Following the Way of Jesus
Know Christ more fully—His work, His reign, His return, and the life He calls us to emulate.
BDL teaching resources · 6 min read
Jesus does more than offer a useful example. He is the eternal Son of God who became truly human, lived without sin, died for sinners, and rose again. Following His way begins by trusting who He is and what He has done. From that foundation, we learn to think, love, serve, and obey as His disciples.
Read alongside: John 1:1–18; Colossians 1:15–20; Mark 8:34–38; Philippians 2:5–11; Hebrews 12:1–3
Know the Savior before imitating the example
The opening of John’s Gospel presents Jesus as the Word who was with God and was God, and who became flesh. His humanity is real, and His deity is undiminished. In Him we see the Father made known. We cannot reduce Him to an inspiring moral teacher or reshape Him into a spokesman for our preferences. We receive Him as Scripture reveals Him.
The cross exposes the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s love. Jesus willingly gave His life, and His resurrection declares His victory over death. We are reconciled to God through Him, not through an impressive record of religious effort. Obedience flows from belonging to the Savior; it does not replace the need to be saved.
Receive His rule over your life
Jesus calls disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Self-denial means surrendering the claim that our desires have the final word. His authority reaches our ambitions, speech, relationships, money, and use of time. Ask where you are willing to admire Jesus but reluctant to obey Him.
His commands are not detached from His character. The King who rules us also serves us. Philippians 2 points us to His humility and obedient self-giving. We imitate Him when we abandon rivalry, listen carefully, honor others, and serve without needing attention. A life under Christ’s rule becomes visible in the way we treat people who cannot repay us.
Learn His rhythms of dependence and love
The Gospels show Jesus praying, receiving the Father’s will, attending to people, and speaking the truth. Make time to read those accounts slowly. Notice His compassion for the weary, His resistance to hypocrisy, and His patience with disciples who were slow to understand. Ask the Spirit to cultivate these patterns in you.
Following Jesus does not mean copying every circumstance of His earthly ministry. We are not the sinless Redeemer, and our work cannot accomplish what His cross accomplished. We follow His pattern of faithful dependence, holiness, truth, and love within the responsibilities God has given us. A parent, employee, student, or neighbor can serve Christ faithfully in ordinary life.
Live in the hope of His reign and return
The risen Jesus reigns, and Scripture teaches that He will return. That hope steadies us when obedience is costly or progress seems slow. Our circumstances do not determine whether He is Lord. We can persevere because our future is secured by His faithfulness rather than our ability to control events.
Keep your eyes on Christ, as Hebrews 12 urges. Repent when you stumble, receive His mercy, and continue in the path before you. Encourage other believers and speak of Him to those who do not yet know Him. Christian hope is active: it teaches us to live faithfully now while we wait for our Savior.
Read one chapter of a Gospel each day this week. Identify something Jesus reveals about Himself and one aspect of His character you need to reflect. Pray specifically, then practice it in a real relationship.
Questions for reflection
- Am I trusting Jesus Himself or mainly trying to improve my behavior?
- What part of my life needs to come under His authority?
- How does the promise of His return change my response to today’s pressures?