Fall In

What do you do when you hear the words, “fall in”? You immediately stand at attention, dress right, and wait for instructions that you will follow with perfection. In fact, you have practiced hours just responding to those words and commands so that you can perform with perfection.

Jesus uses the same Greek word the military used as a requirement for discipleship. The Greek word used in the military for the “fall in” command is akoloutheo. Jesus used this word when he commanded his disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow (akoloutheo) Me” (Mark 8:34). This is the 5^th character quality of a disciple; A response of allegiance to follow Christ. You know what it means to “fall in” within the military. How do the Scriptures use this word when it asks us to follow?

The scriptures use this word akoloutheo in many passages. They give meaning to what it looks like to follow as a disciple. There are three categories in which a Christian follows:

1. Follow Christ.
2. Follow other Christians’ example.
3. Follow godly principles.

The verses and principles can be found in the 5^th study, which can be downloaded from the Downloads page.

When you hear the words, “fall in,” there is something in you that wants to move to actions of obedience. You have been trained how to respond to the command. When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” we should have the same response of obedience. “Yes Sir!”

Christ is also our example of how to follow. When the Father in heaven asked Jesus to become a man, He said “Yes Sir.” When the Father sent Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days and nights with no food, Jesus said, “Yes Sir.” When the Father asked Jesus to suffer and die on the cross, Jesus said, “Yes Sir.” When the Father said, “Arise from the grave,” Jesus said, “Yes Sir.”