27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

JOHN 10:27 

“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO FOLLOW JESUS WITHOUT HIS WORD.”

JOHN 6:53-69

BECOMING STUDENTS OF THE WORD.

Student: any person who studies, investigates, or examines thoughtfully 

60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?

• “Jesus understood the offence many of His listeners took at His teaching, yet He didn’t change the teaching or feel it was His fault. Jesus didn’t preach just to please His audience. If that was His concern, He would have instantly taken back what was just said, seeing His audience was offended. Jesus didn’t take it back. He challenged and confronted them even more.”

6 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

• YOU WON’T FOLLOW JESUS AS AN OBSERVER

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[j]”

RECOGNIZE I’M THE STUDENT.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

9 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

ISAIAH 55:8-9

As for God, his way is perfect:

The Lord’s word is flawless;

he shields all who take refuge in him

PSALM 18:30

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

MATTHEW 24:25

SEEK TO UNDERSTAND

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

JOHN 14:26

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 

JOHN 16:12

CHOOSE TO STAY ANCHORED

68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[j]”