Simon Says vs. Follow the Leader: Are You Really Following Jesus?
When we were children, many of us played two familiar games: Simon Says and Follow the Leader.
At first glance, they appear to be the same. Both games require listening, paying attention, and responding to someone’s directions. But there is an important difference between them.
In Simon Says, you only have to do what Simon tells you to do. You listen for the command, perform the action, and then wait for the next instruction. You do not have to become like Simon. You only have to respond to Simon.
Follow the Leader is different.
When you play Follow the Leader, you walk like the leader walks. You move like the leader moves. You go where the leader goes. You do what the leader does.
That difference reveals something powerful about the Christian life.
Following Jesus is not simply about hearing what He says. It is about becoming more like Him.
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”
— Matthew 16:24
God Did Not Call Us Just to Hear
There are many people who know what God said but have never allowed His words to transform how they live.
We can hear sermons, quote Scriptures, attend church, sing worship songs, and still refuse to follow Jesus in our everyday lives.
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
— John 10:27
Notice that Jesus did not stop at hearing.
His sheep hear His voice and follow Him.
There is a difference between hearing a sermon and becoming the sermon. There is a difference between knowing what Jesus taught and allowing His teaching to shape your attitude, decisions, relationships, habits, and character.
Jesus never simply said, “Attend My teachings.”
He said, “Follow Me.”
Following Jesus means that we cannot remain exactly where we are. Peter had to leave what was familiar. The disciples had to release control. Each person Jesus called had to make a decision to move beyond listening and begin following.
Following Requires Transformation
Simon Says may require temporary obedience, but following Jesus requires lasting transformation.
Simon Says produces a momentary response. Following Jesus produces a changed life.
Romans 12:2 tells us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
God is not looking for people who can simply repeat Him. He is looking for people who will reflect Him.
It is possible to know church language, demonstrate church behavior, and participate in church moments without living according to the Kingdom of God.
Real discipleship reaches beyond Sunday morning. It changes how we treat people on Monday. It changes how we respond when we are offended. It changes what we do when no one is watching. It changes how we handle pressure, disappointment, temptation, success, and uncertainty.
You can become good at playing Simon Says and still avoid becoming the person God has called you to be.
Who You Follow Determines Who You Become
The people we follow influence the people we become.
First Corinthians 15:33 warns us:
“Bad company corrupts good character.”
When you continuously follow people who are undisciplined, your discipline will eventually be affected. When you surround yourself with people who are constantly negative, fearful, or faithless, their perspective can begin shaping your own.
However, when you surround yourself with people who are faithful, disciplined, prayerful, teachable, and committed to God, those qualities can begin influencing your life.
Elisha did not simply listen to Elijah. He watched him. He served him. He stayed close enough to learn from his life.
Some people leave the process too early and then wonder why they never fully developed.
Growth requires staying connected long enough to learn—not only from what someone says, but also from how they live.
Real Followers Must Be Humble
Following requires humility because following means admitting that you do not have every answer.
Proverbs 3:5 says:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
Following God means you will not always understand where He is leading you. You may not always agree with His timing. You may not always feel comfortable with the process.
But followers trust the leader.
Joshua did not begin as the leader of Israel. Before he stood in front of the people, he learned how to follow Moses.
Before God places you in front, He will often teach you how to follow.
Many people desire leadership but resist mentorship. They want authority but reject accountability. They want influence but do not want instruction.
However, a person who has never learned how to follow will struggle when it is time to lead.
Jesus Is the Standard
Jesus is not simply one leader among many. He is the standard for our lives.
He did not only preach love—He demonstrated love.
He did not only speak about sacrifice—He lived sacrificially.
He did not only teach humility—He humbled Himself.
Following Jesus will cost us something. It may cost our comfort, ego, preferences, schedule, excuses, plans, or desire for control.
But whatever following Jesus costs, refusing to follow Him will cost even more.
When we follow Jesus, He leads us out of:
- Shame
- Guilt
- Fear
- Condemnation
- Confusion
- Bondage
- Isolation
- Hopelessness
- Spiritual death
But He does not only lead us out. When we continue following, He leads us into:
- Grace
- Freedom
- Light
- Purpose
- Identity
- Peace
- Victory
- Community
- Truth
- Life
The question is not simply, “Can you hear Jesus?”
The real question is, “Will you follow Him?”
Are You Listening or Following?
Some of us have been playing Simon Says with God.
We hear Him. We acknowledge Him. We may even agree with Him—but we do not follow Him.
We want His promises without His process. We want His blessings without His instructions. We want Him to lead us out, but we do not always want to follow Him into the life He has prepared for us.
Today, make this declaration:
I am not just listening—I am following.
I am not just hearing—I am becoming.
Your next level is not only connected to what you hear.
It is connected to who you follow.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, help me move beyond simply hearing Your Word. Give me the courage to follow You, even when following requires sacrifice, humility, change, and trust. Renew my mind, transform my character, and teach me to reflect You in every area of my life. Lead me out of everything that has held me captive and lead me into Your grace, freedom, purpose, peace, and truth. I am not just listening. I am following. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Watch the full message
Are you following Jesus, or are you only listening to His instructions? Watch Pastor J’s complete message, “Simon Says vs. Follow the Leader,” and discover how true discipleship moves us from simply hearing God to becoming more like Christ.