(A) – FOUNDATIONAL

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Loving the Lord with all our hearts, souls and minds – Matt 22:37, Luke 10:27.

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Loving our neighbours as ourselves – Matt 22:39, 25:35–40 – even our ‘enemies’– Matt 5:43–45.

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Repentance and Baptism – From the very start of His ministry Jesus, as did John the Baptist, taught that repentance was essential for sinners to be saved – Matt 4:17, Mark 1:5, Luke 5:32, 13:3–5.  Jesus, by example, showed that Baptism was also necessary – Matt 3:13–15 – supporting John’s insistence of repentance followed by baptism – Matt 3:1–11, Mark 1:4–5.  Later, after Jesus’ resurrection, He would again confirm that repentance and baptism are essential to all people – Matt 28:19–20, Luke 24:46–47.

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(B) – REALLY IMPORTANT

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Pursuit of God’s Kingdom – Undergirding all Jesus taught is His revelation that “the kingdom of God is near” – Matt 4:1 – declaring that it was “good news” for everyone – Matt 4:23, 6:35, 9:35.  He would regularly emphasise the implications of this for repentance – Mark 1:15 – and how believers are to live their lives pursuing God’s kingdom and righteousness – Matt 6:33, 11:12, Luke 12:30 – and being a witness to its power – Matt 10:7–8.  As well, Jesus taught extensively on the nature of God’s kingdom – Matt 20–25 – and the commitment that was required to embrace and enter it – Matt 19:23–24 – later referring to all His teaching as the “gospel of the kingdom” – Matt 24:14.

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Knowing Jesus and the Father intimately – In His analogy of “the good shepherd” Jesus stressed how essential it is for believers to know Him intimately, just as He knows the Father intimately – John 10:14–15. This is the “key,” not only to salvation – John 10:9,28 – but to understanding His truth and following His ways – v27.  Later, in His prayer for all believers, Jesus reaffirms the importance of a close, loving relationship with both He and the Father as a witness to the world – a witness that is to be signified by their unity – John 17:20–26.

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Commitment to prayer, including always praying for needs and not giving up – Jesus often retreated to ‘lonely places’ to pray by Himself to the Father – Luke 5:16.  He also taught His followers how to pray – Matt 6:6.  Jesus was committed to pray before important decisions, such as choosing His apostles – Luke 6:12–13 – and on significant occasions, such as before He was to go to the cross – John17 (praying for Himself, His disciples and all believers).  Jesus would further demonstrate and emphasise prayer’s importance to His disciples at His transfiguration on the Mount of Olives – Luke 22:39–46 – and the value of persistent prayer in the Parable of the Persistent Widow – Luke 18:1–8.  The author of Hebrews later highlighted the fervent and submissive nature of Jesus’ prayer to the Father – Heb 5:7.  It is also noteworthy that, on visiting the temple, Jesus proclaimed that His house should be a house of prayer – Luke 19:46.

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Denying oneself in sacrificial commitment to Him and following His ways – Jesus’ emphasis on taking up our cross ‘daily’ and leaving everything behind – Matt 16:24–25, Luke 9:23–24, Mark 8:34–37 – including His challenge to the rich young man – Matt 19:16–21, 29, Luke18:18–30 – and not counting the cost – Luke 9:57–62.

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Demonstrating Christian virtues to all those around us – As a ‘light’ to the world – Matt 5:14–16.   Note reference to meekness, mercifulness, purity of heart and peace–making in the Beatitudes – Matt. 5:3–9.  

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Showing forgiveness and mercy – Parable of the Unmerciful Servant – Matt 18:21–35 – importance of justice, mercy and faithfulness – seen in Jesus’ admonition of the Pharisees – Matt 23:23.  Forgiving others is prerequisite for our own forgiveness – Luke 6:37b.

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Displaying child–like innocence and humility – Jesus’ promise of the Kingdom and high prominence given to the truly humble and those receptive to Jesus – Matt 18:1–4, Mark 10:13–16, Luke 18:15–17.

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‘Hearing’ and ‘taking in’ Jesus’ teaching – Resulting in changed lives as it is put it into practice – Parable of the Sower– Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15 – Parable of a Lamp on a Stand – Mark 4:21–23, Luke 8:16.  Obedience to Jesus is proof of true discipleship and leads to being ‘set free’ – John 8:31.  This is also evidence of our love for Him – John 14:23–24.

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Having a ‘servant heart’ – As Jesus embodied and instructed His disciples to show and as demonstrated in the washing of His disciples’ feet – John 13:12 –17.  This requirement was particularly emphasised in His response to the request of James and John for prominence in the Kingdom to come – Mark 10:43–45 – also refer Luke 22:24–27, Matt:20:25–28.

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Treating others with kindness, generosity and mercy – Jesus’ teaching on loving even our enemies and doing to other people what we would have them do to ourselves – Luke 6:27–36.  This is proof that we are the Father’s sons – Matt 5:43–48.

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Not judging or condemning others hypocritically – Jesus linked this to the Father’s forgiveness and provision – Luke 6:37–42.

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Not being anxious but trusting in the Lord for everything needed in life – As believers seek after God’s kingdom – Luke 12:22–34.

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Being ‘watchful’ and ‘ready’ for Jesus’ return – Parables of the Watchful Servants and Wise Manager– Luke 12:35–48 – and The Sprouting Fig tree – Luke 21:29–36.

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Commitment to evangelism – Jesus released His disciples, including the seventy–two, to go out and spread the good news of God’s kingdom – Luke 10:1–20.  Later, before He returned to heaven, Jesus commissioned His disciples to spread the Gospel “to all nations", teaching them to be His “disciples” – Matt 28:19–20, Mark16:15–18, Luke 24:46 – refer also John 17:18,20, 20:21.

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Dependence on impartation of the Holy Spirit – Prior to returning to heaven, Jesus purposely insisted that His disciples first receive the ‘baptism’ or impartation of the Holy Spirit before actively witnessing for Him – Acts 1:4, Luke 24:48–49 – refer also John 20:21–22.