Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

Week 4: Chapter 3 — Following Jesus (What Does That Even Mean?)

Read Chapter 3 of Not a Fan. Key passage: Mark 8:34–38.

Idleman gets practical here: following Jesus is not a metaphor or a feeling — it is a daily, directional decision with real implications for how you spend your time, money, and relationships.

Discussion Questions

7 questions

1.Idleman points out that in Jesus' day, "follow me" was a literal, physical act — disciples walked behind their rabbi, going where he went. How does recovering that concrete picture change the way you understand what it means to follow Jesus today?

2.He describes followership as having direction (you are going somewhere), requiring daily decision (not a one-time event), and involving imitation (you are becoming like the one you follow). Which of those three dimensions is weakest in your own walk with Jesus right now?

3.Idleman uses the image of a GPS recalculating when you take a wrong turn. How does that image apply to what repentance and grace look like in the life of a follower? What does it feel like when the GPS of the Holy Spirit recalculates in your life?

a.Is there a wrong turn in your life right now where you sense God calling you to let the route recalculate?

b.What is making it hard to turn around?

4.The author notes that Jesus says "take up your cross daily" — meaning this is not a one-time decision made at an altar call but a continual, everyday choosing. How does the word "daily" change your picture of what the Christian life looks like?

5.Idleman challenges readers to think about whether their schedule, bank account, and relationships actually reflect the direction of a follower. If someone looked at your calendar and your bank statements this past month without any other information, would they conclude you were following Jesus? What would they see?

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Closing Prayer

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Jesus, you said "follow me" and men and women left their nets, their tax booths, and their fishing boats on the spot. We confess that our following is often more theoretical than actual — more about identity than direction, more about affiliation than imitation. Recalculate us, Lord. Show us the next step — in our schedules, our spending, our relationships — that would make our following more real and more costly. And remind us that the one we are imitating is the same one who gave his life for ours. Amen.

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