Learn the Story of Jesus
Season 3: Jesus Begins His Ministry
3.9 — Faith and Following Jesus
Faith and Following Jesus: Discipleship is more than believing; it is trusting, obeying, and walking with Christ.
3.9 — Faith and Following Jesus
What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?
By this point in Jesus’ ministry, crowds were growing larger.
People came for many reasons.
Some came because they had witnessed miracles.
Some came because they were curious.
Some came because they needed healing.
Others came because they truly wanted to follow Him.
As the crowds grew, Jesus began teaching an important truth:
There is a difference between admiring Jesus and following Jesus.
Faith is more than believing certain facts.
Faith involves trust, commitment, obedience, and a willingness to follow Christ even when the path is difficult.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly invited people to become disciples.
A disciple is not simply someone who listens.
A disciple follows.
This lesson brings together many themes from Season 3 and asks an important question:
What does it mean to truly follow Jesus?
Scripture References
Matthew 16:24–26
Luke 9:23–25
John 6:60–69
Matthew 7:24–27
James 2:14–26
The Story
As Jesus traveled and taught, people responded in different ways.
Some followed Him faithfully.
Some followed only when things were easy.
Some were excited by miracles but struggled with His teachings.
Others eventually walked away.
Jesus never promised an easy path.
Instead, He taught:
“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Jesus challenged people to place God above comfort, popularity, possessions, and personal ambitions.
Many wanted the benefits of following Jesus.
Fewer were willing to accept the cost.
One day, after a difficult teaching, many followers left.
Jesus turned to the Twelve disciples and asked if they also wanted to leave.
Peter answered:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”
Peter’s response captures the heart of discipleship.
Faith means trusting Jesus even when everything is not fully understood.
Understanding the Story
What Is Faith?
Biblical faith is more than believing that God exists.
Faith involves trust, confidence, loyalty, and dependence upon God.
It affects how people live, make decisions, and respond to life’s challenges.
What Is a Disciple?
A disciple is a learner, follower, and apprentice.
Jesus’ disciples learned from His teaching, observed His example, and sought to live according to His ways.
What Does “Take Up Your Cross” Mean?
When Jesus spoke these words, the cross was a symbol of sacrifice, suffering, and submission.
Jesus was calling His followers to place God’s will above their own desires and priorities.
Why Did Some People Stop Following Jesus?
Some people wanted miracles without commitment.
Others wanted a political leader rather than a Savior.
Jesus’ teachings often challenged expectations and required difficult choices.
Understanding Jesus
Following a Rabbi
In the first century, disciples often followed a rabbi closely. They learned not only by listening but by observing how the teacher lived. Following Jesus involved learning His teachings and imitating His life.
The Cost of Discipleship
Jesus never hid the challenges of following Him. Faithfulness sometimes required sacrifice, courage, perseverance, and trust during difficult circumstances.
Faith Is More Than Knowledge
Many people knew facts about Jesus. True discipleship involved trusting Him, obeying Him, and allowing Him to transform their lives.
Why Jesus Called Ordinary People
Jesus chose fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary workers. This reminds believers that discipleship is available to anyone willing to follow Him.
Connections can also be made to:
Old Testament Connections
Throughout Scripture, God calls people to trust Him and walk by faith.
Abraham left his homeland.
Moses led God’s people through the wilderness.
Joshua trusted God’s promises.
David followed God despite many difficulties.
The prophets remained faithful during challenging times.
Jesus’ call to discipleship continues this pattern of faith, trust, and obedience.
Missing Context Check
Did Jesus Expect Perfection?
No.
The disciples often made mistakes, misunderstood Jesus, and struggled with fear.
Jesus called imperfect people and helped them grow.
Does Faith Mean Never Having Questions?
No.
Many disciples had questions.
Faith involves trusting God even while continuing to learn and grow.
What Is the Difference Between Believing and Following?
A person can know facts about Jesus without becoming a disciple.
Following Jesus involves trust, obedience, relationship, and transformation.
Bringing Season 3 Together
Throughout this season we have seen:
John preparing the way.
Jesus being baptized.
Jesus facing temptation.
Jesus calling disciples.
Jesus performing miracles.
Jesus teaching the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus healing the sick.
Jesus teaching through parables.
Each lesson points to the same truth:
Jesus is inviting people into God’s Kingdom.
Faith involves responding to that invitation.
Key Themes
Faith Requires Trust
Faith involves relying on Jesus even when the future is uncertain.
Discipleship Is a Journey
Following Jesus involves ongoing growth and learning.
Jesus Calls Ordinary People
Anyone can become a disciple.
Obedience Matters
Faith affects daily choices and actions.
Why This Lesson Matters
Many people admire Jesus.
Fewer choose to follow Him completely.
This lesson challenges readers to move beyond curiosity and become committed disciples.
Following Jesus shapes relationships, priorities, decisions, attitudes, and purpose.
The call to discipleship remains just as relevant today as it was beside the Sea of Galilee.
Connecting to Jesus
Jesus does not merely invite people to believe information about Him.
He invites people into a relationship with Him.
Christians believe Jesus is:
Teacher,
Savior,
Messiah,
Lord,
and King.
Following Jesus means trusting Him with every area of life.
Living the Message
This week:
Reflect on what it means to follow Jesus in your daily life.
Read Matthew 16:24–26.
Pray about areas where God may be calling you to greater trust or obedience.
Consider how your choices reflect your faith.
Look for opportunities to serve others as Jesus served.
Reflection Questions
What is the difference between believing in Jesus and following Jesus?
Possible answers:
Believing involves accepting truth; following involves trust, obedience, and discipleship.
What is a disciple?
Possible answers:
A disciple is a learner and follower who seeks to become more like Jesus.
Why did some people stop following Jesus?
Possible answers:
Some wanted miracles or benefits without commitment and obedience.
What does “take up your cross” mean?
Possible answers:
It means placing God’s will above personal comfort, desires, and priorities.
How can believers follow Jesus today?
Possible answers:
Through prayer, worship, Scripture, obedience, service, and daily faithfulness.
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
Jesus calls people to follow Him as disciples and citizens of God’s Kingdom.
Reasons We Believe
Jesus offers eternal life, truth, forgiveness, and a relationship with God.
Obedience in Action
Choose one practical way to follow Jesus more intentionally this week.
Walk It Out
Ask God to show you one area where He is inviting you to grow as a disciple.
Related Pages
Prayer and Worship Preparation
Understanding Jesus: Cultural Insights
Continue Learning
Season 4 — Miracles, Opposition, and Growing Faith
Jesus called ordinary people to follow Him.
The invitation remains the same today.
“Follow Me.”
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith at PGUM.org.
