I’ve spent years studying leadership, but my deepest passion is followership. Why? Leaders will only be remembered for their influence on their followers. The legacy isn’t in the title—it’s in the transformation.
That’s why I’m researching and writing my upcoming book, The Tremendous Power of Followership, a work born out of biblical insight and modern leadership frameworks. Two books have been especially foundational in my journey: The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman and The Training of the Twelve by A. B. Bruce. Both explore the greatest leadership model in history—Jesus Christ—and His intentional development of followers who changed the world. That’s exactly what Jesus did.
A changed world can only come from changed individuals.
There’s a reason the Bible remains the #1 bestselling book of all time, and Christianity is the largest faith on Earth. Yes, our founder is God incarnate—who literally conquered death through resurrection—but He also developed a core group of everyday people who carried His divine plan forward. They didn’t just witness miracles—they became messengers of them.
Focus on the Follower
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted His name, but His eyes were fixed on the twelve. For three years, He had poured into His inner circle—not the popular or powerful—but the faithful, available, and teachable. His earthly ministry was about to culminate in betrayal, blood, and resurrection, but Jesus knew something critical:
The future of the mission would hinge on the formation of the followers.
Jesus didn’t simply perform miracles. He prepared men. As Holy Week unfolds—from the triumphal entry to the cross—we see His Master Plan of Evangelism in action: intentional selection, focused training, shared life, and ultimate release.
And not all responded the same way.
The 7 Types of Followership in Holy Week:
As we reflect on the final days before the crucifixion, we can see each of the 7 Types of Followership modeled by those closest to Christ. Here’s how they show up:
1. Transformational Followership — Peter (restored)
Peter was bold, brash, and broken. But despite his denial, his heart was always fully turned toward Christ. After his restoration, Peter leads with power and passion—risking everything to proclaim the Gospel.
🕊 This follower grows through failure and becomes a cornerstone in the movement.
2. Transactional Followership — Judas Iscariot
Judas walked with Jesus but never surrendered his will. His motives were selfish, his agenda hidden, and his loyalty bought and sold. He followed only as long as it served him.
💰 This follower calculates the cost in personal gain, not spiritual growth.
3. Passive Followership — Thomas (pre-resurrection)
Thomas wanted proof. He followed, but often with caution and questions. After the resurrection, however, he becomes a bold witness—“My Lord and my God!”
❓ This is the follower who hangs back until the evidence becomes personal.
4. Conformist Followership — The Other Disciples at Gethsemane
They fell asleep. They fled. In fear and confusion, they followed the crowd or scattered. Yet Jesus would later call them back to the mission.
💤 This follower complies but collapses under pressure.
5. Alienated Followership — The Zealot & the Distant Ones
Some expected Jesus to rise up politically, not die sacrificially. Simon the Zealot likely wrestled deeply with the change in tone during Holy Week.
⚔️ This follower is disillusioned by unmet expectations.
6. Exemplary Followership — John, Mary Magdalene, the Women at the Cross
John stayed. The women wept at the tomb. These followers didn’t flee—they followed all the way to the cross and beyond.
💗 This follower shows up, speaks out, and stays present—even in pain.
7. Opportunistic Followership — The Crowd
On Palm Sunday, they cried, “Hosanna!” By Friday, it was “Crucify Him!” The crowd follows hype, not holiness.
🎭 This follower is swayed by emotion, not devotion.
The Master Plan in Action
Jesus was never after the biggest crowd—He was after the most committed hearts. As outlined in The Master Plan of Evangelism and The Training of the Twelve, His strategy wasn’t mass marketing. It was multiplication through intentional relationship. He:
- Selected a few,
- Invested deeply,
- Modeled consistently,
- Empowered boldly,
- Released them entirely.
That is the divine design of discipleship and the ultimate succession plan.
This Holy Week, Ask Yourself:
- What kind of follower am I right now?
- Am I faithful when it’s uncomfortable—or only when it’s easy?
- What type of follower am I developing in others?
- Am I preparing people to stay close to the cross or run from the pressure?
Jesus knew the time was short. He turned His full attention to preparing His followers—not for comfort, but for calling. And now, we are those followers. Let’s step into this Holy Week with clarity, conviction, and courage. Because the cross wasn’t the end, it was the beginning of our mission.
