Study Guide: Following Jesus
Quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB); please check each one in your own Bible.
The Big Idea
The big idea: Jesus calls his disciples to come after him, to love God and their neighbor, and to keep his commandments (Mark 8:34; 12:29–31; John 14:15).
Read Aloud
He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.
— Mark 8:34–35
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
— Matthew 11:28–30
One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
— Mark 12:28–31
Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
— John 15:9–12
They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together, and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
— Acts 2:42–47
Where We Stand
Scripture says
- Jesus said, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34).
- Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).
- The first commandment is to love “the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30). The second is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31).
- Jesus told the lawyer, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37).
- Jesus said, “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).
- Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
- Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.” (John 13:34).
- Jesus sent his disciples to teach others “to observe all things that I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20).
- The first disciples “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.” (Acts 2:42).
- Jesus said, “one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.” (Matthew 23:8).
We conclude
- Our conclusion: following Jesus means going where he goes and learning from him, as a disciple learns from a teacher (Matthew 11:29; 1 Peter 2:21).
- Our conclusion: Luke 14:26 speaks of what comes first, not of turning against family (Matthew 10:37; Mark 7:10–13; 1 Timothy 5:8).
- Our conclusion: the love Jesus asks is first of all love for the one God, his Father (Mark 12:29–30; John 20:17).
- Our conclusion: a disciple does not first ask who deserves his love, but whom he can help (Luke 10:36–37).
- Our conclusion: John warns against the world’s desires and pride, not against the people God loves (1 John 2:16; John 3:16).
- Our conclusion: keeping his commandments is how love for Jesus shows itself, not a price paid for it (John 14:21; Ephesians 2:8–10).
- Our conclusion: believers are not under the Law of Moses as a covenant, and are bound by the law of Christ (Romans 7:4–6; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2).
- Our conclusion: following Jesus includes belonging to his people, who meet, remember him and help one another (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24–25).
- Our conclusion: those who lead serve, and do not control the faith of others (Mark 10:43; 2 Corinthians 1:24).
The Hard Questions
- Doesn’t Jesus ask his disciples to turn against their families (Luke 14:26, 33; Matthew 10:36; Luke 9:60)? See The strongest objection under Jesus Calls His Disciples to Come After Him.
- Should a disciple keep away from everyone outside the group (1 John 2:15; James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14–17; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 5:11)? See The strongest objection under The First Commandment Is to Love God; the Second Is to Love Your Neighbor.
- Does following Jesus mean keeping the Ten Commandments, including the weekly Sabbath (Matthew 5:17–19; Genesis 2:3; Exodus 31:16–17; Hebrews 4:9)? See The strongest objection under Those Who Love Jesus Keep His Commandments.
- Can a believer hurt by a religious group follow Jesus alone (John 4:21–23; Revelation 18:4)? See The strongest objection under Disciples Follow Jesus Together, as Brothers Under One Teacher.
- What authority do church leaders and teachers have? See The authority of church leaders and teachers under Questions Answered.
- Does teaching handed down outside Scripture bind believers? See Teaching handed down outside Scripture under Questions Answered.
- Which commands bind believers? See The Sabbath, and which commands bind believers under Questions Answered.
- Does salvation depend on settling every one of these questions? See Whether salvation depends on these questions under Questions Answered.
Discussion Questions
- What did Jesus say to Simon and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee, and what did they do? (See the opening.)
- How does Matthew 10:37 help you read Luke 14:26? (See the answer under Jesus Calls His Disciples to Come After Him.)
- In Mark 12:29–31, which two commandments does Jesus name, and whom does he name as the God to be loved? (See The First Commandment Is to Love God; the Second Is to Love Your Neighbor.)
- What does John say is “in the world” (1 John 2:16), and how does John 17:15–18 fit with it? (See the answer under The First Commandment Is to Love God; the Second Is to Love Your Neighbor.)
- In John 14:21 and 15:10–11, what does Jesus promise to those who keep his commandments? (See Those Who Love Jesus Keep His Commandments.)
- After Peter denied Jesus, what did Jesus ask him, and what did he say to him at the end? (See Hope.)
Hope
John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). And Jesus promised those he sent, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).
For the Leader
Allow about 45 minutes for one session. Read Mark 8:34–35 first, then Matthew 11:28–30, Mark 12:28–31, John 15:9–12 and Acts 2:42–47. Invite everyone to open and check each verse in their own Bible.
© 2026 Elvis Lucas, Open the Text. Original: https://openthetext.com/series/the-good-news/09-following-jesus-study-guide/
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