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By Andy Stanley Facilitator: Martin Edwards No matter what you believe No matter how you believe Jesus invites you to… Follow By Andy Stanley Facilitator: Martin Edwards

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

The Recap Session 1 – A Call to Follow Jesus’ invitation to follow him is not a religious invitation Jesus says join me and you will change Session 2 – What it looks like to follow Jesus They listened to Jesus They inconvenienced themselves in respect to Jesus That single step of faith allowed God to prove his faithfulness Session 3 – Fearless Jesus asks us, “Why are you so afraid?” God does not want us to have confidence in Him to honor him Only through overwhelming faith can you love those hard to love

Session 4 – Follow Wear Therefore, as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Session 4 – Follow Wear “Put on the full armor of God” “Clothe yourself in the Holy Spirit” So what should a Follower of Jesus wear?

Discussion Starter What’s your favorite sports team? To what extremes have you gone to show your support for your team?

Session 4 – Follow Wear Play Video

Table Talk – Session 1 When you think of the word “Christian,” what qualities come to mind? Are they positive or negative? Why? Talk about a time when you encountered a Christian who was more interested in making a point than making a difference. How did that person affect the way you view Jesus? In the video, Andy said, “All religions gravitate toward rule keeping instead of relationship building.” Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not?

Table Talk – Session 2 As you think about compassion, kindness, humility, and gentleness, which seems like it would be most difficult to live out in your relationships with others? Why? Read Colossians 3:12-14. What are some of the challenges to living the kind of life Jesus calls his followers to live? Think of one person in your life who is difficult to love. What is one thing you can do this week to better love that person? What can this group do to support you?

Moving Forward Jesus is more interested in us being disciples than disciplined Showing love over attending Church, reading Bible, praying Jesus says to love like He loved us What does that look like to you? How successful are you at that?

Pray for Your Spouse Your Family (immediate and extended) Your Friends (believers and non-believers) The Church (global) Our Church Body (local) Our Nation Finally for yourself

Preparation for Session 5 Day 1. Read Matthew 7:24-27. What challenges do you face in not just hearing Jesus’ words but putting them into practice? Day 2. Read Mark 8:31. Put yourself in the shoes of Jesus’ first-century followers who didn’t have full context of the crucifixion and resurrection. How do you think you would have responded to what Jesus said? Day 3. Read Mark 8:32. When has God disappointed your expectations? How did it affect your relationship with Him? Day 4. Read Mark 8:33. In what ways is God currently challenging you to keep his concerns in mind rather than concerns that are “merely human”? Day 5. Read Mark 8:34. What are some practical ways a modern follower of Jesus is challenged to take up his or her cross daily?