WHY I FOLLOW JESUS
Preached to: Middle & High School Students
Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn
This week in our series WHY: Own Your Faith, we went deeper and asked a challenging question: Is believing in Jesus the same as following Him? In Luke 9:23–26, Jesus makes it clear that following Him means denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and choosing surrender over convenience. Faith isn’t just a moment at camp or a decision on a Sunday—it’s lived out in daily choices at school, online, and with friends.
We reminded students that if faith only exists when it’s comfortable, it’s not really following—it’s watching from the sidelines. Following Jesus may cost comfort or popularity, but it leads to freedom, purpose, and real life. As we continue this series, we’re challenging students to move from simply believing to fully surrendering and following Jesus every day.
Next Steps:
Identify one area where you need to follow, not just believe.
Choose one daily habit that strengthens your walk.
Visit the WHY Wall and own your faith publicly.
Acceleration doesn’t happen by accident—it happens through daily obedience.
Keep up with all that’s going on at Amplify Youth, including dates, times, sign-ups, and forms, on our main page.
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🍽 NIGHT 1 — Belief vs. Following
🎯 Topic: What’s the difference between believing something and actually living it?
💬 Conversation Starters:
What’s something you believe is good for you but don’t always follow through on? (Healthy eating, studying, sleep, etc.)
How is believing in Jesus different from following Jesus?
What do you think Jesus meant by “deny yourself”?
📖 Read Together: Luke 9:23
🏠 Family Reflection:
What does surrender look like in our family?
Is there anything we say we believe but struggle to live out?
🙏 Prayer Prompt: “Jesus, help us move from agreement to obedience.”
🍽 NIGHT 2 — Daily Faith
🎯 Topic: Following Jesus isn’t a moment — it’s daily.
💬 Conversation Starters:
What does “take up your cross daily” mean in student life?
Where is it hardest to follow Jesus? (School? Sports? Online?)
What competes for first place in your life?
📖 Read Together: Luke 9:24–25
🏠 Family Reflection:
Have you ever chosen comfort over obedience?
What is one daily habit that could strengthen your faith?
🙏 Prayer Prompt: “God, give us courage to follow You even when it’s uncomfortable.”
🍽 NIGHT 3 — What Is It Costing You?
🎯 Topic: If following Jesus costs nothing, is it really following?
💬 Conversation Starters:
Have you ever had to choose between fitting in and doing what’s right?
Why do you think Jesus talks about losing your life to find it?
What does it look like to follow Jesus publicly without being weird or fake?
🏠 Family Reflection:
How can we support each other in following Jesus boldly?
What does daily obedience look like this week?
🙏 Prayer Prompt: “Jesus, help us follow You not just when it’s easy, but when it matters.”
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Intro
Last week: WHY we believe
This week: WHY we follow
Believing ≠ Following
Big Idea: Belief acknowledges Jesus. Following surrenders to Him.
Luke 9:23 (NLT) — 3 Key Phrases
1. Deny Yourself
Not self-hatred
Saying no to selfish control
Jesus leads — not feelings, friends, or culture
What competes with Jesus being first?
2. Take Up Your Cross DAILY
Not just a camp moment
Not just Sunday
Daily obedience: School, friends, online
Integrity when no one is watching
3. Follow Me
Not religion
Not a vibe
Not a church brand
A relationship with Jesus
The Cost (Luke 9:24–25)
If I build my life around popularity → I lose purpose
If I build my life around comfort → I lose calling
If I build my life around myself → I lose eternity
Surrender leads to freedom
Personal Why
I follow Jesus because I trust Him more than myself
Obedience builds trust
Challenge
Why do YOU follow Jesus?
Is your faith convenient or committed?
If it costs you nothing, you’re just watching from the sidelines
What Following Looks Like
Saying no when others say yes
Living differently online
Owning your faith publicly
Serving without applause
Daily obedience fuels acceleration
Next Steps
Identify one area where you need to follow, not just believe.
Choose one daily habit to strengthen your walk.
Visit the WHY WALL.
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Luke 9:23–26 (NLT)
Verse 23
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”Verse 24
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”Verse 25
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?”Verse 26
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”
