“Follow Christ and His devoted disciples.” This involves actively applying Christ’s teachings and learning from Him and His followers. While difficult, it requires commitment and perseverance, leading to meaningful change. Ultimately, Jesus Christ is our core example and the basis of faith. So, devote 25 minutes and learn how to follow Christ!

Follow Christ And His Devoted Disciples; Transform Your Life

STM Bible Study

Essentially, the New Testament exhorts us — i.e., the servants of Christ — to live a life that involves accepting His teachings, modeling His behavior, and putting His will above our own.

The Bible encourages us to follow Christ, i.e., to imitate or follow His example.

J.B. Phillips New Testament: As children copy their fathers, you, as God’s children, are to copy Him [follow His example]. International Children’s Bible: Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us.

Focus: John 10:27-28. Bible study background: John 10:22-30 (25-28). Barnes: I know them – See John 10:14.They follow me – A flock follows its shepherd to pastures and streams, John 10:3. Christians not only obey Christ, but they imitate him; they go where his Spirit and providence lead them; they yield themselves to his guidance, and seek to be led by him. When Jesus was upon earth many of his disciples followed or attended him from place to place. Hence, Christians are called His followers, and in Revelation 14:4 they are described as “they that follow the Lamb.”

Follow Jesus, Whom We Trust and Know

John 10:27-28 [read John 10:22-30 (25-28)]

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand. (NCV)

KJV: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Follow

G190 ἀκολουθέω akoloutheo (a-ko-lou-the’-ō) v. to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple.

Disciple – Easton’s Bible Dictionary

A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes [receives] his spirit, and (4) imitates his example.

Sheep

Sheep – G4263 πρόβατον probaton (pro’-ɓa-ton) n. properly, ‘that which walks forward’. (figuratively) someone easily led, one way or the other (like a sheep).

Did you know this? “Sheep will also follow someone they trust and know.” a quote from: Living With Gotlands

So, if you consider yourself a sheep and you trust and know Jesus, follow Him! Jesus said in John 14:1 (TLV): “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust (believe) in God; trust (believe) also in Me.” Also, the Lord said in Jeremiah 31:34 (ICB): “People will no longer have to teach their neighbors and relatives to know the Lord. This is because all people will know me,”

Imitate God

The Bible Exposition Commentary: If we are the children of God, then we ought to imitate our Father. This is the basis for the three admonitions in this section. Of course, each of these “walks” is a part of Paul’s exhortation to “walk in purity.”

God is:

1. Love (1 John 4:8); therefore, “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
2. Light (1 John 1:5); therefore, walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:3-14).
3. Truth (1 John 5:6); therefore, walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17).

The Conduct of the New You

Ephesians 4:32-5:1-2 [read Ephesians 4:25-5:7 (4:32 and 5:1-2); Matthew 5:45 and 48]

4:32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
5:1 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; 2 and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. (AMP)

KJV: 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

What It Means To Imitate Christ:

To follow Christ is to imitate Christ. To make sincere efforts to own and use His qualities. Jesus, who embodied God’s qualities in human form, is the perfect example of living a holy life. One might ask, “So what did Jesus do?” Here are nine key qualities of Jesus Christ that will help you understand what He did during His time on Earth.

1. Love

Jesus showed the greatest act of compassion and love through His death on the cross and returning from death for the salvation of the world. He offers rescue from sin and its penalty, which is separation from God for eternity, to all who believe in Him.

John 15:13 [read John 15:9-17 (10, 13, and 17)]

The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends. (ICB)

2. Forgiveness

Jesus forgave those who abused and killed Him. This is proof that He forgives.

Luke 23:34 [read 26-38 (32-36)]

When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” They drew lots as a way of dividing up his clothing.

3. Live Holy

To live holy means to follow the Holy Spirit and not be like the godless. Follow God’s plan, not your own. Jesus did not give in to the desires of the flesh; He never sinned!

Hebrews 4:15 [read Hebrews 4:14-16 (15); John 18:28-38 (38), 19:1-4 (4); 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 (21); 1 Peter 2:18-25 (22)]

Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. (ERV

4. Truth and Goodness

Jesus’ life showed truth (reliability, honesty) and goodness (integrity). For example, he opposed the lures of Satan in the wilderness by using scripture (truth).

