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DEVOTION / What about followership?

DEVOTION / What about followership?

Followership???

I was doing my devotional reading the other morning when I stumbled across the word: "followership." I don't think I had ever seen that word before. Of course, I had to Google it.

I was surprised that there were plenty of articles on the concept.

Good followership?

What popped up on my screen was entitled The Role of Followers. It said, "Good followership is characterized by active participation in the pursuit of organizational goals . . . working independently, being accountable for your actions, and taking ownership of tasks."

Christian followership?

Having been in ministry for many years, I remember many classes, conferences, and presentations on the importance of Christian leadership. But I can't remember a single one on what Christian "followership" might look like.

My mind was swirling with questions. Are sheep good or bad followers? They wander a lot I'm told. Who or what might be good examples of Christian followership?

Bible examples?

Here is a short list of followers in the Bible that came to my mind:

  • Jesus' disciples

  • The Old Testament prophets

  • Abraham

  • David

  • The Magi

  • Mary

  • Paul

"Follow" in the Bible

Looking for a quick study of the word "follow" in the Bible? Head to the four Gospels. Here are a variety of passages that focus on what positive Biblical "followership" looks like:

  • "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Jesus, Matthew 10:38).

  • Then he [Jesus] called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Jesus, Mark 8:34).

  • Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!" (Mark 10:28).

  • So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him (Jesus) (Luke 5:1).

  • In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs (Mark 15:41).

  • "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (Jesus, John 8:12).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, because you are our Savior, you are our leader. Following you is our calling in life. Help us to be faithful followers and lead others to follow you through our words and example. In the power of your Spirit. Amen.

Jesus still cries "Follow me!"

"Follow the Leader" was a popular game when I was growing up. Today 316NOW is a ministry that calls our friends around the world to follow the ultimate leader--Jesus Christ. This is no game. Saving souls from hell is as serious as it gets in this world. Help us share the Good News that our Savior is still calling followers to himself.