How Do I Follow Jesus? Lessons From the First Disciples
Many people ask, “How do I follow Jesus?”
The answer begins in John 1. Before the miracles, before the crowds, and before the cross, ordinary people heard Jesus call them and made the life-changing decision to follow Him.
Some responded immediately. Some brought others to Christ. One doubted before believing.
Their stories mirror our own.
John 1:35-51 reveals that following Jesus is more than believing facts about Him. It means turning toward Him, trusting Him, remaining with Him, and inviting others to come and see for themselves.
The Moment Everything Changed: Why the First Disciples Followed Jesus (John 1:35-42)
Bible Study Guide
(Verses 35-42) The first time John the Baptist announced Jesus as the “Lamb of God” in verse 29, it produced a different response as the one we see here in this passage. In verse 29, it was the official introduction of Jesus to the world as the Messiah. It began Jesus’ ministry that would traverse across the next three years.
In this passage, we see a much different reaction to John the Baptist’s second announcement of Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” In essence, the announcement was a calling by John telling his disciples, here is the one you should be following. Follow Him, the Messiah!
Andrew and John were the first to hear this calling. They each felt the power of the Holy Spirit in their hearts telling them to turn and follow Christ. There’s no recording of a debate. Neither one of them thought of asking questions first. Andrew and John just turned around and went to follow Christ.
The Holy Spirit works uniquely in our lives. Each experience is a deeply personal one between you and Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. This is clearly evident in the reaction of the first two disciples to turn and follow Jesus.
Reflect and Apply:
Andrew and John did not fully understand everything about Jesus yet, but they still chose to follow Him.
Many people delay following Christ because they think they need every answer first. But discipleship begins with surrender, not perfect understanding.
Jesus still calls people the same way today:
“Come and see.”
Following Jesus starts when you respond to His voice in faith.
“Come and See”: The Simple Invitation That Still Changes Lives
It’s important to understand that both John and Andrew were Galileans. They were part of a culture that understood Old Testament scriptures. The Tanakh was very important to them. So they clearly understood what John the Baptist meant when he proclaimed Jesus as the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world. This was not foreign to them.
These were not just disciples being called to follow Jesus. These were the first acts of evangelism that would soon spread throughout the region and eventually across the globe.
John the Baptist testified to who Jesus is. John and Andrew heard the words and believed. They both turned and began to follow Jesus.
Then in the first act of evangelism after John’s proclamation of Jesus, Andrew goes after his brother Simon Peter. He brings him to see Christ, then Simon becomes the third disciple to follow the Messiah. It only took Simon Peter to see and hear Jesus to become a follower.
This is a great example of how to evangelize people we meet. We testify to what Christ has done in our lives and through the power of the Holy Spirit, they will come to hear and believe.
Reflect and Apply:
Andrew immediately brought his brother to Jesus.
One invitation changed Peter’s life forever.
Never underestimate what God can do through a simple conversation, invitation to church, or shared testimony.
Someone you know may be one encounter away from following Christ.
What Happens When Jesus Says, “Follow Me”? (John 1:43-50)
(Verses 43-50) When the God of all creation turns to you and says, “follow me,” you immediately drop everything and follow Jesus. There is no convincing, showing of credentials, debate or conversation that takes place. Just ‘follow me!”
That’s all it took for Philip to follow Christ and become His fourth disciple. Philip’s excitement led him to find Nathaniel. But Nathaniel attempted to cast doubt on Philip’s revelation of the finding the Messiah.
Nathaniel’s denial rested in the fact that he couldn’t come to grips that anything good could come out of Nazareth. After all, the town was never mentioned once in the Old Testament, and it was best known for housing Roman soldiers.
Philip responded in the way all Christians are asked to bring people to Christ. Come and see!
In other words, hear my testimony of what Christ has done for me. Come to my church and see! Come to my Bible study and see! Look what it says here in my Bible about Jesus! We are to introduce people to Christ and pray that the Word falls on good fertile ground. The power of the Holy Spirit will then make it grow.
Jesus cast light onto the dark part of Nathaniel’s heart when he performed the small miracle of He could see Nathaniel alone under the fig tree. Then, Nathaniel believed.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
Reflect and Apply:
Nathanael almost missed the Messiah because of his assumptions.
