in ten thousand ordinary obediences. [02:09]

“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.” (Romans 12:1, ESV)

Reflection: Which “ordinary moment” this week became an altar for spiritual growth? Where do you need grace to choose faithfulness when no one is watching?

Day 3: Purging Compromise: Cooking Goats and Killing Sin

God’s command against boiling a young goat in its mother’s milk seems strange until we see His heart: no room for subtle cruelty masked as tradition. Likewise, disciples must purge “acceptable” sins—the eye rolls, white lies, or bitterness we’ve domesticated. Holiness isn’t about avoiding scandalous evil but exterminating the termites of compromise. Every rationalized sin, however small, betrays the covenant to become wholly His. [25:44]

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2, ESV)

Reflection: What “kitchen sin” have you tolerated as harmless? How does its presence hinder your capacity to reflect God’s radical holiness?

Day 4: Brisket, Brotherhood, and Building Kingdom Depth

Jesus didn’t recruit disciples in synagogues but over fish fries and foot-washings. Modern discipleship thrives in shared meals and laughter as much as Bible studies. A barbecue grill or coffee shop becomes holy ground when believers shoot the breeze over brisket while intentionally sharpening each other’s faith. Casual environments lower defenses, making space for gospel conversations and authentic growth. [21:01]

“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.” (Acts 2:46, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your circle needs an invitation to “brisket before Bible study”? How could casual fellowship become your next intentional discipleship tool?

Day 5: When God Pokes Your Ribs: Courage at the Claw Machine

The Spirit often prods believers like a persistent friend nudging them to speak up. At an ice cream shop claw machine, conviction turned a missed gospel opportunity into a bold conversation. Discipleship means living with “sandals on”—ready to wade into awkward moments, trusting that obedience matters more than outcomes. Every “What if I fail?” is answered by Christ’s promise to walk with us to the end of the age. [47:09]

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” (Romans 10:14, ESV)

Reflection: Where is God poking your ribs to act? What fear holds you back from believing your obedience could alter someone’s eternity?

Sermon Summary

Discipleship begins with Jesus saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Discipleship is not just an invitation to believe something, but an invitation to follow someone until that follower becomes more like him. The first disciples literally walked behind Jesus, watched him, learned from him, then went and taught others to do the same thing. Discipleship today starts with trusting Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, but that “I do” moment is the beginning of the covenant, not the finish line.

God sets expectations for people who say they belong to Jesus. Those expectations are not set by Solid Rock or any church leader, but by God himself. Leviticus says, “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy,” and that standard is way higher than “pretty good” or “better than somebody else.” Holiness will not be fully reached this side of eternity, but holiness is still the target God gives.

Pursuing holiness means getting a handle on sin instead of making peace with it. Romans 6 refuses the idea that grace gives permission to keep living in sin. Sin cannot be sorted into “really bad,” “pretty bad,” and “everyday sins” that are somehow okay. Gossip, anger, and the stuff that seems small still signed the death warrant and still put Jesus on the cross.

Spending time with Jesus is also part of discipleship. Joshua 1:8 calls God’s people to meditate on the Word and obey it. Personal time in Scripture and prayer matters, and so does time with other believers. One eye can see, but both eyes bring depth perception, and discipleship needs personal study, small group life, and gathered worship.

Sharing the gospel belongs to every Jesus follower. Matthew 28 sends the church to make disciples, and Romans 10 asks how people can believe if they have not heard. New believers may not feel polished, but if someone knows enough to trust Jesus, that person knows enough to tell somebody else about him. The harvest is plentiful, and God is still asking, “Who’s gonna go?”

Men’s and women’s ministry, small groups, and discipleship groups exist as practical ways to help Jesus followers live out those expectations. Relationships matter because Christian growth was never meant to happen in isolation. Small groups help with Scripture, prayer, and gospel accountability, while discipleship groups create a smaller, safer place to talk honestly about sin, Bible reading, and people who need Jesus. Accountability is not just cleaning up after failure, but protecting what matters on the front end.

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Key Takeaways

1. Grace never excuses settled sin. Romans 6 refuses the idea that grace makes sin safe. The gospel does not create a category for “everyday sins” that can stay untouched because they seem normal or socially acceptable. A small sin is still deadly because sin is measured by the holiness of God and the cross of Christ, not by comparison with somebody worse. [05:48]
2. Holiness is the real target. God does not call his people to be pretty good, better than average, or impressive compared to somebody else. “Be holy, for I am holy” sets the direction of the whole Christian life, even though that target will not be fully reached before eternity. A high standard does not crush the disciple when it comes from the God who also gives grace, but it does keep the disciple from getting comfortable with compromise. [03:53]
3. Discipleship needs depth perception. Personal time with God matters, and time with other believers matters too. Scripture, prayer, church, small group, and close accountability do not replace each other, because each one helps a believer see God and self more clearly. One eye can still see, but both eyes bring depth, and Christian growth needs that fuller vision. [08:29]
4. Accountability works before failure. Accountability is not only for confessing what already went wrong. It also helps a believer name danger before temptation gets loud, isolation gets easy, and pride says, “That would never be me.” Asking someone to pray, check in, and tell the truth can make the whole story wonderfully anticlimactic. [43:24]
5. Named people get prayed for. General concern for the lost often stays general, but named people create specific prayer, specific courage, and specific follow through. Small groups can help believers move from “sharing the gospel more” to actually asking who needs to hear about Jesus this week. The church is not responsible for saving people, but it is responsible for opening its mouth.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:44] - Discipleship Starts With Following Jesus
[02:09] - Salvation Is the Starting Point
[03:21] - Three Expectations for Jesus Followers
[03:53] - God’s Standard Is Holiness
[05:02] - Getting a Handle on Sin
[07:44] - Spending Daily Time With God
[10:58] - Sharing the Gospel Is Everyone’s Job
[14:29] - Growth Requires Personal Responsibility
[16:14] - Relationships Matter in Ministry
[22:07] - Small Groups Build Accountability
[31:23] - What Discipleship Groups Do
[33:05] - Testimonies From Discipleship Groups
[41:23] - Accountability Before Temptation
[45:56] - Accountability for Sharing the Gospel
[49:35] - Getting Involved in Discipleship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 4:19
“And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” [00:44]

Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” [03:53]

Romans 6:1-2
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” [05:02]

Joshua 1:8
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” [07:49]

Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [10:36]

Romans 10:13-15
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” [12:39]

Observation questions

In Matthew 4:19, what two things does Jesus say he will do in the lives of those who follow him? [00:44]
In Leviticus 19:2, what standard does God set for his people, and what reason does he give for that standard? [03:53]
What are the three main areas of discipleship that were emphasized: what should believers be doing with sin, with time with God, and with the gospel? [03:21]
In Romans 10:13-15, what chain of events has to happen for someone to call on the Lord and be saved? [12:39]

Interpretation questions

If following Jesus means becoming more like him, what does that suggest discipleship is supposed to be beyond simply agreeing with Christian truth? [01:07]
God’s command is, “Be holy, for I am holy.” How should that shape the way a believer thinks about “small” sins like gossip, harsh anger, or other habits that often get excused? [05:48]
Joshua 1:8 calls for meditation on God’s Word, and believers also need life with other believers. Why is personal time with God alone not meant to replace gathered worship, small groups, or close accountability? [08:29]
Accountability is not only for confessing failure after the fact. Why is accountability before temptation or before a hard conversation often one of the wisest forms of spiritual help? [43:24]

Application questions

Following Jesus begins with trust in him, but it also means continuing to follow him day by day. Where does that daily choice feel hardest right now: fighting sin, spending time with God, or speaking about Jesus? [02:11]
Grace never gives permission to settle into sin. Is there any sin that has started to feel normal, manageable, or not that serious in your life? What would it look like to stop making peace with it? [07:44]
Time with God needs to exist outside church walls. What does personal Scripture reading and prayer actually look like for you right now, and what is one realistic step that could help it become more consistent this week? [08:07]
Christian growth was never meant to happen in isolation. Where do you tend to pull back from others: gathered worship, small group, honest friendship, or accountability? What makes that hard for you? [16:49]
Named people get prayed for and remembered. Who are one or two specific people in your life who need to hear about Jesus, and how can this group pray for you to have courage and follow through? [27:36]
Accountability works best on the front end, not only after a fall. Is there a situation coming up where you already know temptation, fear, or compromise may show up? What would it look like to invite prayer and accountability before that happens? [45:13]
Sharing the gospel belongs to every believer, even when it feels awkward. When was the last time you sensed an opening to speak about Jesus and either took it or avoided it? What do you think was going on in your heart in that moment? [48:59]

Sermon Clips

50s

#EquippedToShare

“``So, you know, maybe if you if you come to know Jesus yesterday, you might today feel like, well, I'm not equipped. Like, I don't know how to share the gospel. And while that may be true, you may be not as good at sharing the gospel on day one as you would be on day 50, but that does not mean you are not equipped. If you are equipped enough to accept Jesus, then you know enough to be able to share him with somebody else. So, you will get better. It does take time. It is a skill even though we we have the holy spirit with us. I mean, talking is a skill. Like, you will get better as you go along. But point being, if you claim Jesus as your savior, it is your responsibility to share him with the world.”

47s

#EveryoneSharesTheGospel

“So this is one of the, specifically expressed missions of the church, of people who, claim to be Jesus followers, is that you're sharing it with other people, that you're leveraging the relationships that you have to bring God's kingdom here, to, help other people to learn about Jesus, understand who he is, and to be able to accept him as well. Sharing the gospel does not just fall on the shoulders of, church staff or of small group leaders or deacons or teachers of the kids or whoever else is in any form of leadership. Sharing the gospel falls on the shoulders of every single person who has placed their trust in Jesus, and you can get better at it.”

42s

#AccountabilityWorks

“Reason I point this out is because accountability with each other to share the gospel works because it worked. Like, if I don't tell you guys in that last sermon, need to do this better that happens, like, I probably listened to those excuses, because I was making them hard. Like I said, he already left. accountability with sharing the gospel works because it's already started working. This is why we want to have this in our small groups. This is why we want to identify people by name because it works, and we need to take that seriously because people are dying and going to hell.”

40s

#NameAndPray

“But we want to encourage each other to name names. Right? Tomorrow night, Monday night small group. I'll say, hey. Who who do we need to share the gospel with? We've got some names. Hopefully, if you're there, you're thinking already who who in your world do you know that needs the gospel? Maybe it's somebody from work, maybe it's a family member. And first off, do you believe prayer works? Because if so, then how about we recruit the other 10 or 15 people that we're meeting with every week to also pray for these people that we care about so that they can accept the gospel.”

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Solid Rock Baptist Church, Bentonville, AR This sermon · AI assistant

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