Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus taught that we are either "all in" or not in at all. There is no in-between or almost all-in. Following Jesus means giving up everything else in this world to follow Him. After all, when we let go of everything else, we are able to follow Him fully. In a world that seeks so much of our time, attention, and affection, Jesus calls us to live solely for Him, with undivided loyalty. In our Bible study today, we are reminded that He is looking for fully devoted followers of Christ who have a faith that is all-in.
What is something you were dedicated to as a kid (i.e., a sport or activity), and what did you learn from your dedication to that sport or activity?
1. What is at stake if we choose not to be fully devoted to following Christ?
2. Read Mark 10:17-25. What was this man holding on to in hopes of earning salvation, and how did Jesus help him see the error in his line of thinking?
Mark 10:17-25
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
3. What kept the man in this story from fully following Jesus, and how did walking away impact him (both in the present and in the future)?
4. Read Mark 10:26-31. What did Jesus promise to those who give up everything and live as fully devoted followers of Christ?
Mark 10:26-31
26 The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
1. How does the man’s story in Mark 10 reveal the need that each one of us has?
2. For the man in this story, his possessions kept him from being an all-in follower of Christ. What things today hold people back from being fully devoted followers of Christ?
3. What is holding you back (or tempting to hold you back) from being a fully devoted follower of Christ?
What will it look like for you to take a step toward being a fully devoted follower this week? Maybe you need to stop doing something. Perhaps there is something you need to start doing. Maybe you need to let go of something that is taking the place that only God deserves in your life. Whatever it looks like for you, share with the group one step you will take this week to fully follow Jesus, holding nothing back.
We have seen in our study today that following Christ requires our complete devotion and commitment. It requires sacrifice. The promise we have in Scripture is that when we commit to following Him, the reward for following Him will always be worth anything we sacrifice in order to follow Him. Let's take a few moments to look at three promises from Scripture that we can claim as we sacrifice and let go of things of this world in order to follow Him fully.
One of the most important truths to remember as we sacrifice and give up things of this world in order to follow Christ is that we are not alone. In our loneliest and most difficult moments, God is right by our side. He is walking with us every step of the way, and His presence makes all the difference.
1. Read Psalm 23:1-4.
Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
2. Describe the impact of God’s presence on David’s life, the man who wrote Psalm 23.
3. What comfort does this passage give us as we consider our sacrifices to follow Christ fully?
4. How does this passage of Scripture encourage you to be an “all-in” fully devoted follower of Christ?
When we hear about the sacrifices others make to be fully devoted followers of Christ, we may be tempted to think that we could never make that kind of sacrifice. The truth is that Christ is the one who gives us the strength to face any circumstance, including the strength to make sacrifices and give up everything to fully follow Him.
1. Read Philippians 4:10-13.
Philippians 4:10-13
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
2. What types of situations did Paul experience according to this passage of Scripture?
3. What was Paul’s “secret of living in every situation?”
4. How does this passage of Scripture encourage you to be an “all-in” and fully devoted follower of Christ?
Perhaps the most poignant truth that we can cling to during difficult times is that we, as followers of Christ, live with an eternal perspective. We know that those who follow Him will experience eternal life with Him one day. As a result, any sacrifice we make to be fully devoted followers of Christ pales in comparison to the eternity with Him that we will experience one day.
1. Read Revelation 21:1-5.
Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”
2. What stands out to you in the “new heaven” and “new earth” that is described in this passage of Scripture?
3. Why, according to this passage of Scripture, is being a fully devoted follower of Christ worth any sacrifice we might be called to make?
When following Christ calls us to sacrifice, these three truths from Scripture can carry us as we commit to being fully devoted followers. Pick one of the Scripture passages from our reading today to memorize over this next week. Share with your group which verse you selected to memorize and how it will help you as you seek to be a fully devoted follower of Christ. After everyone is finished, pray together. Ask God to help each one of you to be “all-in” when it comes to following Him. There is truly no greater thing that we can do with our lives than this.
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