Retro - SE StudentsSample

"Follow the Leader" is a simple children’s game you may know, where the person in front performs some movement that everyone else has to repeat. If the leader jumps on one foot down a driveway, everyone else must follow and jump on one foot. If the leader does jumping jacks for 30 seconds straight, everyone else must follow and get jumping.

While Follow the Leader is a simplistic game, it is a helpful way to understand Jesus’ call to, “Follow me.” Jesus uses the words “follow me” throughout the Gospels to invite others to go where He goes, and to do what He does.

As Jesus’ death is drawing near, He makes a bold ask of His followers to “take up their cross” and follow Him. What does it mean for us to take up our cross? For Jesus, it meant be obedient to His Father, God, in all things, even if it meant His own death on a cross so that our relationships with God would be restored forever. For us it also means we are obedient to God in all areas of our lives. Taking up our cross means we follow Jesus in dying to our own desires and wants for what Jesus wants to do in us and through us.

Is there anything that you value more than your relationship with Jesus? Do you live for Jesus or for how you look, how funny you are, your achievements and success in life? Ask God to reveal anything that is taking His place in your life. After all, is it really worth gaining all the athletic ability, the best grades, more popularity, or the most stunning appearance if you end up losing your soul?

Keep the conversation going! Want to share a story, ask a question, or talk about the impact of this plan? Send us a message at keeptalking@secc.org.