Sunday morning we talked about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. The culture around us screams that life is all about what we can get and how much power we can attain. Being a disciple redefines success and points us to a more excellent way… the Way of Jesus. That means that discipleship is a journey to be lived out, rather than a lesson only to be understood.

We traced discipleship back to the first century and how the Jewish people made disciples. We noted some primary observations from this study:

1. Discipleship begins in childhood. (Don’t overlook the importance of formation in children)
2. Discipleship is very Word focused. (Children memorizing the entire Torah)
3. Discipleship is a process. (Jewish stages Betz Safare, Bet Talmud, & Bet Midrash)
4. Discipleship breaks down the sacred/secular divide. (It affects all of life)
5. At the heart of Discipleship is being just like our Rabbi (teacher, master)

Jesus did not call us to be disciples in order to recite the stories of His life. He called us to be His disciple so that we may relive the stories of His life, and be just like Him. John 14:12 states:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also;

and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

 Isn’t that amazing? The God of all creation, incarnate in the flesh, said that we are to do what He did and even greater works. This pushes us beyond the teaching that Jesus is the exception. Many times we hear that Jesus did (fill in the blank), so I don’t have to. Understanding what it means to be a disciple awakens us to the reality that Jesus is not the exception, but the example. He served, so I serve. He loved, so I love. He went to the cross, so I will take up mine. When the people of God embrace this radical call to follow Jesus we will see the reality of Acts 17:6 as the world is turned upside down. We can/should/are called to change the world.

 I want to challenge you to examine your life. Look at your patterns (the rhythm of your life). Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas you need to better imitate Christ. This is the beauty of sanctification.

I will leave you with a verse to reflect on. I would also ask that you read this verse and then enter a time of prayer. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and application. Then just sit in the silence and listen.

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

–      1 John 2:6 NKJV

Trevan found a page that I had written a few days earlier in a hotel. That day I wrote down some covenant statements to the LORD. I wrote about how I would “covenant to love and lead my family to Christ.” I would covenant to “model humility and love.” I wrote about things that I felt were vitally important for my family. What happened next brought me to tears.

Trevan found a pen and began to write in my journal. He wanted total privacy and decided to go into my office. After he had finished writing in my journal he placed it back in its place and went to bed. I opened my journal and found a page and a half of Trevan writing out his own “covenant statements”. He wrote things like, “I covenant to be a better brother.”, and “I covenant to love Jesus and my family with all my heart.”. I will never forget that night and how vividly I am reminded that our children are watching. We have such an opportunity to impact and mold the lives of our children. God please help me be the man I need to be!

With that said, I have found extra motivation to blog. As much as this blog is a place for me to get ideas out there, and share my heart with the world. It is especially a place for me to chronicle my heart and faith journey for my children. I am saving the word document of each blog and will present them to my sons when the time is right. So, I pray this blog is a blessing to you. I pray that you glean something of value that will encourage you in your walk with Christ. I also pray that my journey will be an inspiration to my boys and create in them a hunger to continue the pursuit of Christ.

Blessings!