Transformative Discipleship: Progressing in Christ's Likeness
Summary
In the journey of faith, we embark on a transformative process that is not about achieving perfection but about making progress towards the likeness of Christ. This series, "Practice Makes Progress," is an invitation to engage in the practices of Jesus, to learn from His way of life, and to incorporate His disciplines into our own. It is a call to be active participants in our spiritual formation, recognizing that while God is the ultimate agent of change, we too have a role to play.
Being a disciple of Jesus is less about acquiring knowledge in a classroom setting and more about the hands-on experience, akin to learning a martial art like jiujitsu. It requires full engagement—mind, body, and spirit. The American Church often treats discipleship as an academic pursuit, but true discipleship demands practice, not just theory.
Our spiritual growth is both inward and outward. As Christ is formed within us, we become equipped to live sent lives, impacting others for the Kingdom. However, this transformation requires time—a commodity that is increasingly scarce in our culture. Many of us struggle to find the breathing room necessary for Christ to be formed in us and to live out our mission.
The series will challenge us to examine our lives for the space between our current pace and our limits. We must confront the reasons behind our lack of margin and address the lack of discipline, cultural pressures, or life seasons that leave us with no room for spiritual growth.
Spiritual practices are like kindling; they are not the goal in themselves but are necessary to ignite the fire of God's presence in our lives. These practices—engaging with Scripture, prayer, Sabbath, solitude, community, hospitality, and service—are not checkboxes for spiritual maturity but means to an end: growth and the presence of Christ in our lives.
We must be wary of treating these practices as a barometer for spiritual maturity, a gloomy chore, a form of merit, a platform for virtue signaling, or a means of control. Instead, we should view them as disciplines that create the time and space to access the presence and power of the Spirit, leading to transformation from the inside out.
As we embark on this series, we are reminded that becoming like Jesus is possible but not inevitable. It requires intentional effort, training rather than trying, and a willingness to rearrange our lives around Jesus, our true Rabbi. We are invited to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do as He did.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual formation is an active process where we partner with God to become who Jesus would be if He were us. It is not about passivity but about intentional engagement with the practices that Jesus Himself modeled. [16:28]
- Time is a critical factor in our spiritual growth. Without margin in our lives, we cannot expect to grow. We must audit our time and make deliberate choices about what we allow to shape us, choosing to be formed by Jesus rather than the pressures of the world. [11:21]
- Spiritual practices are not the end goal but the means to experiencing God's presence. Like kindling that ignites a fire, these disciplines help us encounter the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. [38:42]
- Discipleship involves a cost: the rearrangement and reorientation of our lives around Jesus. Our current life arrangements reveal what or who we are truly following, and to follow Jesus, we must be willing to make Him our central focus. [29:23]
- The journey of discipleship is a lifelong apprenticeship where we learn to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do as He did. This process is not about instant perfection but about gradual transformation, one degree at a time. [27:13]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:21 - "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
2. Galatians 4:19 - "My little children, for whom I am in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you."
3. Ephesians 4:22-24 - "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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" in John 20:21?
2. In Galatians 4:19, Paul uses the metaphor of childbirth to describe his efforts. What does this metaphor suggest about the process of spiritual formation?
3. According to Ephesians 4:22-24, what are the steps involved in putting on the new self?
4. The sermon mentioned that spiritual practices are like kindling for a fire. What are some of these practices mentioned, and how do they help ignite the presence of God in our lives? [37:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "sent" by Jesus in John 20:21 relate to our daily lives and mission as Christians?
2. What might Paul be indicating about the difficulty and importance of spiritual formation with his metaphor in Galatians 4:19? [02:48]
3. In Ephesians 4:22-24, what does it mean to "put off your old self" and "put on the new self"? How does this process contribute to spiritual growth?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of creating margin in our lives for spiritual growth. Why is time considered a critical factor in this process? [11:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life pace. Do you have enough margin to allow for spiritual growth? What specific changes can you make to create more breathing room? [07:44]
2. Identify one spiritual practice (e.g., prayer, Sabbath, solitude) that you struggle to incorporate into your life. What steps can you take this week to begin integrating this practice more consistently? [35:30]
3. The sermon mentioned that our lives are often arranged around something or someone. What is your life currently oriented around, and how can you begin to reorient it around Jesus? [30:04]
4. Consider the idea of spiritual formation as training rather than trying. What is one area of your spiritual life where you have been "trying" and how can you shift to a mindset of "training"? [32:40]
5. The sermon discussed the importance of being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing as He did. Which of these three areas do you find most challenging, and what is one practical step you can take to grow in that area? [25:44]
6. Think about the metaphor of spiritual practices as kindling for a fire. What specific practice can you focus on this week to help ignite the presence of God in your life? [37:25]
7. Reflect on the statement, "Becoming like Jesus is possible but not inevitable." What intentional efforts can you make this week to move closer to the likeness of Christ? [48:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Intentional Engagement for Transformation
Spiritual formation is a dynamic journey that requires our active participation. It is not a passive process where change magically happens; it involves intentional engagement with the practices that Jesus Himself modeled. These practices are not just religious routines but are the means through which we can grow to become more like Christ. By deliberately choosing to engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation on Scripture, and acts of service, we create the conditions necessary for God to work within us. This engagement is not about ticking off a list of spiritual tasks but about entering a deeper relationship with God, allowing His Spirit to mold us from the inside out. As we practice these disciplines, we become more attuned to God's voice and more responsive to His leading, which is essential for our spiritual growth and transformation. [16:28]
James 1:22-25 (ESV)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection:
What is one spiritual discipline you have been avoiding or neglecting, and how can you begin to incorporate it into your daily routine starting today?
