Tag: Follow Series

Join Bradon and Jon for 4 part series (Ep 182-185) about following God. Each episode includes discussion questions. Remember, there is nothing more important than a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

185 | Remain in My Love | follow part 4 of 4

Bible Story Podcast

185 | Remain in My Love | follow part 4 of 4

00:00 / 00:22:43

185 | Remain in My Love

We look at three questions related to remaining in Christ’s love. How do we do this, what comes from doing this, and how will our love grow?

John 15:1-17

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.

How do this

John 15:10

What’s the point?

John 15:7-8
1 John 3:22

How will my love grow?

John 3:16
1 Thes 5:10
Phil 2

Questions

Is God challenging you to be obedient in a certain area? What fruit may come from your obedience?
You can ask God for anything. What do you want to ask him for?
How is your love for other people changed as you receive and understand God’s love for you more deeply?

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Post date April 3, 2023
Tags Follow Series

184 | Let Me Teach You | follow part 3 of 4

Bible Story Podcast

184 | Let Me Teach You | follow part 3 of 4

00:00 / 00:17:10

184 | Let Me Teach You

We learn what it means to no longer be religious but embrace the relationship with God. Where you can be authentically you, flaws and all.

We also spoke about Jesus’ frustration with the religious leaders, their arrogance and how their teachings and rules became a burden to anyone trying to follow them.

Jesus’ teachings are not burdensome we can actually find rest by following what he taught!

Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Questions

The pressure to meet expectations can be overwhelming and exhausting!
What are the most difficult expectations for you, and where have they come from?
Do you find Jesus’ teachings heavy or light, burdensome or refreshing? Why?
Imagine you are living completely authentically. You turn, and Jesus is sitting beside you. What is his reaction to the life you are living?

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Post date March 27, 2023
Tags Follow Series

183 | Give Up Your Own Way | follow part 2 of 4

Bible Story Podcast

183 | Give Up Your Own Way | follow part 2 of 4

00:00 / 00:22:30

183 | Give Up Your Own Way

Today we wrestle with the shocking statement of Jesus, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

Luke 9:21-27

²¹Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. ²²“The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

²³Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. ²⁴If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁵And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? ²⁶If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. ²⁷I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

Giving Up your life

Mark 8:35
Matthew 8:18-22, 10:39, 16:25
John 12:25

Promises

By giving up your life, you save it. Luke 9:25
Eternity John 12:25, Luke 18:29-30
Honour John 12:26
Reward Matthew 10:40-42, Luke 18:29-30

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10

Questions

What might God be calling you to give up? What would be difficult about giving it up and why?
As you give this thing up, what do you need of God?
How can your group, mentors, and other Christian friends help and support you?

Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Post date March 20, 2023
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182 | It will be Completely Reorientating | follow part 1 of 4

Bible Story Podcast

182 | It will be Completely Reorientating | follow part 1 of 4

00:00 / 00:24:55

182 It will be Completely Reorientating

We discuss how responding to Jesus’ invitation is completely reorientating. The impact is immediate, it gives us a new purpose, and it is drastic!

Matthew 4:18-22

‘One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. ‘

John 1:40-42
‘Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ” ). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter” ). ‘

Luke 18:28-30
‘Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.” “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” ‘

Share your story about deciding to follow Jesus.

What were the circumstances around your decision to follow Jesus?
How did it impact you in the short term?
How drastic of a difference is your life today as a result of following Jesus?

Questions

Where are you with God?
- What role does Jesus play in your relationship with God?
- In what ways has your relationship with God changed over time?
What does your next step in following Jesus look like?
- What does it mean to “follow Jesus” in your daily life?
- What specific actions do you plan to take to grow closer to Jesus?
What is most difficult, scary, or intimidating about the next step?
- What are some potential obstacles that might hinder you from taking the next step?
- How can you overcome those obstacles and continue to follow Jesus?
- How can your group support you?