As the pastor at Gateway South Austin, here is what I have shared with our people to help them reframe what it means to be a Christ-follower. Rather than believing in Jesus as a cultural Christian, this brief guide helps us choose to follow Jesus as a disciple with our head, heart, hands, and feet.
Choose to follow Jesus.
Not just once in your life but every day decide to be Jesus’ disciple.
- “God demonstrates his own love for us in this… when we were still powerless, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:6-8
- “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Your Identity in Christ
Consider reading this daily or even memorizing this!
God is my Father.
I am his son or daughter.
I am loved.
I am chosen.
God is my refuge.
God can be trusted.
God has not abandoned the human race or me.
God’s presence and His Kingdom are completely available to me, and I experience them.
I am forgiven in Christ.
I am accepted in Christ.
I am secure in Christ.
I am significant in Christ.
From Experience Jesus, Really by John Eldredge and Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson
“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Following Jesus
A framework for becoming more like Jesus includes the following:
Come together with others every Sunday (GATHER)
- Come expecting God to move and pray: “God, what do you have for me and what do you want from me?
- If you are ever out of town or sick, you can watch online at our YouTube channel (youtube.com/@gatewaysouthaustin) or read the notes later at my website (ericbryant.org/blog) or listen via SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/ericbryant-1)
Spend time with Jesus every day. (GROW)
- Praying and reading the Bible – start with the Gospels then the Psalms and New Testament
- See BibleProject.com, www.youtube.com/@EricBryant777 (Start Here: The the New Testament)
- The New Testament for Everyone by N.T. Wright
Spend time with others in a group. (GROW)
- With whom are you growing and who are you helping grow?
- Choose a group in which to Belong, Grow, Heal, or Serve
Serve others with others. (GIVE – time, talents, treasure)
- With whom are you serving and who are you serving?
- A Journey of Generosity
- Serving Others With Others
Share with others about Jesus (GO)
- Ask: “What is your spiritual journey?”
- Notice similarities in your story.
- Ask: “Can I share my story with you?”
- Share similarities in your story and how you chose to follow Jesus.
- Ask: Would you like to follow Jesus too?
- If “yes” – see “Choose to Follow Jesus” on the other side.
- If “maybe” – encourage them to read the Gospel of John and pray each day – “God, if you are real, show me who you are and who you want me to be.”
- If “no,” then thank them for sharing and listening and ask if there are ways you can pray for them.
Led by God’s Spirit, seek to bring more of the kingdom of heaven to your neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends!
For more resources, go to gatewaychurch.com
