Message Big Idea

Jesus invites us to an eternal life that starts right now.

Scripture

Mark 1:14-20, Mark 2:13-14

Icebreaker

What do you think of when you hear the word “religious”?

Opening Thought

The word ‘Christian’ can bring up a lot of different images or associations, some of them are negative, and some of them are positive. What are some words or phrases you think of when you hear “Christian”? Is that different than a few years ago, if so, how?

Bible Discussion

1. Read Mark 1:14-20, what stood out to you?
2. Read Luke 14:26. In light of Jesus’ invitation in Mark 1, what do you think Jesus could mean here?
3. When you think about the priorities in your life, how would you rank your work, family, God, hobbies, etc.… in order of importance? Is there one that needs to be “dethroned”?

Life Application

1. What are some characteristics of a disciple or an apprentice?
2. The process of becoming a Christ-follower is never-ending – we don’t arrive at a destination of being suddenly Christ-like. Instead, it’s about learning from Christ and modeling our lives after him as his disciple.

Read the quote from Dallas Willard and discuss what it could mean:
“…a disciple, or apprentice, is simply someone who has decided to be with another person, under appropriate conditions, in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become what that person is…as a disciple of Jesus I am with him, by choice and by grace, learning from him how to live in the kingdom of God…I am learning from Jesus to live my life as he would live my life if he were I.” –Dallas Willard

6. What could it look like for you to practice Release (letting go of old ways/habits), Reorient (focusing on Jesus as our focal point), and Respond (live as Jesus would live)? Which step is the hardest for you today?

Challenge

The challenge today is to accept the invitation that Jesus extends. This isn’t a one-time invitation, but a continual call to Release, Reorient, and Respond to living as Christ lived. Accepting the invitation helps us to remember that we will be cycling through these three steps our entire lives.