Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
Sept 13, 2026
Learning to Follow Jesus
Luke 6:46-49
If a non-Christian friend were to ask you what it means to follow Jesus, how prepared would you be to give an answer? Would you feel nervous? What can make these conversations difficult sometimes?
Luke 6:46-49
[46] “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? [47] Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. [49] But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Think about your favorite hobbies. How do others know you do that activity? How do they know you enjoy making that craft? How do they know you support that team?
1. Living life with Jesus as our authority
Luke 6:12, 13 & 17
[12] In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. [13] And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles … [17] And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon
According to this passage, who was present to hear Jesus speak?
Why might these “others” have followed Jesus?
Romans 12:1-2
[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2. Living life with continuous awareness of the presence of Jesus.
Luke 6:47
[47] Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:
What three action verbs do we see Jesus say in this verse?
John 15:5-11
[5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
What might it look like in our daily lives to abide in Jesus? Or conversely, what might it look like to NOT abide?
“Like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” - C.S. Lewis
4 ways to be better at paying attention to God’s word.
- Pray for your pastor to continue to preach boldly.
- Pray that you will hear God clearly and specifically.
- Ask yourself, what did God say to you?
- Ask yourself, what are you going to do about it?
3. Living life as a storm resistant foundation builder.
Luke 6:47-49
[47] Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. [49] But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
On Sunday, Bob pointed out that the difference between the two builders is not intelligence, it’s obedience. Where do we see that in the passage and what might that look like in our lives?
