See other research topics here.

We’ve curated these excellent resources to enable you to research this topic. Inclusion of speakers or authors does not indicate they are affiliated with Living Hope nor does it mean we endorse the content creators’ ministries, organizations, or other beliefs.

Beyond believing in the full gospel, it’s of paramount importance that you follow Christ. Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). If Jesus is your Lord, then his teachings matter. God doesn’t just care about your beliefs. He also cares about how you live. Resources in this section will help you understand the importance of following Jesus as well as how he taught us to live.

Featured Resource

This teaching serves as an overview of the two major components of following Jesus: (1) obeying his teachings and (2) imitating his example.

Read this article to learn about the benefits of following Jesus. For a brief overview of Jesus’ example of paradoxical submission, watch this class lecture.

Teachings of Jesus

God’s coming kingdom absolutely drove Jesus’ teachings, evangelism, and healing ministry. Those who came to follow him saw him as their rabbi and themselves as his disciples.

• Beatitudes of Jesus Class (12-video playlist) The first part of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount contains the beatitudes. This class goes through each, explaining what they mean and showing how Jesus exemplified them.
• Salt and Light (42m video) After the beatitudes, Jesus told his disciples they were salt and light, both retaining their distinctive flavor and shining brightly in the world. (Read the accompanying article here.)
• Inside Out Class (16-video playlist) Vince Finnegan works through the Sermon on the Mount to explore the heart of Christian living. (Get the accompanying book here.)
• Other teachings of Jesus include the Olivet Discourse (36m video) and his Last Supper Teaching (34m video)

Teaching of Jesus’ Apostles

Jesus’ teachings do not end with the Gospels, but continue through the Epistles. Peter, James, John, and Paul continue the teaching ministry of Jesus by filling in more detail about how Christ-followers should live.

• Transformed Living Class (16-video playlist) A variety of teachers work through Romans 12 and 13, verse by verse to unpack the practical insights of this transforming section of Paul’s epistle.
• Living Sacrifice (book) Vince Finnegan works through the Scriptures in a simple way to show you how to lead a godly life.

Jesus and the Covenants

Two extremes lie before us. Some say Jesus ignored or broke the Law of God, given by Moses. Others say that not only did Jesus obey the Law, but he also expects us to keep it today. The truth is, Jesus lived during a transitional period when the Old Covenant was still in effect, but he also taught and lived out the New Covenant. Thus, reading the Gospels requires discernment to sort out which sayings are for all time, and which pertained to those living under the Old Covenant.

• Jesus: Faithful Israelite Under the Old Covenant (36m video) Jerry Wierwille shows that Jesus was circumcised, attended festivals, wore tzitzit, ate kosher, observed the Sabbath, and sinlessly kept the Law.
• Jesus: New Covenant Exemplar and Teacher (36m video) Sean Finnegan begins by defining the New Covenant from Jeremiah 31 before showing that Jesus taught and lived out the New Covenant even before he ratified it with his blood.
• Christ’s Death Inaugurates the New Covenant (39m video) Sean Finnegan explains how Jesus’ sacrifice atoned for sins committed under the old system and initiated the New Covenant, bringing the Old Covenant to an end.

Recommended Resources

• Change to Change (book) Vince Finnegan asks the question, “What does it take to experience lasting change?” The solution is to make little changes in accordance with Scripture that over time will result in big change.
• New Covenant Theology Class (22-video playlist) Jerry Wierwille and Sean Finnegan explain the three main biblical frameworks: (1) dispensationalism, (2) covenant theology, and (3) new covenant theology. Among other points, they make a case that Jesus’ words are relevant for us today.