SEARCH Lesson 118 – Getting Along with Others – Follow Me

Key Verse

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
— Matthew 16:24

Follow Me

Matthew 4:18-22; 11:28-30; 16:24-27

Matthew 4:18-22; 11:28-30; 16:24-27

  • Mark 10:17-21

Surrender to Christ brings a blessed relationship with the holiest, wisest, most powerful Being that is, was, or ever will be. This relationship affects all other associations we have, whether they are with the saved or unsaved. If we place Christ first in our lives, He will show us how our associations with those around us can be in conformity with His teachings.

QUESTIONS

  1. In the first portion of our text, Jesus called Peter and Andrew. In Matthew 11:28-30 the call was extended to become a universal invitation. Explain the steps necessary to enter into a relationship with Christ.
  2. Christ’s yoke is easy and light compared to the load of sin. Too often people have the idea that a yoke is heavy, and they don’t get much farther than that thought. In reality, yoking shares the load and the effort. A weaker, less experienced animal is yoked to a strong, lead animal. In essence, the lead animal pulls the heavier load or carries the most weight. With this thought in mind, what are the advantages of having Jesus’ yoke upon you?
  3. When Jesus met Peter and Andrew, He used these words to call them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” How would you explain the word follow? Using your definition, what do you think Jesus was really asking of these men?
  4. What was the reaction of these men? Give an example of one with an opposite reaction.
  5. How did this relationship with Christ affect other people with whom they came into contact? See Acts 4:13. How do people today recognize a follower of Christ?
  6. When Jesus spoke of taking up the cross, He was not referring to a symbol on a chain around the neck, a shiny pin on the lapel, or the smooth and varnished emblem at the front of the church. He was not speaking of a rough instrument of torture and death, but an evidence of self-denial and sacrifice. With this thought in mind, what can we determine regarding this command of Christ in relation to our lives? What advantage can there be for one in denying himself and taking up his cross?
  7. Explain Matthew 16:26 in your own words.
  8. Galatians 5:22-23 describes some of the characteristics we will evidence if we have a close relationship with Christ. How will these characteristics help us live in harmony with others?
THEME THOUGHTS
Underlying all the basic teachings of Christ, are significant principles essential to the Christian in establishing successful relationships with those around him. When one of these principles is violated or ignored, there is a breakdown in the relationship. On the one hand, the Scriptures attach significant benefits and rewards to the one who accepts the guidelines given by God and makes them the foundation of his dealings with others. In this quarter, we focus on these guidelines, establishing through Scripture the Christian’s responsibilities to those with whom he comes into contact. We begin the series of lessons by examining the Christian’s relationship with Jesus Christ, pointing out that if one is wholly following the Lord, he will be enlightened as to how his relationships with others can be in conformity with Christ’s teachings. Subsequent lessons consider the relationships between the Christian and the ministry, between brothers and sisters in Christ, between the Christian and the spiritually weak, his neighbor, etc. the Christmas lesson concerns the relationship of God to man—how God’s love was shown when He sent Jesus to earth. One lesson deals with the Christian versus Satan, showing that with God’s help the Christian can build a defense against the devil and resist his attempts to overthrow him.It is essential to measure our lives by Scripture, for “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God nay be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). When our relationships with others are established entirely on the precepts of God’s Word, our lives will be valuable instruments in God’s plan to reveal to the world the power of His love to mankind.

Resources