I’ve been getting great feedback on the Preacher Geek posts so I’ll keep sharing one a week. My goal with these posts is to give preachers some ideas for upcoming sermon series. Some of these ideas are based on things I’ve done in the past and some are from my “someday” file.
If someone grabbed you and asked straight up, “Why should I follow Jesus?” how would you respond? Here’s an idea for a series of teachings designed to answer this question. I like this series because it accomplishes several purposes. First, it answers the question for people in the audience who are wondering why they should take Jesus seriously. Second, it equips Christians with a variety of answers they can share when they are given the opportunity. Finally, it reminds the church that there are more reasons to follow Jesus than just so that we can go to heaven when we die.
Here’s the breakdown: Why Follow Jesus?
1. Because everybody dies and Jesus gets us ready for death and what comes next. This is also a chance to talk about the “eternal” nature of life in Jesus, which begins long before we die, instead of the moment after.
2. Because we need to be rescued from sin. This one addresses the need for the cross.
3. Because he can satisfy our longing for community. Jesus connects us to God and others.
4. Because he makes sense of an ordered and yet chaotic world. This is an opportunity to talk about the relationship between science and faith and how Jesus holds all things together.
5. Because he’s the hero a the greatest story ever told. This one is based on the work of Campbell, Tolkien, and Lewis and how Jesus fulfills all the great myths.
6. Because he gives meaning to our lives by giving us a mission, something to live and maybe even die for.
What other reasons would you add to this list?
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons