Sunday Evening Service
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Richard Sutton taught that Jesus' primary call to His followers was not to admire Him or agree with Him, but to follow Him. He made this invitation "Follow me" thirteen times throughout the Gospels, and those who heard it—Peter, Andrew, Matthew, and others—left everything to follow. While the word "Christian" appears only three times in the New Testament, the word "disciple" appears 272 times, indicating that discipleship was Jesus' preferred description for His followers. The Greek word mathetes means "learner" or "apprentice," emphasizing that being a disciple involves transformation, not merely information gathering. True disciples lived with their teachers, learned from their example, and gradually became like them. Similarly, Jesus modeled His life before His disciples, teaching them to think, speak, and respond as He did. Sutton emphasized that in John 8:31, Jesus declared that those who continue in His word are truly His disciples, highlighting the importance of ongoing commitment rather than one-time decisions. He then addressed the cost of discipleship found in Luke 9:23: denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus. To deny yourself means to stop centering your life on yourself and instead make Jesus the Lord of your life. Taking up your cross daily reflects a commitment to obedience even when it's difficult, uncomfortable, or countercultural. Sutton illustrated that following Jesus requires active choice and perseverance through challenging circumstances, rather than passive agreement.
Key Scriptures
If you continue in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine.