FG Lesson & Personal Reflection Guide
Based on the message, “What Every Christian Must Pursue: Pursue Next”

READ Mark 1:14-22; Mark 4:1-20

In our Sunday messages, we have been learning about “what every Christian must pursue” in their journey of faith. Firstly, we are called to pursue first God's kingdom and His righteousness. The following week we also learned what we are to pursue last, like Paul who in his final days focused on fighting the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith. However, in between these pursuits, there is an essential next step that Jesus calls us to take: becoming true followers of Him. The gospel is the first step, but Jesus desires for believers to deepen their relationship with Him and become active followers, not just passive believers.

Jesus demonstrated this call for deeper discipleship when He called individuals to follow Him, as seen in the Gospel of Mark. He didn’t just want people to believe in Him, but to follow Him, as shown when He asked Simon, Andrew, James, and John to leave their nets and follow Him. This call to follow Jesus goes beyond merely accepting the gospel—it’s about developing a deeper, active relationship with Christ. Jesus expects believers to "level up" in their faith and follow Him in a deeper, more committed way.

However, not all who believe in Jesus choose to follow Him closely. A.W. Tozer warned of the spiritual shallowness in modern Christianity, where people may claim to be saved but lack a genuine hunger for God. Following Jesus requires more than belief—it requires a transformation of the heart and mind, and a willingness to pursue Him with our whole lives. Many believers stop at believing without progressing into the deeper commitment of following Christ.

In order to become a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, we need to pay attention to how we listen to Jesus. In Mark 4, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower to highlight the different responses people have to God's Word. Some listeners are distracted, others are emotional, and some are divided by worldly concerns.

These responses prevent them from fully following Jesus. To be a true follower, one must listen intently, embrace the Word of God personally, and apply it in daily life. Following Jesus is not about emotional highs or superficial beliefs, but about a consistent, rooted faith that endures through trials and tribulations.

The key to becoming a true follower of Jesus lies in how we listen to His Word. We must focus, accept, and apply His teachings. To be fruitful listeners, we need to guard against distractions, emotionalism, and divided loyalties. This requires commitment to prioritize God above all else, trusting Him fully. By doing so, we will bear fruit in our lives and truly set ourselves apart as followers of Christ, not just as part of the crowd.