To follow Jesus, one must study His methods rather than merely respect His teachings. He was not followed from a distance by the disciples. They struggled together, walked with Him, learnt from others, and were molded by communal life. Despite its flaws, the church is the main location where this shaping takes place.
Because they strive for perfection, many believers find church difficult. However, Jesus never promised a perfect community, rather, He pledged to be present within it. Jesus urges us to love genuine people, extend sincere forgiveness, serve consistently, and develop patience when Jesus says, “Follow me.” You can’t learn these lessons on your own. Church life serves as a training environment for the practical application of faith.
Humility is a lesson we learn by following Jesus in the church. We learn to listen, bear each other’s burdens, and submit to leadership. Because partnerships need work, it teaches us to be persistent. Additionally, it teaches us a mission because, as a group, we represent Christ to the world in a way that no one person could.
I frequently advise new converts to stay close to Jesus if they want to grow rapidly, and to remain devoted to His people if they want to grow deeply. When Jesus said, “Follow me,” He knew the road would include worship, service, correction, encouragement, and shared joy. The church is a component of the path, not a diversion from discipleship.
Keep in mind that development takes time as you travel this path. Even if it seems inconvenient, show up. Serve even when you’re not looking. Love at any cost. Following Jesus gradually transforms our hearts and lives in this way.
I urge you to check our free Biblical Life Skill Guides, where you can study useful subjects in PDF and audio forms, if you want to keep developing.
I particularly suggest the book “Your Life in the Body of Christ“, which elaborates on how faithfully participating in the body of Christ is a way to live out following Jesus.