Bro. David teaches us that the life of a disciple begins with one call from Jesus: “Follow Me.” Peter’s journey shows that we don’t have to fully understand God to start — we simply respond and walk with Him. As we follow Christ, He shapes us, matures us, and forms us into who He created us to be. Spiritual growth doesn’t come from information alone, but from walking with Jesus daily, learning His heart, His ways, and His character through real life.

Following Christ Comes Before Fully Understanding Him Peter didn’t begin with deep knowledge or spiritual maturity — he simply responded to the call. Understanding comes after obedience.

Who You Follow Shapes Who You Become We are influenced by whatever we give our attention to — voices, habits, people. When we follow Christ consistently, He reshapes our character, desires, and purpose.

Growth Takes Time, Struggle, and Experience Peter became strong and mature after years of failures, lessons, and trials — but he kept following. Our spiritual growth also comes through continued steps of obedience.

1. Scriptures

• 1 Peter 1:6–9 – Trials mature and strengthen faith.

• Mark 1:15–18 – Jesus calls Peter and Andrew: “Follow Me.”

• Luke 2:46–49 – Even Jesus grew in understanding through seeking His Father.

• John 8:1–11 – Jesus responds to sinners with mercy and restoration.

• Matthew 16:15–17 – Peter recognizes Jesus as the Son of God through revelation, not information.

Sis. Sarah contrasts religion (outward appearance, ritual, pride, and performance) with true righteousness (a transformed heart that reflects Christ). She warns that some people can look godly yet lack the inward reality of grace. True Christianity is not about titles, traditions, or being seen, but about humility, compassion, obedience, and genuine love for God and others. The call is to examine our hearts—to be sure we possess the real work of God, not merely the form of it.

Religious and Righteous

1. Religion Can Be Imitated — Righteousness Cannot A person can practice traditions, attend church, and appear spiritual, yet still not be right with God. True righteousness comes from a changed heart.

2. The Focus of Fake Religion Is Self — The Focus of True Faith Is Christ The Pharisees sought recognition, titles, and spiritual image, while true believers aim to point others to Jesus.

3. True Holiness Produces Compassion Religious pride condemns others; Christlike righteousness seeks to restore and rescue (as seen in the woman caught in adultery).

4. Outward Obedience Means Nothing Without an Honest Heart God cares more about mercy, love, faith, and inner purity than outward rituals or performance.

5. We Must Examine Ourselves The message challenges each believer to ask: Am I real before God, or just religious? True faith is tested through trials, humility, and consistency.

   Religious and Righteous

Religious and Righteous

Religious and Righteous

Religious and Righteous

Religious and Righteous

Religious and Righteous

Religious and Righteous

Sis. Sarah teaches believers how to deal with doubt without losing faith. Doubt is not the same as unbelief — unbelief rejects God, but doubt wrestles while still wanting to believe. Even strong believers like John the Baptist experienced moments of deep questioning when circumstances did not match expectations. Jesus does not rebuke sincere doubts, but invites us to bring them to Him, where truth, perspective, and faith are strengthened.

1. Doubt is not unbelief — it’s an opportunity for deeper faith. God is not intimidated by sincere questions.

2. What you do with doubt determines the outcome. Bring it to Jesus, don’t bury it, and don’t act based on fear or feelings.

3. Faith holds to what is true when life is unclear. Return to the Word, to prayer, and to what you already know about God’s character.

• Matthew 11:1–6 — John the Baptist’s question in prison and Jesus’ response

  SI Doubt

• Luke 7:18–23 — Parallel passage on John’s doubt

• Mark 9:24 — “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief”

• Hebrews 10:35 — “Cast not away your confidence”

• Psalm 13; Psalm 22 — David bringing honest questions to God

• Job 1–2 — Faith under suffering and confusion

Sis. Sarah shares with us that wisdom is the principal thing for the believer’s life. Unlike mere knowledge, wisdom aligns our daily decisions with God’s will. Through Solomon’s example in 1 Kings 3 and the commands of Proverbs 4, we learn that wisdom begins with humility, is received through asking God, and is evidenced by godly living. True wisdom produces stability, discernment, peace, and spiritual direction, enabling us to walk in God’s path in a confusing world.

1. Wisdom is God’s will, not man’s reasoning. Knowledge may inform you, but wisdom directs your steps in alignment with God.

2. Wisdom begins with humility and is received by asking. Like Solomon, we must recognize our need and seek wisdom from God, not from the flesh or culture.

3. True wisdom is seen in a transformed life. God’s wisdom produces peace, purity, discernment, and righteous decisions — not confusion, pride, or strife.

• Proverbs 4:1–9, 23–27 — “Wisdom is the principal thing… keep thy heart with all diligence”

• 1 Kings 3:3–14 — Solomon asking God for wisdom

• James 1:5–6 — Ask God for wisdom in faith

• James 3:13–17 — Wisdom from above vs. worldly wisdom

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust in the Lord and He will direct your paths

Sis. Sarah urges believers to stand firm in a world of growing spiritual pressure, deception, and moral collapse. Our battle is not against people, governments, or culture, but against spiritual forces of darkness. God has equipped His people with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel of peace, and His Word so that, in “the evil day,” we may stand our ground without fear, compromise, or retaliation. Christians stand not only against evil but for Christ, truth, righteousness, peace, and souls.

1. Our battle is spiritual, not political or personal. We fight the enemy of souls, not flesh and blood. Stand with spiritual armor, not carnal reactions.

2. Christians must stand for something, not only against something. We stand for truth, righteousness, holiness, the gospel, and the character of Christ — with love, peace, and conviction.

3. When God’s people stand, God sustains them. Like Daniel, Esther, and the three Hebrew men, God strengthens those who stand for Him — even in hostile times.

• Ephesians 6:10–18 — Full armor of God; “stand therefore”

• Galatians 5:1 — Stand fast in the liberty of Christ

• John 8:32, 36 — The truth makes you free

• Daniel 1; 3; 6 — Standing in Babylon

• Esther 4:14 — “For such a time as this”

• James 1:5 — Wisdom for the stand

• Proverbs 4 — Guard your heart and walk in wisdom

Sis. Sarah teaches that following Jesus is not a one-time decision, but a lifelong walk of surrender, obedience, and relationship. Jesus doesn’t call us to admire Him from a distance or add Him as an accessory to our plans — He calls us to follow Him, step by step, in His footsteps. True freedom, joy, and purpose are found not in doing what we want, but in walking where He leads.

1. Following Jesus is a daily surrender, not a one-time choice. Discipleship means direction — step by step, day by day.

2. Self must die for Christ to lead. “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me” is simple to understand but costly to live.

3. Jesus is the only path to life, freedom, and purpose. When we follow His steps — in love, holiness, forgiveness, and obedience — we find true freedom, peace, and joy.

• Matthew 4:18–22 — “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (call of Peter, Andrew, James, John)

• Luke 9:23 — Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me

• John 8:12 — “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness”

• John 10:27 — “My sheep hear My voice… and they follow Me”

• John 21:21–22 — “What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.”

• 1 Peter 2:21–24 — Christ left us an example to follow in His steps