Luke 4:7-8 [read Luke 4:1-13 (7-8); Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12,13]

The devil said, “I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 Just worship me, and you can have it all.” 8 Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say:
‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’ ” [Deuteronomy 6:13] (CEV)

5. Serve Others

Jesus set an example of meekness (gentleness) and service to others, even going so far as to wash the feet of His disciples.

John 13:5 [read John 13:1-17 (5, 14, and 17)]

Then He (Jesus) poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples’ feet and drying them with the towel around His waist. (AUV)

6. Humility – humble, down-to-earth, lowly

According to John 1:1, 3, 10, and 14, Jesus was the creator and He is God revealed in human form. Yet, He humbled Himself and obeyed His parents. He also let the soldiers mock, beat, and spit on Him before they nailed Him to the cross! Many people, like those who believe in the “prosperity gospel,” lack this quality because they think they should have the best. They do not follow Christ’s example.

Luke 2:51 [read Luke 2:41-52 (41-52)]

Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and obeyed them. His mother kept on thinking about all that had happened. (CEV)

Christ borrowed a young donkey [Mark 11:1-11 (2-7); Matthew 21:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19] instead of owning one. He fulfilled scripture and demonstrated that his kingdom was for everyone, despite their social status, by riding a donkey. The Bible doesn’t mention Jesus building or living in his own home, even though he was a carpenter [Mark 6:1-6 (3)].

Mark 15:17-19 [read Mark 15:16-20 (17-20); Matthew 27:27-31]

They put a purple robe on Him and made a crown of thorns that they forced onto His head, 18 and they began to cry out in mock salute.
Soldiers: Hail to the King of the Jews!
19 For a long while they beat Him on the head with a reed, spat upon Him, and knelt down as if to honor Him. (VOICE)

7. Compassion

Jesus showed a great deal of kindness, empathy, and compassion for the ill and the poor. For instance, He cured a sick, poor woman.

Mark 5:25-26, 29 [read Mark 5:21-43 (25-29); Matthew 9:18-26; Luke 8:40-56]

There was a woman who had suffered terribly from severe bleeding for twelve years, 26 even though she had been treated by many doctors. She had spent all her money, but instead of getting better she got worse all the time. 29 She touched his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once; and she had the feeling inside herself that she was healed of her trouble. (GNT)

8. Patience

Jesus showed Philip great patience when he asked Him to reveal the Father.

John 14:8-9 [read John 14:7-11 (8-9)]

Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us.” 9 Jesus replied, “I have been with all of you for a long time. Don’t you know me yet, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (GW)

9. Suffer

“This cup” refers to God’s wrath and the sins of all humanity, which Jesus will endure for us in the form of pain (suffering) and death.

G3958 παθεῖν (pathein) v. to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful).

Matthew 26:38-39 and 41 [read Matthew 26:36-46 (36-44); Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:42-44]

38 Then he said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.” 39 Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.”
41 Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.” (CEB)

Jesus had to fight His flesh! After He prayed, Luke says: “Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” Luke 22:43 (NKJV)

KJV: 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

So, copy/follow His example. This also involves studying Jesus’s and His apostles’ lives and teachings as found in the Bible.

Be A Disciple and Servant

John 12:26 [read John 12:20-26 (26)]

Anyone who wants to [serve me] be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. (NLT-2nd Edition 2004)

KJV: If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Serve

Serve – G1247 διακονέω diakoneo (d̮iy-a-ko-ne’-ō) v. (“to serve”) means caring for the needs of others as the Lord guides in an active, practical way.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary

He who wishes to serve Christ must become: 1. His disciple or scholar, that he may be taught: 2. His servant, that he may be employed by and obey his master.

Bible Knowledge Commentary

In the case of a disciple of Jesus, the principle is similar. A disciple must hate his life in this world.
1. To “hate his life” means to be so committed to Christ that he has no self-centeredness, no concern for himself.
2. On the other hand, the man who loves his life will lose it. Anything in life can become an idol, including goals, interests, and loves (cf. Luke 12:16-21; 18:18-30).
3. A believer should undergo a spiritual death to self (Romans 6:1-14; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 6:14).

Do As Christ Did

Paul chose Christ as his role model (trusted counselor or teacher). His advice was to make himself an example for those he taught. However, he had to fulfill one demand: he must lead by example. To put it simply, follow Paul’s example if his way of life is similar to that of Christ.

NOTE: Unlike the KJV and the early English translators, the NKJV translators, among others, accurately translate “mimetes” as “imitate.” The original Greek word used—mimētai—is the root of the English word mimic, meaning to emulate or imitate someone’s actions and character.

