Podcast Summary:

ONE | A Potter's House Church — ACT 1: Follow The Leader (Surrender)
Teacher: Ebenezer Quaye | Wednesday Bible Study
Date: October 24, 2025

Overview

This episode launches a six-week Bible study series at ONE | A Potter’s House Church, led by Ebenezer Quaye. The main theme is "building the character of a disciple," emphasizing the journey from simply knowing scripture to living it out. Using interactive exercises, practical teachings, humor, and transparency, Ebenezer guides listeners and participants through what it means to truly follow Jesus—highlighting trust, surrender, and ongoing transformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Journey of Discipleship Begins (00:54)

• Ebenezer opens the session explaining that the series will be interactive—participants are encouraged to sit with others, reflecting the biblical model of discipleship in partnership.
• The next six weeks will focus on how to not just be called disciples, but be known as disciples by living it out.

2. Defining “Disciple” (03:20)

• The Greek word for disciple, mathētēs (“learner, pupil”), is explored.
  • “A disciple is a student... But it’s not just about collecting information, it’s about understanding—which shows up in how we live what we have learned.” (03:58)
• Discipleship is positioned as lifelong learning, not a destination.

3. Whose Teaching Are You Under? (06:30)

• Disciples take their cues from Jesus alone—not a blend of mixed teachings or motivational speakers.
• Group declaration:
  • “I am a disciple.” (07:30)

4. Follow The Leader: The Trust Exercise (Interactive Segment) (09:40–14:30)

• Ebenezer and CG enact a live exercise where one leads the other blindfolded.
  • Both confess feelings of discomfort and fear of falling, but trust grows with each step.
• Memorable quote:
  • “I got used to not knowing where I was going. At that point, I became comfortable.” — Ebenezer (13:10)
• Leadership Principles Illustrated:
  • Trust builds not from knowing the path but from knowing the leader.
  • The importance of letting go—participants had to surrender control and allow themselves to be led.

5. Spiritual Analogy of the Exercise (14:50–16:30)

• Ebenezer links the exercise to spiritual formation:
  • Jesus knows our end from the beginning.
  • Our challenge as disciples is not to open our eyes prematurely, but to keep holding Jesus’ hand even when we don’t know where we’re going.

6. Biblical Foundations of Surrender (Matthew 4:18–22) (18:45)

• The calling of the disciples on the Sea of Galilee is examined.
  • “They put down their nets. They put down their professions to gain an identity.” (19:50)
• Discipleship requires leaving behind what defines us, our comforts, or even our family—when Jesus calls, we respond by surrendering.

7. Walking by Faith, Not by Sight (21:00)

• Faith is not just “not knowing” but “listening with heightened senses.”
  • The act of walking by faith sharpens other senses—discerning the Spirit, hearing God’s voice.

8. The Mirror Exercise: Leading and Following (22:10–30:00)

• Pair exercise: One leads, one follows, mirroring each other’s movements.
  • Debrief: Participants reflect on what was easier—leading or following—and why (“control,” “trust,” “surrender”).
  • Ebenezer ties their answers to how we relate to Jesus in different seasons.
• “How we’re comfortable being led gives us a cue in how easy or difficult it’s going to be to follow Jesus.” (29:12)
• Emphasis: Discipleship challenges both our tendency toward control and toward passivity.

9. Discomfort and Growth (30:30–32:30)

• Christ will lead us into seasons that challenge our default mode.
• Disciples are recognizable not just by what they have, but by what they’ve left behind to follow Christ.

10. Practicing Surrender (33:00+)

• Further mirror exercise with a fictional shared memory enhances the lesson:
  • Familiarity and history make it easier to follow and lead.
  • “Relationship makes it easier to follow. I’m done. I need to preach: read your Bibles and you know the story. Amen. Good night.” — Ebenezer (47:29)
• Key: Shared history, trust, and relationship with Jesus make surrender and obedience possible.

11. Denying Self and Embracing the Call (Luke 9:23–25) (56:20)

• Disciples must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Christ.
• Ebenezer draws an acting analogy:
  • “You cannot step into this role as a disciple thinking the way you used to think before... who you are is as a disciple and a follower of Christ.” (57:13)

12. Developing a Character Backstory (1:08:00+)

• Actors study not just the lines but the character’s history; likewise, disciples need “history” with Jesus to stay in character.
• Scripture Anchor: John 10:27–30
  • “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (1:12:42)
• Our ability to follow comes from knowing we are known—and loved—by Jesus.

13. The Unbreakable Hold of Christ (1:15:00)

• “No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. My Father... is greater than all.” (1:15:50)
• Ebenezer enumerates seasons of his life that prove the continuous, knowing care of God.

14. Homework Assignment: Examine Your Reflection (1:29:00)

• Three reflection questions:
  1. Does my life mirror the life of Jesus?
  2. Where are we similar?
  3. Where are we different?
• These are not for self-condemnation, but to “center you back up with Him.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “A disciple is one with the understanding…They were consistently asking Jesus questions because they simply did not know. There was no such thing as a dumb question.” — Ebenezer (05:40)
• “You don't just know a disciple by what they have. You know a disciple by what they left behind.” (20:25)
• “I wanted to open my eyes and take a look, but...what I’m seeing is not going to make sense to me anyway, because I’m not the one who has the final destination in mind. It’s the person who’s leading me.” (16:18)
• “When you put Jesus in front of you as your mirror, it means everything behind you just blurs.” (35:50)
• “We have to deny who we think we are in order to inhabit this role that we've been given.” (57:13)
• “He knows me... He knows us all the same way. This is who I'm following.” (1:18:25)
• “So as we build character, as we build history, as we really walk in what it is to be a disciple, what it is to be a Christian, I want us to walk knowing the One who we follow not only knows us, not only are we given over to learning about him consistently, but the more we learn about him, the more we learn about us.” (1:19:36)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:54: Introduction to the six-week journey—need for interaction/community.
• 03:20: Defining “disciple”—lifelong student, learning vs. understanding.
• 09:40: “Follow the Leader” blind exercise—trust, surrender, and reliance.
• 13:47: Debrief of exercise—processing fear, trust, and guidance.
• 18:45: Matthew 4: “Leave your nets”—letting go to follow Jesus.
• 22:10: Mirror exercise—exploring dynamics of leadership and followership.
• 29:12: Debrief of comfort zones in leading or following.
• 47:29: Impact of shared memory and relationship in following.
• 56:20: Luke 9—Self-denial and the cost of following.
• 1:08:00: Acting analogy: History and character depth in discipleship.
• 1:12:42: John 10 (“My sheep hear my voice”) and the security of God’s hold.
• 1:29:00: Homework assignment—“Does my life mirror the life of Jesus?”

Tone & Language

• Warm, humorous, inviting, yet challenging—Ebenezer consistently blends practical application, vulnerability, and spiritual depth.
• Interactive, engaging, and participatory—listeners are constantly invited to reflect, move, and respond.
• Laced with memorable analogies (acting, mirroring, auditions), making the spiritual lessons tangible.

Practical Application & Takeaway

• Discipleship is not passive; it’s an active, ongoing surrender to Jesus as the only Teacher.
• Walking by faith sharpens our spiritual senses and requires letting go of comfort, old definitions, and self-control.
• Mirroring Jesus is the heart of discipleship—our life, over time, should more accurately reflect His.
• History with Jesus—rehearsing and recalling what He’s done—is crucial for faithfulness going forward.
• Regular self-examination (not for condemnation) ensures continual alignment and growth.

Essential Homework for Listeners

Ask yourself:

• Does my life mirror the life of Jesus?
• Where are we similar?
• Where are we different?

Let these questions center and challenge you—not to judge but to recalibrate and keep growing as a disciple.

Summary prepared from Ebenezer Quaye’s teaching at ONE | A Potter’s House Church:
ACT 1: Follow The Leader (Surrender), October 24, 2025.