Did Jesus really want us to teach people all that He commanded?
This is one of the last things He said to His disciples. Why do we see so many discipleship programs, but the idea of going through all of Jesus’ words seeking to follow and obey them seems so foreign and radical? Following Jesus’ words and instructions should be as normal as baptism is. And when we follow His commands, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we know Him and enjoy Him more than ever.
We take the first half of the Great Commission very seriously.
Christians take baptism seriously.
Across denominations and traditions, baptism is treated as an important step in following Jesus. Churches teach about it. They prepare people for it. They celebrate it. They make sure new believers understand its significance.
And we should.
But Jesus didn’t stop there. The Great Commission contains another instruction:
Teach them to obey all that I have commanded you.
What if we took that part just as seriously?
The Great Commission
Step 01
Baptize them
Taken seriously
Step 02
Teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded
Where is this taught?
If we take baptism seriously, why wouldn’t we take discipleship just as seriously?
A lot of us feel like there has to be more to the Christian life.
- More than attending another sermon.
- More than joining another small group.
- More than singing another worship song.
- More than knowing more things about Jesus without actually becoming more like Him.
Many Christians have a quiet sense that following Jesus was meant to be more active, more transformative, and more tangible than what they are experiencing.
What if the answer has been right in front of us the whole time?
Jesus told His disciples what to do:
Teach people to obey everything I commanded.
What if we simply started following the words of Jesus?
If the goal of a disciple is to become a student of Jesus, what would happen if we started with Jesus Himself?
What if we opened Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, looked carefully at what Jesus said, identified the things He actually asked His followers to do, and then began trying to obey them?
Not as a way to earn God’s love. Not as a new religious checklist. But because we love Jesus and actually want to follow Him.
- 01
See Jesus
Read the Gospels and pay attention to His life and words.
- 02
Hear His Words
Identify what Jesus taught and commanded His disciples.
- 03
Say Yes
Begin putting those teachings into practice.
- 04
Do It Together
Follow Jesus individually and in community.
What could happen if a generation of Christians decided to take Jesus seriously enough to actually do what He said?
What we believe
Everyone deserves access to clear instruction on how to be a disciple of Jesus.
There are countless resources about Christianity, theology, church, and spiritual growth. But becoming a disciple of Jesus should not feel complicated or inaccessible.
We believe every person should be able to open the words of Jesus, understand what He taught, and have practical help learning how to follow Him.
That’s why we created Jesus First Discipleship.
We are building resources that walk through the teachings and commands of Jesus one by one — not simply to collect more information, but to help people actually put His words into practice and grow closer to Him.
The goal isn’t just to know more about Jesus. The goal is to learn how to follow Him.
Relationships are built on trust.
If you want to grow closer to Jesus, you have to learn to trust Him. And one of the clearest ways we demonstrate trust is by following His words.
Every command of Jesus gives us a choice: do I trust His way, or do I trust mine?
This is the same question humanity has faced from the beginning. In the garden, Adam and Eve were essentially saying: “God, I don’t trust that Your way is best. I think my way is better.” We repeat that same decision whenever we hear the words of Jesus and knowingly choose another way.
But discipleship moves in the opposite direction. Jesus speaks. We listen. We seek to understand what He means. And then, even when His way is difficult or countercultural, we choose to trust Him enough to follow.
Over time, obedience becomes more than completing commands. It becomes a relationship of growing trust. And as we learn to trust Jesus with more of our lives, we begin to experience a deeper closeness with Him.
- Hear His words
- Trust His words
- Follow His words
- Know Him more deeply
How do we actually obey the teachings of Jesus?
Step 1: Read His Words
Read through the Gospels and become deeply familiar with the words and teachings of Jesus.
Step 2: Rely on the Holy Spirit
We cannot follow Jesus through willpower alone. Depend on the Holy Spirit to teach, convict, empower, and transform us as we seek to obey Christ.
Step 3: Actually Follow Him
Put the words of Jesus into practice in real life and in community with other believers. Learn through obedience what it actually means to be a disciple of Jesus.
50+ Devos Ready
Start the journey of following Jesus’ commands in the Gospel of Mark. Read the passage, see Jesus, and follow His heart.
Your life, and the lives you touch, will never be the same.