Day 2: Time as a Vessel for Growth
The scarcity of time in our modern lives often leaves us feeling rushed and unable to focus on our spiritual growth. However, time is a critical factor in our relationship with God. Without creating margin in our lives, we cannot expect to grow. It is essential to audit our time and make deliberate choices about what we allow to shape us. We must choose to be formed by Jesus rather than the pressures of the world. This may mean saying no to certain activities or commitments to make room for prayer, reflection, and other spiritual practices. By prioritizing our time with God, we open ourselves up to the transformative work He wants to do in us. [11:21]
Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Reflection:
How can you rearrange your daily schedule to ensure that you have dedicated time for spiritual practices, and what might you need to reduce or eliminate to make this possible?
Day 3: Spiritual Practices as Means to Encounter God
Spiritual practices are not the end goal but the means to experiencing God's presence. Like kindling that ignites a fire, these disciplines help us encounter the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Engaging with Scripture, prayer, Sabbath, solitude, community, hospitality, and service are not checkboxes for spiritual maturity but pathways to growth and the presence of Christ in our lives. These practices create the time and space to access the presence and power of the Spirit, leading to transformation from the inside out. They are the tools given to us to cultivate a rich and vibrant spiritual life. [38:42]
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection:
Which spiritual practice can you focus on this week to deepen your experience of God's presence, and what steps will you take to integrate it into your life?
Day 4: The Cost of Discipleship
Discipleship involves a cost: the rearrangement and reorientation of our lives around Jesus. Our current life arrangements reveal what or who we are truly following. To follow Jesus, we must be willing to make Him our central focus. This may require us to change our priorities, our relationships, and even our daily habits. It is a call to live a life that is countercultural, one that seeks the Kingdom of God above all else. As we make these changes, we find that our lives begin to reflect the life of Christ more clearly, and our actions become aligned with His will. [29:23]
Luke 14:33 (ESV)
"So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you need to make Jesus the central focus, and what practical steps can you take to begin this process of reorientation?
Day 5: Lifelong Apprenticeship in Discipleship
The journey of discipleship is a lifelong apprenticeship where we learn to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do as He did. This process is not about instant perfection but about gradual transformation, one degree at a time. As we spend time with Jesus, we learn from His teachings, His character, and His love for others. This apprenticeship is about embodying the ways of Jesus in our everyday lives, allowing His Spirit to guide us in every decision and action. It is a journey of constant learning, growing, and maturing as we seek to live out our faith authentically. [27:13]
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:
In what ways can you more intentionally 'apprentice' under Jesus, learning from His life and teachings, and how can this shape your actions this week?
Quotes
- "To be human is to grow, to develop, to change, to be formed into someone. So one of the questions that we've got to ask is who is forming us." [15:02] (Download | )
- "Being formed by Jesus doesn't mean that we don't have a part to play in the process. It doesn't mean that we become passive." [15:44] (Download | )
- "Spiritual formation is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were me." [16:28] (Download | )
- "If you want to be an apprentice of Jesus, you might have to reorganize, rearrange, re-evaluate why it is that you live with no margin so that you can begin to be with Jesus." [41:56] (Download | )
- "Becoming like Jesus is possible but it's not inevitable. It requires intentional effort, training rather than trying, and a willingness to rearrange our lives around Jesus, our true Rabbi." [48:57] (Download | )
- "Spiritual practices by definition are disciplines based on the lifestyle of Jesus that create time and space for us to access the presence and power of the Spirit that lives in us." [31:21] (Download | )
- "Discipleship spiritual formation is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were me. It's becoming who Jesus would be if he were me." [17:10] (Download | )
- "To be a disciple of Jesus means that you want and that you're committed to being with Jesus, to becoming like Jesus, and to do as Jesus did." [25:44] (Download | )
- "Our growth in Christ, us being formed into the image of Christ, ultimately isn't about us. It's for the sake of others." [04:11] (Download | )
- "We are either becoming someone intentionally or accidentally. We are either becoming someone that we want to be or we are becoming someone that all of the outside forces of life are trying to force us to be." [12:04] (Download | )
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