Many people today reject Jesus because of pride, skepticism, past church hurt, or misconceptions.
But Jesus invites doubters to come and see for themselves.
Christ is not afraid of honest questions. He reveals Himself to those willing to seek the truth.
Jesus Is the Way to God — Not a Building (John 1:51)
(Verse 51) Jesus told Nathanael that he would see heaven opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.
Historical records indicate that the temple was located on the very spot where Jacob had dreamed of angels going up and down a stairway.
“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” (Genesis 28:12)
What Jesus is implying in this verse about the “angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” is that Jesus Himself is the new temple.
Christ was revealing that He alone is the connection between heaven and earth.
The disciples began this passage searching for the Messiah.
They ended it standing before the very Son of God.
The same invitation remains today:
Follow Me.
How Do I Follow Jesus Today?
John 1 gives us a clear picture of what it means to follow Christ.
1. Hear His call
The disciples first responded when they heard the testimony about Jesus.
2. Turn toward Him
Following Jesus requires repentance and a willingness to leave behind your old life. It means going in the opposite direction of this world.
3. Stay with Him
The disciples spent time with Jesus because relationships grow through closeness. Letting go of everything and fully trusting in Him.
4. Believe who He is
Jesus is not merely a teacher. He is the Lamb of God and the Son of God. His Spirit resides in those who believe.
5. Bring others to Him
Real discipleship naturally leads to evangelism. A light doesn’t stay hidden, but shines on others so they can see the truth.
Following Jesus is not simply admiring Him from a distance or saying that you’re a Christian. It is trusting Him with your whole life daily.
Common Questions About Becoming a Follower of Jesus
Following Jesus means trusting Him as Savior, obeying His teachings, and surrendering your life to Him daily. In John 1, the disciples responded to Jesus personally, stayed with Him, learned from Him, and eventually dedicated their lives to Him.
You begin following Jesus by believing in who He is, repenting of sin, and placing your faith in Him. Like the first disciples in John 1, following Christ starts when you respond to His call in faith.
No. The first disciples did not understand everything about Jesus when they began following Him. Faith grows as you walk with Christ and spend time in His Word.
The disciples recognized something unique about Jesus. Through the testimony of John the Baptist and the work of the Holy Spirit, they understood that Jesus was the promised Messiah worth leaving everything to follow.
Yes. The first disciples were ordinary men, including fishermen and common laborers. Jesus often chooses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for God’s kingdom.
“Come and see” was Philip’s invitation to Nathanael to personally encounter Jesus. It reminds believers today to invite others to explore the truth of Christ for themselves.
Nathanael doubted that the Messiah could come from Nazareth, yet Jesus revealed Himself personally to him. God welcomes honest seekers and can transform doubt into faith. The Holy Spirit will help lead you out of your doubt.
You grow closer to Jesus through prayer, reading Scripture, obedience, worship, fellowship with believers, and daily surrender to God’s will. It’s part of our daily Christian walk.
Yes. Every disciple in John 1 experienced transformation after encountering Jesus. Following Christ changes your heart, direction, priorities, and eternal future.
Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, and Philip invited Nathanael to “come and see.” Christians today help others follow Jesus by sharing the Gospel, living faithfully, and inviting people to encounter Christ through Scripture and testimony.
Your Next Step in Following Jesus
The disciples did not merely admire Jesus from afar. They left their old lives behind and followed Him personally.
Jesus still calls people today.
If you want to grow closer to Christ:
- Spend time reading the Gospel of John daily
- Pray honestly and consistently
- Join a Christ-centered, Bible-focused church
- Obey what Jesus teaches
- Share your faith with others
Following Jesus is not about perfection. It is about surrender, trust, and daily faithfulness.
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for calling ordinary people to follow You. Give us hearts that respond in faith like the first disciples. Remove our doubts, strengthen our trust, and help us remain faithful wherever You lead. Teach us to follow You daily and boldly invite others to come and see.
It’s in Your blessed name we pray, Amen.
Don’t stop here! Jesus’ words had power and He could teach like no one else. Continue your learning journey through our verse-by-verse John Bible study guides (chapters 1–10).