“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” —Matthew 9v9 NIV
covered.
“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ He said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” —Mark 1v14-15 NIV
“For it is by grace you have been saved…” —Ephesians 2v8 NIV“The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” —Romans 13v11 NIV
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” —Philippians 2v12 NIV
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” —John 10v10 NIV
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow Me,’ He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.” —Matthew 9v9 NIV
to
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” —James 2v14 NIV
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” —James 2v17 NIV
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.” —Matthew 7v21 NIV
Discussion Questions
Reflecting on Matthew 9:9, what do you think Matthew might have felt when Jesus called him to follow? How does this moment challenge our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus?
Can you share a time when following Jesus required you to leave something behind, much like Matthew left his tax booth? What was that experience like, and how did it shape your relationship with Jesus?
In what ways do you see discipleship as a lifelong journey rather than a one-time event? How does this perspective change how you live out your faith?
The Jewish blessing, “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi,” implies a close and committed relationship between a disciple and their teacher. How closely do you feel you are following Jesus in your daily life? What areas might you need to draw nearer to Him?
What steps can you take this week to more fully embrace the ongoing journey of discipleship? How can this group support each other in that commitment?