What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. It is not just an event on a Sunday, but a way of life in community around the teachings of Jesus. To “practice the way of Jesus” is to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus, to put his teachings into practice in all aspects of your life. As we live this way, we are transformed from the inside out. This all starts with understanding the Good News of Jesus Christ.

What is the Good News?

Life is difficult, right? Sometimes things can feel a bit hopeless. We live in a broken world. Not only that, but we all have our own personal challenges, struggles, and shortcomings to deal with. 

Thankfully, there is a God who created us, loves us, and is working in and through us to make all things new. He is a God of perfect wisdom and love, expressed to the world completely in the life, teachings, and person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to save this broken world and show us a better way of living. He did this by:

  • Teaching about God’s Kingdom, a way of life centered on love

  • Modeling human flourishing by leading us into greater wisdom and self-awareness

  • Inviting us to change our world through love for neighbors, care for the poor, and even compassion for our enemies

  • Dying on the cross, defeating all the sin, hatred, and violence of this world through an act of sheer grace, mercy, and love for all humanity

  • Resurrecting from the grave three days later, breaking the chains of death itself, and launching a new era of hope for our world. 

  • Founding the church, a new community of people, empowered by the Spirit of God to follow Jesus and change the world

Because of the Good News, every single one of us—regardless of our story or background—is invited to experience the following:

  • A new life transformed by the way of Jesus

  • Complete and total forgiveness for our sins

  • Redemption of the pain and traumas of our past

  • Reconciliation with God, each other, and the world around us

  • Personal growth, leading us to become the very best versions of ourselves

  • Inclusion in the church family, a community on a mission together to follow Jesus and express his love to our world

  • Eternal life, starting today in the present and extending beyond physical death into the future, where Jesus will one day restore all of creation to a state of perfection and endless love

To put it simply, here is the Good News in 30-words:

Jesus is God with us, come to 
show us God’s love
save us from sin
set up God’s kingdom
shut down religion, so we can share in God’s life.

How Do I Follow Jesus?

There are no religious hoops to jump through or qualifications needed. If you believe in the Good News of Jesus Christ, you are invited to follow him. This decision is yours alone to make. It includes a desire to:

  • Embrace God’s love, grace, and forgiveness

  • Make Jesus your leader, teacher, and friend

  • Adopt the way of Jesus as your lifestyle

  • Follow Jesus on a journey of self-discovery, service to others, and spiritual growth

For some, it’s helpful to begin this journey with a prayer, a declaration of your intent to follow Jesus. That prayer may sound something like this:

Jesus, thank you for who you are and what you’ve done. I believe in you and want to follow you for the rest of my life. Please forgive my sins and heal my broken past. Teach me, lead me, guide me, and show me your ways. From today onward, I want you to be my savior, teacher, and king. Amen.

Now What?

Following Jesus is never done in isolation. Christianity has always been a “WE” faith, not a “ME” faith. No matter who you are or what your story is, you’re invited to follow Jesus with us here at Neighborhood Church! Click the link below to get started.