Week 1: What is a Disciple? Fan vs. Follower

In today’s culture, the word “Christian” often carries a vague meaning—sometimes it simply means someone who identifies with Jesus or attends church on Sundays. But the Bible paints a much clearer, more challenging picture. Jesus never intended for people to be mere fans, admiring Him from afar or enjoying the benefits of faith without surrendering their lives. He calls us to be disciples—committed followers who surrender everything and live fully for Him.

This study will invite you to step beyond casual interest or comfort and embrace the radical, transformative call to follow Jesus daily.

In today’s American church culture, it’s easy to confuse being near Jesus with truly following Him. Too often, church life can drift toward comfort and convenience—where gatherings feel more like events to attend than a mission to live out. Across the country, we see a growing tendency toward “spectator faith,” where people enjoy the benefits of community and inspiration without stepping into the costly, daily obedience Jesus calls for.

This is more than a stylistic issue; it’s a heart issue. We can easily settle for being spiritual consumers rather than servants, admirers rather than disciples. In this environment, faith risks becoming a personal accessory rather than a surrendered way of life. The greatest threat to the church is not open opposition from the world, but quiet apathy from within—people who cheer for Jesus on Sunday yet resist His lordship on Monday.

We must decide whether we will be fans—enthusiastic but uncommitted—or followers—devoted disciples who live for Jesus no matter the cost.

The Distinction Between Fans and Followers

We can easily fall into one of two categories in our relationship with Jesus:

FAN: Likes Jesus’ miracles and blessings but not His demands

FOLLOWER: Obeys Jesus even when it costs comfort or convenience

FAN: Cheerleader from a distance

FOLLOWER: Walks closely alongside Jesus in obedience

FAN: Follows faith when convenient

FOLLOWER: Commits to following Jesus regardless of circumstances

FAN: Seeks personal benefit and safety

FOLLOWER: Denies self and embraces sacrifice 

FAN: Lives for self

FOLLOWER: Lives for God’s Kingdom and mission

Jesus calls us not to simply admire Him but to follow Him with our whole heart.
Fans vs. Followers: In practical terms, a Christian fan might enjoy a church’s programs, music, and community (seeking comfort and personal benefit), but resist any call to real sacrifice. They “want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them” By contrast, a disciple (follower) is one who hears Jesus’ call and obeys it fully. Followers surrender personal comfort (“deny yourself”), pick up their cross, and live for God’s kingdom regardless of cost. They trust Jesus above all else, not just as a figure to admire. One writer asks: “Are we following Jesus or following the crowd?” – a question every believer must honestly answer.

Jesus’ Invitation to Follow

From the Gospels, it is clear that Jesus never envisioned discipleship as a casual fan club. His invitations were radical and personal. When Jesus saw the fishermen Peter and Andrew, He simply said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and became His disciples. This was not a casual suggestion: it signaled a total life-reorientation around Jesus. Later He reiterated, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me”. In other words, following Jesus means daily self-denial and willingness to sacrifice – a call that inherently conflicts with a fan mentality of convenience. Finally, after His resurrection Jesus commissioned His followers: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This Great Commission frames our purpose: we are sent to invest in others’ lives, not merely to accumulate personal experiences or entertain crowds.

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”
— Matthew 4:18–20 NASB1995

Notice what Jesus said: “Follow Me.” This was not a casual suggestion or an invitation to join a club. It was a call to a new way of living, a total life reorientation. The call to follow Jesus is not about religion or ritual but about relationship and obedience.

In Luke 9:23 (NASB1995), Jesus said:

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Following Jesus requires denial of self and a willingness to carry a cross—symbols of sacrifice, surrender, and deep commitment. It is not a one-time decision but a daily choice.

Why Being a Follower Changes Everything

1. Your Identity is Transformed

Scripture promises that those who follow Christ become a “new creation”: the old self passes away and a new life begins. In Christ your identity no longer rests on your achievements, failures, or even your church attendance – it is grounded in who He is and what He has done. This liberating truth breaks the “fan” mindset of comparing ourselves or clinging to past sins and success.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB1995

This means your identity no longer depends on your past mistakes, successes, or even your own efforts, but on the finished work of Christ and His life in you.

