This document summarizes a session on following Jesus that discusses how following him is difficult but develops over time. It encourages following as a community rather than alone. Key points are that developing love, forgiveness and compassion takes time; we should support each other's faith; and the Holy Spirit empowers us to follow despite failures. Participants are asked to pray for strength to keep following Jesus.

1. Session 4
As you begin this session, you may want to go back and watch
FOLLOW JESUS again. This discussion will be based on that film
and will continue where the last session left off. If you’d rather
not spend the time, this session will include clips from FOLLOW
JESUS to remind you of important sections.

2. Session 4
Last week you discussed what it means to follow Jesus. Do
a brief recap of that session. What does it look like to
follow Jesus? Have you found yourself following Him to a
greater extent this week? Why or why not?

3. Session 3
When we set out to follow Jesus, discouragement can be a real
factor. We get excited and set out to follow Jesus, but over time
we get discouraged because it’s hard to follow Jesus. None of us
follows perfectly. When we read the gospels and the book of
Acts, we see that Jesus’ disciple accomplished amazing things,
but they were not perfect followers.
Have you ever found yourself discouraged by failing to follow
perfectly? How should we respond when we fail?

4. Session 4
Part of the discouragement comes because we don’t realize that some
of the things that Jesus commands us to do develop over time. For
example, take Jesus’ command to love your neighbor. That’s not
something we can turn on like a light switch—it’s something we pursue
and that grows over time. The same is true for compassion, forgiveness
and joy.
What does it look like to develop love, forgiveness, or compassion over
time? How does understanding the need to develop these things change
your approach to following Jesus?

5. Session 4
Sometimes we fail because we’re trying to da as an
individual what Jesus calls us to do as a group—as a
church. He doesn’t call us to obey in isolation. He calls us
to serve and help each other in fulfilling the mission He has
given us.
How does following as a group differ from following as an
individual?

6. Session 4
The fact that you are meeting as a group means that
you have already taken an important step in
following Jesus. What things can you do to keep each
other on track and follow Him as a group?

7. Session 4
In a moment, read John 6:60-69. Just before this, Jesus had
been teaching a large crowd. He told them that He was the
Bread of Life, the “living bread that came down from heaven.”
He told them that if they ate this bread, they would live forever.
But if they would not eat the Bread of Life, then they would
have no life in them. This was a difficult thing for them to hear,
and many stopped following when they heard it. As you read
this passage, compare Peter’s reaction with those who left.

8. Session 4
Put yourself into the shoes of Peter and the other
disciples. When such a large group turned around
and walked away from Jesus, what factors would
have been pulling them to leave with everyone else?

9. Session 4
When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you want to go away as
well?” Peter said simply, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You
have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and
have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Consider Peter’s logic. Does his answer resonate with you?
What motivation does it give you to follow Jesus?

10. Session 4
The promise of rewards sometimes feels so distant. Talk about
what it means and what it feels like (or will feel like) to be
rewarded by God, both in this life and in the one to come.
How should this motivate us?

11. Session 4
The fact that Jesus gives us commands and expects us to obey those
commands turns some people off. But when we step out and begin
following Him on the only path that leads to life, He bends down,
washes our feet, and shows us what humility and service look like.
How should this view of Jesus change the way we think about following
Him?

12. Session 4
Our greatest need and greatest ally in following Jesus is the
Holy Spirit. Trying to follow Jesus without Him always leads to
failure and frustration. We will discuss the importance and
power of the Spirit in the next sessions, but for now, begin by
asking God to empower you through His Spirit. Pray that He will
clearly show you what it means to follow Jesus and that He will
give you strength to follow, no matter how many times you fail.

13. Session 4
Before your next group meeting, we recommend
completing FOLLOW JESUS Session 2 in the
Follower’s Guide. The Follower’s Guide is designed to
lead you to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider
how the material you have just discussed should play
out in your personal life.