Beyond the Weekend

May 5 | Following Jesus

May 5, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:14

Read: Mark 2:13-14
Listen:
Mark 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jesus says two profound words in this week’s passage, “Follow me.” With these words, Jesus asks Levi (Matthew) to enroll in the school of Jesus. Following a rabbi was serious business in the first century. The disciples live and breathe the way of Jesus for three years. They eat with Jesus, sleep in the same places, and travel together. That’s what Jesus asks of Levi. It’s simple and yet significant. Levi doesn’t hesitate. He gets up and gives up his life to follow.

Jesus offers us the same invitation today. When we accept the forgiveness Jesus offers, we enroll in the school of Jesus. The question is what kind of student we are going to be. We can trust Jesus and accept that his way leads to life. But many of us seem to commit half-heartedly, unsure Jesus knows what he is talking about. Spending time with Jesus should change how we view the world and think, speak and act. Jesus started the church as a place for his followers to encourage each other as students of Jesus. Just like the disciples walked and talked with Jesus, we walk and talk with Jesus-followers at church. Interacting with God’s Word and being in church community helps us follow Jesus’s way. At Ada Bible, we encourage people to spend time with God and his word in three ways: the weekend service, a small group and time alone with God. These three ways shape not only the way we follow Jesus but through community—the way others follow Jesus.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Reflect on your commitment to following Jesus. We’ve used the analogy of a school. Think about how committed you are to the school of Jesus. One way to evaluate this is through your engagement with the weekend service, small groups and your time alone with God. We’ve encouraged you throughout this series to explore the good news of Jesus by reading the book of Mark. If you haven’t done that, it could be an excellent goal for your time alone with God in the next few weeks.


2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

May is SECRECY. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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