40 Days for Following JesusНамуна

Getting Started on “The Way of Jesus”

“Follow Me.”

At the beginning of his ministry Jesus invited a few unlikely and unqualified people to change the course of their normal lives and embrace a new way of living. Whether you realise it or not, it is an undeniable fact that these people have altered the course of human history.

Following Jesus is a simple invitation and a lifetime pursuit and it is something that we are all invited to do.

The early Church were known as followers of "the Way"; the Greek word hodos. This word describes a way of life and a journey. They had committed to allow their words, thoughts and actions to be increasingly shaped by the words and example of Jesus.

Following Jesus is the urgent task of every Christian. Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life"—John 14:6 NIV. He invites us into this new way of life and we realise that this new life is connected to discovering the truth of who Jesus is and what He requires of us.

Following Jesus means we choose His path for our lives and learn obedience to Him. This is a challenging concept for all of us, but what we will realise is that it is the gateway to a life of simplicity and freedom.

Over the next 40 days we will be focussing on the words of Jesus as a daily practice. We encourage you to take these words seriously, meditate on them, allow them to challenge you and take a faith step to apply them in your life. Like the first people Jesus invited, you don’t have to be qualified to make a first step—jump in and join the journey.

Three things to know before you start:

1. Direction not perfection—anyone can start, no matter who you are or what you have done or haven’t done; anyone can start the journey. It’s a journey by grace and of grace.
2. What matters is your next step—no matter if you are beginning, halfway through the journey or pulled off at the side of the path. Take the next step.
3. Learn to walk at a Jesus pace—this journey has some uncertainty, some ups and downs. What matters is that you learn to stay connected to Jesus and walk and talk with Him.

Our Journey

Over the next 40 days you are invited to follow Jesus by choosing to meditate on His words and commands. Enjoying prayer and experiencing scripture are two habits for a thriving life. Habits take focus to form, so prioritise this as a daily practice. Consistency is key and this can be done in a few focused moments each day. You may even want to do this journey with a friend or family member.

Each Day

Prepare:

Invite the Holy Spirit to help you and focus on your desire to follow Jesus.

Read:

Read and meditate on the words of Jesus in the key verse. Some additional information and scripture is included to help you.

Ask God:

• What do you want to say to me about this verse?
• What are you asking me to say “yes” to?
• Who can I tell about this?

Enjoy the journey and stay connected with us.