Embodying Jesus: A Lifelong Journey of Transformation
Summary
In our journey of faith, a pivotal question we must continually ask ourselves is, "What would Jesus do if He were in my shoes?" This question transcends time and culture, inviting us to consider how Jesus' teachings and actions can be applied to our unique circumstances today. Whether you're a university student, a parent, an entrepreneur, or a landscape architect, the essence of being an apprentice of Jesus is to discern His will in every situation we encounter. It's about training ourselves to naturally embody His love, wisdom, and grace in our daily lives.
The process of spiritual formation is not about mimicking the exact life of a first-century Jewish rabbi but about transforming our hearts and minds to reflect Jesus' character in our own context. This transformation requires intentional practice and dedication. We must immerse ourselves in His teachings, engage in prayer, and cultivate a community that supports our growth. As we do so, we begin to see the world through His eyes, respond with His compassion, and act with His integrity.
Our goal is to become the kind of people who instinctively know how to respond as Jesus would, not because we are following a set of rules, but because our hearts have been shaped by His love. This journey is lifelong, filled with challenges and opportunities for growth. Yet, it is through this process that we find true fulfillment and purpose, living a life that not only honors God but also brings His kingdom to earth.
Key Takeaways:
- Embodying Jesus in Our Context: The call to follow Jesus is not about replicating His historical life but about embodying His teachings in our unique situations. This requires us to ask, "What would Jesus do if He were me?" and to seek His guidance in our daily decisions. [00:09]
- Spiritual Formation as Transformation: Spiritual formation is a transformative process where we train ourselves to naturally reflect Jesus' character. It involves immersing ourselves in His teachings and allowing them to shape our thoughts and actions. [00:23]
- Intentional Practice and Community: Growing in Christlikeness requires intentional practice and a supportive community. Engaging in prayer, studying scripture, and surrounding ourselves with fellow believers are essential to our spiritual growth. [00:40]
- Seeing Through Jesus' Eyes: As we grow in our faith, we begin to see the world through Jesus' eyes, responding with His compassion and integrity. This perspective shift allows us to act in ways that bring His love and justice to those around us. [00:23]
- A Lifelong Journey of Growth: The journey of becoming like Jesus is lifelong, filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth. It is through this ongoing process that we find true fulfillment and purpose, living a life that honors God. [00:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - What Would Jesus Do?
[00:23] - Spiritual Formation
[00:40] - Embodying Jesus' Love
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
- Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the primary question an apprentice of Jesus should ask in their daily life? [00:09]
2. According to the sermon, what is the goal of spiritual formation? [00:23]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of community in spiritual growth? [00:40]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Romans 12:2 relate to the idea of spiritual formation as described in the sermon? [00:23]
2. In what ways does Colossians 3:12-14 illustrate the concept of embodying Jesus' teachings in our unique contexts? [00:09]
3. What might be the significance of seeing the world through Jesus' eyes, as mentioned in the sermon, in the context of Colossians 3:12-14? [00:23]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How might asking "What would Jesus do if He were me?" have influenced your choice? [00:09]
2. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to embody Jesus' character. What practical steps can you take to align more closely with His teachings? [00:23]
3. Consider your current community. How can you contribute to creating a supportive environment that fosters spiritual growth? [00:40]
4. Think of a situation where you reacted without compassion. How can you prepare yourself to respond with Jesus' compassion in similar future situations? [00:23]
5. What is one intentional practice you can incorporate into your daily routine to help transform your heart and mind to reflect Jesus' character? [00:23]
6. How can you actively seek to see the world through Jesus' eyes this week, especially in challenging situations? [00:23]
7. Reflect on your lifelong journey of faith. What is one challenge you currently face, and how can you view it as an opportunity for growth in Christlikeness? [00:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Embodying Jesus in Our Context
In our daily lives, we are called to embody the teachings of Jesus in our unique situations. This means asking ourselves, "What would Jesus do if He were me?" and seeking His guidance in our decisions. This approach is not about replicating the historical life of Jesus but about applying His principles to our modern-day challenges. Whether you're a student, a parent, or a professional, the essence of following Jesus is to discern His will in every situation. By doing so, we train ourselves to naturally embody His love, wisdom, and grace in our daily interactions. [00:09]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of a decision you need to make today. How can you approach it by asking, "What would Jesus do if He were in my shoes?"
Day 2: Spiritual Formation as Transformation
Spiritual formation is a transformative journey where we train ourselves to reflect Jesus' character. This process involves immersing ourselves in His teachings and allowing them to shape our thoughts and actions. It's not about following a set of rules but about letting His love transform our hearts and minds. As we engage in this journey, we begin to see the world through His eyes, responding with compassion and integrity. This transformation is a lifelong process that requires dedication and intentional practice. [00:23]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to change? How can you begin to allow His teachings to transform this area today?
Day 3: Intentional Practice and Community
Growing in Christlikeness requires intentional practice and a supportive community. Engaging in prayer, studying scripture, and surrounding ourselves with fellow believers are essential to our spiritual growth. A community that supports our growth helps us stay accountable and encourages us in our journey. By immersing ourselves in these practices, we cultivate a heart that naturally reflects Jesus' character. This intentional approach helps us to grow in our faith and become more like Him. [00:40]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support in your spiritual journey? How can you intentionally engage with them this week?
Day 4: Seeing Through Jesus' Eyes
As we grow in our faith, we begin to see the world through Jesus' eyes, responding with His compassion and integrity. This perspective shift allows us to act in ways that bring His love and justice to those around us. By seeing through His eyes, we are better equipped to respond to the needs of others and to act with kindness and empathy. This transformation is a result of immersing ourselves in His teachings and allowing them to shape our worldview. [00:23]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you struggled to respond with compassion. How can you approach it differently by seeing through Jesus' eyes?
Day 5: A Lifelong Journey of Growth
The journey of becoming like Jesus is lifelong, filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth. It is through this ongoing process that we find true fulfillment and purpose, living a life that honors God. This journey requires dedication and perseverance, as we continually seek to embody His teachings in our lives. By embracing this lifelong journey, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love and grace. [00:40]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing in your spiritual journey? How can you view it as an opportunity for growth and transformation?
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