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Following Jesus must be preceded by repentance—turning away from our sin and moving in a new direction. Yes, there are times we will turn back to our sins. As John says in 1 John 1:8, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves." But then John follows up in verse 9 with this hopeful news: "But if we confess our sins to [God], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." Repent then follow. It's something we needed to do when we first started following Jesus. It's something we will need to do to keep following him throughout our lives.

Key Study Passage:

Mark 1:14-20

1. What does genuine repentance look like? What are indications that someone has truly repented?
2. In verse 15, Jesus said, "Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!" What Good News is Jesus talking about? What happens to someone who believes it? (See 2 Cor. 5:17.)
3. What does it mean to "fish for people" (v. 17)? Do you think all Christians are called to do this? Why or why not? (See Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Pet. 3:15-16; Col. 4:5-6; Rom. 1:16.)
4. Ask your small group or two or three Christian friends to join you in reading and discussing Francis Chan's Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples.

Spend Time in Prayer: Confess any sins that are currently hurting your relationship with God; thank God for forgiving you and cleansing you of sin; express your desire to be a follower whom Christ uses to bring others into his kingdom.

Mark 1:14-20

14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News. 15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"

The First Disciples

16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee's sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Heavenly Father, I confess that I haven't always followed you as closely as I should; please soften those hard places in my heart; help me to walk in joyful obedience so that I will not only call Jesus my Savior but also my Lord.

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