1 Corinthians 11:1 [read 1 Corinthians 11:1 (1)]

Do as I do, for I am doing as Christ did. (PHILLIPS)

NKJV: Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Followers

G3402 μιμητής mimetes (miy-mee-tees’) n. an imitator.

FYI, the Latin Vulgate rendered the Greek word “mimetes” as “imitatores,” which translates to “copyists” or “imitators” in English.

KJV: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

The Holy Spirit Will Help To Transform Your Life

With the help of the Holy Spirit, devoted followers of Jesus undergo changes that make them more and more like him.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 [read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 (17-18)]

Now, “the Lord” in this passage is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. 18 All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory. (GNT)

KJV: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Be Changed

Romans 12:1-2 [read Romans 12:1-2 (1-2)]

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. 2 Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. (NET)

KJV: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Your New Life in Christ

Colossians 3:10 [read Colossians 3:1-11 (5-11)]

You have now become a new person and are always learning more about Christ. You are being made more like Christ. He is the One Who made you. (NLV)

KJV: And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Giving Up Self and One’s Desires

Bridgeway Bible Commentary: The disciples of Jesus are those who have given their lives to Jesus, and they will be obedient to their master even if it leads to hardship, persecution and death. They will no longer rule their own lives, but will deny themselves personal desires in order to please Jesus.

Mark 8:34 [read Mark 8:34-38 (34-38); Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 9:23-26]

Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples. He said to them, “Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses [saying yes to God’s will and way], and follow me. (GW)

KJV: And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

1 Peter 2:21 [read 1 Peter 2:18-25 (20-24)]

You have been called to do this (endure suffering) because Christ also was punished (suffered) for you. He showed you what you should do. So do as he did.” (WE)

KJV: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Follow Christ and the Apostles:

Paul and the apostles followed Christ’s example by regularly engaging in prayer, studying the Bible, serving others, and worshiping God. These practices helped them to strengthen their faith and grow spiritually.

Philippians 3:17-18 [read Philippians 3:17-21 (17-19)]

Brothers and sisters, imitate me, and pay attention to those who live by the example we have given you. 18 I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. (GW)

KJV: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Proper Living

Believers should not burden others if they can work. The apostles were not a burden and gave an example of honest living.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 [read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (7 and 9)]

Brothers and sisters, here is a command we give you. We give it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep away from every believer who doesn’t want to work and makes trouble. Keep away from any believer who doesn’t live up to the teaching you received from us. 7 You know how you should follow our example. We worked when we were with you. (NIRV)

KJV: Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

Be Holy and Devoted Disciples

Christians should behave in a way that is holy and godly. Living a holy life means avoiding sin and evil influences. Godliness is showing reverence, love, and respect for God through committed and willing obedience. Devoted disciples go beyond following Christian beliefs, e.g., “going to church” or wearing a cross. They follow Christ, and instead of looking holy, they live holy!

The Day When the Lord Comes Again

2 Peter 3:11-12 and 18 [read 2 Peter 3:10-18 (11-12 and 18)]

But the day when the Lord comes again will surprise everyone like the coming of a thief. The sky will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in the sky will be destroyed with fire. And the earth and everything in it will be burned up. 11 Everything will be destroyed in this way. So what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and devoted to God. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him, now and forever! Amen. (ERV)

KJV: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

A Call to Holy Living

1 Peter 1:13-16 [read 1 Peter 1:13-21 (13-21)]

Be alert and think straight. Put all your hope in how God will treat you with undeserved grace when Jesus Christ appears. 14 Behave like obedient children. Don’t let your lives be controlled by your desires, as they used to be. 15 Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. 16 That’s why the Scriptures say, “I am the holy God, and you must be holy too.” [Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7, and 26] (CEV)

KJV: Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible study. Please take full advantage of it and follow Christ. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:

Fruit of the Spirit; Helpful Qualities Just For You! – an estimated 19-minute read.

Warning: Stop Thinking About Yourself And What You Want – an estimated 8-minute read.

Better Life Through Christ Becomes Eternal Life With Christ – an estimated 8-minute read.

If You Have Faith You’ll See Wonderful Things Happen – an estimated 13-minute read.

Jesus Became A Human: This Is What Love Is – an estimated 9-minute read.

See the latest on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

I look forward to your feedback via a comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a wonderful day!