We can tell people that we are followers of Christ until we are blue in the face, but our actions will demonstrate to everyone around us that we are followers of Christ. After all, if we claim to follow Jesus, it is only logical that we will act like Him, follow His example, and obey Him. That is why Scripture calls Christ followers to demonstrate their faith in Him through their actions.
Who do you know who models Christ through their words and actions?
1. What is at stake if we do not live like Jesus in our day-to-day life?
2. Read 1 Peter 1:13-16. Compare and contrast the old way of living versus the new way of living for followers of Christ.
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
3. What do you think it means to be holy, and what is the reason Christ followers are called to live holy lives, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. Read 1 Peter 2:1-3. How are we to live instead of participating in the evil behavior that Peter describes in this passage of Scripture?
1 Peter 2:1-3
So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
1. What does it practically look like today to live holy lives?
2, If we want to live lives that point others to Christ, we have to grow. What are your favorite ways to grow in your faith (ex: prayer, reading Scripture, listening to worship music, etc.)?
3. What is one area that you would like to grow so that your words and actions will point others to Christ?
Take a few moments to examine your life. Are you living in such a way that your faith is evident through your actions? What is one area of growth that you would like to see when it comes to modeling Christ through how you live? Share that with your group. When everyone is finished, pray together. Ask God to help you all as you seek to live in such a way that your words and actions point others straight to Him.
If we are Christ followers, it stands to reason that we will model our lives after Christ through our words and our actions. The question is, how do we practically take steps in order to model our lives after Christ so that we point others to Him? Let’s take a look at 3 specific things we can do in order to model our lives after Christ and His word.
This may seem obvious, but one of the most important things we can do if we want to live lives that point others to Christ is to do what Scripture says. After all, if we claim to be followers of Christ, it is expected that we obey His word. Take a look at what James teaches about obeying Scripture in the book of James.
1. Read James 1:22-25
James 1:22-25
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
2. Summarize James’ instruction in this passage of Scripture.
3. What is the danger in listening to (or reading) Scripture and not obeying it?
4. What is the result of obeying Scripture, according to James 1:22-25?
Jesus taught His disciples that one unique characteristic would show others that they are His disciples: their love. You see, throughout His ministry, He demonstrated His love for everyone. Before He left Earth, He explained to His disciples that they were to love others because their love would demonstrate to the watching world that they are His disciples. The same is true for His followers today, including you and me. Take a look at this moment between Jesus and His disciples in John.
1. Read John 13:34-35.
John 13:34-35
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
2. How did Jesus define love in this passage of Scripture?
3. Summarize the way Jesus demonstrated love for others during His ministry on earth.
4. What does it look like today to love others the way Jesus loved?
Finally, if we claim to be followers of Christ, it stands to reason that we would tell everyone around us about Him and spread His message. After all, He is the source of hope that the lost and dying world is looking for. That is why Jesus made it clear that His followers are called to tell the world about Him so they, too, may experience His hope.
1. Read Matthew 28:16-20. This passage of Scripture takes place right before Jesus left earth and returned to heaven.
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
2. What stands out to you about Jesus’ commands in this passage of Scripture?
3. What promise did Jesus give His followers to accompany this commandment from Jesus?
4. Who has God placed in your life who is far from Christ?
When it comes to our call in Scripture to make Christ known to those around us, we have to purposefully go to places where we will encounter people who need the hope of Christ. This can be going to a local coffee shop regularly so that you can build a relationship with the baristas there, building relationships with parents on your child’s sports team, joining a gym to build relationships with members there, or something else. Take some time to share with your group where you can start going to build relationships with those in need of the hope of Christ. After everyone has shared, pray. Ask God for boldness as you all seek to make Him known to those around you.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