2. Your Lifestyle is Reoriented

Followers of Jesus begin to live differently in everyday choices. The Gospel says over and over that following is not just believing facts, but obeying God’s commands. Again, in Jesus’s Call to discipleship he said;

“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”
— Luke 9:23 NASB1995

The language of this passage is full of action and sacrifice. In practical terms, this shifts priorities from self-centered comfort to Christ-centered devotion. Commitments like marriage, work, finances and entertainment start getting filtered through the question “Is this honoring to Christ?” rather than “What benefits me?”. When we truly love God and our neighbor it will show in everyday compassion and integrity, not in spiritual know-how alone.
You live differently. Your priorities shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Your choices begin to reflect the love, mercy, and holiness of Christ.

3. Your Purpose is Realigned

Followers of Jesus live with purpose—to love God, love others, and make disciples:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:37–39 NASB1995

A disciple lives on mission, not for personal convenience. When you truly follow Jesus, your life is poured out for things bigger than yourself. You adopt His mission. As Jesus taught, the greatest commandments are to love God fully and love others sacrificially. And just before ascending, He charged His followers with;

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18–20 NASB1995

In other words, your goals change from seeking comfort or status to advancing God’s kingdom. You discover that people become your passion – just as Jesus’ first disciples were called to become “fishers of men.” This radical realignment means success is measured not by crowd size or budget, but by lives transformed by the Gospel.Your life is no longer your own; it is poured out for God’s glory and the expansion of His Kingdom.

The Cost and the Reward of Following Jesus

Jesus never sugarcoated discipleship. He warned it would cost everything you have:

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
— Luke 14:27 NASB1995

In practical terms, following Christ may mean surrendering control, facing rejection, risking your reputation or even material comforts for the sake of faith. As one pastor put it, true devotion means being “willing to give up everything,” even as church structures often contradict this teaching. A “fan” is content to sit in the stands for a feel-good show, but a disciple embraces the difficult work of kingdom living.. Yet the reward is far greater:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
— John 10:10 NASB1995

This “abundant life” is not merely material blessing or momentary happiness, but deep, lasting life in Christ – peace, purpose, and joy that transcend circumstances. Even amid trials, followers of Jesus experience His presence and power daily. In fact, the closer we walk with Christ (even through hardship), the more fully we partake in the very life He promised. True discipleship chooses God’s way of living  over superficial pleasure every time.

True abundant life—peace, joy, hope, and purpose—can only be found by those who follow Jesus faithfully.

Where Are You?

Ask yourself honestly:

1. Am I a fan admiring Jesus from the sidelines, or am I a follower walking daily in obedience?

2. What parts of my life have I held back from Jesus’ lordship?

3. What fears or excuses keep me from following Him fully?

4. How can I begin to take up my cross and follow Him more faithfully?

Your Next Step

The Christian life is a journey – one step at a time. If you sense that you’ve been more of a fan than a follower, start by examining your heart. Ask God to reveal any areas where you are holding back from Him or living for yourself. Consider Jesus’ challenge: “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross”. Which comforts might you need to surrender? Also, reach out to a mentor or mature Christian and share these struggles; you’re not meant to do this alone.

Finally, take practical steps of faith. Make it a habit to pray: say to God, “Make me a follower, not a fan. Give me courage to live for You.” In time, as you put one foot in front of the other, Jesus will honor your faithfulness. Remember His promise: He is with you always, even to the end of the age. The path of discipleship may be narrow, but it leads to life – abundant life in Him.

Before You Come – Reflection & Discussion Prep

As you read, take time to reflect prayerfully on these questions. Write down a few notes so you can share during our discussion:

1. Personal Pull – In what ways have you felt drawn to a church (past or present) more for its programs or style than for spiritual growth? What was the result?
   
   

2. True Discipleship – How would you define “discipleship” in your own words? How does it differ from simply attending church events?
   
   

3. Biblical Picture – Read Matthew 28:18–20. How does Jesus’ command here challenge the consumer-driven mindset often found in the American church?
   
   

4. Your Role – What is one way you can help foster deeper discipleship within our church family?
   
   

5. Warning Signs – What are some warning signs that a church might be drifting toward entertainment over spiritual formation?

Sources: Biblical citations are from the NASB (BibleHub/BibleGateway) and contemporary Christian writers and researchers newcreationinx.comchallies.com baylorlariat.com discipleship.orgchurchrenew.org. All quotes and statistics come from these trusted resources.