Becoming a Disciple
Make a Decision About Jesus
PART 1 — THE KICKOFF
“What do I need to do to be saved?”
It’s crazy how many decisions we make every day. Walking through your grocery store, you’re faced with dozens of options. “Skim, 2%, organic, oat milk … or goat milk?!” “Would you like paper, plastic, or reusable bags?“ "Card or cash?" And some decisions are much more important than the ones we make at the market, like purchasing a home, growing your family, or changing careers. When the stakes are higher, it might involve a longer process full of pros and cons lists, discussions with good friends, and some real soul-searching. But at some point, when faced with all the options, it’s time to make the call. As Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!”
We’ve got some big questions ahead, so let’s start with an easy one: When you open the menu at a restaurant, do you want a huge variety of options or just a few signature items to choose from?
ICE BREAKER QUESTION
PART 2 — LET’S GET INTO IT
We’ve looked at the terrible sickness of sin and the brokenness it’s brought into the world around us. And turning to the cross, we’ve seen the incredible love that sent God’s son, Jesus, to save us. But, as that reality sinks in, now what? Where do you go from here? We stand at a fork in the road of faith, and we have to make a decision about Jesus!
Some Christians try to make the hard sell for Christianity, but Jesus did just the opposite. He gave the hard truths about following him. He wants our eyes open to the eternal gift he offers — but also to the cost. We’re not worthy of him if we put anyone ahead of him, even our own life (Luke 14:26). He says, "any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). Knowing we’ll face ridicule and difficulties, he requires us to willingly carry our own “cross” like the one he bore for us (Luke 14:27). He doesn’t want half-hearted, reluctant, or coerced disciples, but only those who are “all in” for him. If we’re with Jesus, our relationships, comfort, and possessions can’t come before our Lord.
Jesus gave his life for us, and now he invites us to give ours to him.
THE BIG IDEA
He says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). We’ve spoken about Jesus’ story, but like most great stories, the best part is the ending. Someday, he’ll return to conquer death and evil once and for all (1 Cor. 15:20-58). Those who stand with him will find rest forever in a new world where everything wrong here is set right (Rev. 21-22). It’s not the easiest life, but it’s the abundant, eternal life Jesus gave everything to bring us (John 10:10-11).
What do you think about the commitment required to follow Jesus?
REACH OUT QUESTION
PART 3 — INTO THE BOOK
Let’s get into the book with a reading about a guy with lots of questions who needed help making sense of what he read in the Bible. In a previous conversation we asked how Jesus changes things, then read in Isaiah that he “carried our sorrows” and took people’s sins upon himself (Isaiah 53:4,12). In Acts 8:26-40, an Ethiopian on a road trip home read that same passage, and the Lord brought him together with someone who could explain how to be saved. Read Acts 8:26-40 together and notice what this man learns and does when he hears about Jesus.
After reading, take some time to discuss it.
What does this passage in Acts 8:26-40 tell you about responding to the good news?
TALK ABOUT THE READING
PART 4 — GOING DEEPER
Now let’s go deeper with a closer look at some questions asked in the Bible about salvation. These four questions show the way to Christ and the good gifts he wants to bring us.
Not long after Jesus died, arose, and ascended into heaven, Peter proclaimed the significance of these events, concluding, “Therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). His message hit people hard and they asked the first question we’ll look at: “What shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-38).
The next question will look familiar since it’s where we started this conversation. After a prison guard watched the jail miraculously open to free two Christians — and then realized they were still there — he was ready to hear their message. He asked, “‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family” (Acts 16:31-33). That story ends with him rejoicing, just like the Ethiopian we read about earlier (Acts 16:34).
Our last two questions involve one of those men from that jail cell, the apostle Paul. He pointed people to the Bible, asking, “What does it say?” (Rom. 10:8). That’s our question, too, and he gives a helpful answer, “‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Rom. 10:8-10). Years earlier, someone brought Paul that saving word, asking him, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). What a question! Once you know and believe, why would you wait to call on Jesus to wash away your sins in baptism?
Are you ready to commit your life to serving the Lord?
THE BIG QUESTION
PART 5 — WRAPUP
THE CHALLENGE
We’ve come a long way in these talks, from our deepest needs to God’s decisive answer in Christ. And in this conversation, we’ve heard Jesus calling me — and you! — to follow him. It might be nice to suggest a baby step toward the Lord at this point — something small that doesn’t cost much. But when it comes to salvation, it’s either all or nothing. We either embrace the Lord or reject him. You might have more questions you want to discuss. You might need time to ponder this decision. But now you know what you need to know and what you need to do. So, if you're ready, declare your faith in Jesus, commit to following him, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.
NEXT TIME
Once you commit to Jesus as your King, you’ll have more to learn and new challenges to overcome. It’s just the first step in a lifelong walk with him. We'll make mistakes and keep growing, but as we journey with Jesus, we walk with other disciples to help along the way. And you’re never alone when God is with you every day.
CLOSING BLESSING
May God help us find the courage and faith to follow Jesus!