Dust of the Rabbi
Series: The Way of Jesus
Scripture: Mark 1:16-20; Mark 2:13-14

Who or what am I a ______________ of?

3 Questions:
1. Who or what is _____________ you?
• Proverbs 13:20
2. Who are you _________________?
3. Who are you _________________?

Jesus joins us in the midst of the good and bad in our lives, and comes ________________ for you and _____________ you to follow Him.

Matthew 11:28-30
• Jewish Yoke

“May you be covered by the dust of your rabbi.” - old Jewish adage

The Holy Spirit takes the _______________ of God and works it into the __________________ places of our lives until the ______________ of Jesus begins to fully take shape in us.

Discipleship has a _______________…to be like Jesus as God’s ___________________ grace works in our lives.

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One Question to Carry All Week
Who—or what—is getting the most influence over who I am becoming?
And then ask: “Am I close enough to Jesus that His dust is getting on me?”

Start talking:
• Growing up, was there someone you really wanted to be like? What was it about them that made you want to imitate them?
• What are some things that naturally compete for our attention and influence today?
• When you hear the word “discipleship,” what does it mean to you?

Start Thinking:
• Pastor Troy said, “The people and things we spend time with have a way of forming us.” What do you think that means? What influences are most formative in your life?
• Jesus told the disciples, “Come, follow me, and I will make you…” What does this tell us about the relationship between following Jesus and becoming more like Jesus?
• How is following Jesus different from simply believing in Jesus?
• What do you think Jesus meant when He invited people to take His “yoke” and “learn from me”?
• Pastor Troy said, “Grace doesn’t merely forgive us; grace transforms us.” How does that fit with your understanding of God’s grace?

Start Sharing:
• Who or what is forming you right now? What voices, relationships, habits, or pursuits have the greatest influence on you?
• When you honestly look at your life, who are you becoming? Where do you see Christlike character growing in you? Where do you still need to grow?
• Have there been seasons when you were following Jesus closely? What helped you stay close to Him?
• What tends to distract you from following Jesus closely?
• Pastor Troy used the picture of being “covered in the dust of the Rabbi.” If someone watched your life for a week, what evidence would they see that you are following Jesus?

Start Praying:
• Ask God to reveal anything that is forming us more than Jesus is.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to continue transforming our attitudes, desires, words, and decisions to look more like Christ.
• Pray for the courage to follow Jesus closely and completely, wherever He leads.

Start Doing:
• Identify one influence that is shaping you but pulling you away from Jesus. Take one intentional step this week to reduce its influence.
• Choose one practice that will help you stay close to the Rabbi—daily Scripture, prayer, serving, worship, accountability, or intentional time with another believer—and make it part of your week.
• Bring someone with you. Identify one person who could take a step closer to Jesus because of your encouragement, invitation, or example.