Jesus Christ shows us how to live, die and be raised again in an intimate relationship with God. He boldly calls us to be His disciples, but He never calls us to go anywhere He has not been willing to go first. And He gives us the power to walk with Him.

1. Lived an Unsurpassed Life
   (Read Philippians 2:5-11)
   • Came as God in the flesh
   • Made Himself nothing, operating as a servant (slave)
   • Humbled himself by becoming a man, by enduring all the challenges we normally face and, ultimately, by surrendering Himself to die for our sake
   • Exalted by God, and mankind will one day bow before Him
     What would it look like if you imitated this attitude?
2. Taught Incomparable Values
   (Matthew 5-7)
   • Calls people deal with their hearts (Read chapter 5:1-11)
   • Despises hypocrisy, people pleasing and materialism (Read chapter 6:1-3, 5-6, 19-21)
   • Calls for self-examination rather than judgment (Read chapter 7:1-7, 24-29)
     How does the Sermon on the Mount impress you?
3. Had a Remarkable Following
   (Read John 4:7-26, 39-42)
   • Did not follow popular prejudices of His day and He even defied them
     What are some of the prejudices you see in our world today? In yourself?
   • Remarkable following consisted of Zealots, religious, prostitutes, tax collectors, insane, officials, etc.
   • Jesus persisted in love by telling the woman the truth she needed to hear
     This woman had a ‘good’ response to spiritual truth—how else could she have responded?
     If Jesus saw your secrets, how might you respond?
4. Loved Beyond Measure
   (Read John 13:1-15, 34-35)
   • He loved fully, even His betrayers
   • Jesus envisioned disciples in the future being known for their love and their unity (John 17:22-23)
     Do you belong to a community where disciples strive to follow this example?
     In what ways could you exemplify this love?
5. Gave an Astonishing Calling
   (Read Luke 5:1-11)
   • We come to realize who Jesus is: ‘Lord’
   • We come to realize who we are (a sinful person), and accept the call to follow Him and do what He does
   • Read Luke 9:23-26: "Follow me"—to shamelessly and daily give up our life, pick up our cross
     What would keep you from following Him daily?
     Can you grasp the big picture of this astonishing calling?
     In time, disciples also reach and teach new disciples.

Are you amazed by the Biblical Christ?

Do you believe in Him and desire to follow Him?

To prepare for the next study, please read Matthew 26-28

Further Reading:

• Mark 12:28-31—Greatest command
• John 8:30-32—Real disciples of Jesus