"Christ-like Curriculum" Part 2

What do I do now? Once you have determined that pursuing Jesus is worth everything there are some practical steps we need to take on this journey together. How do we admire Jesus sufficently?

Ask. We need to ask Jesus emphatically and repeatedly our desire to see him and know him for who he truly is. The heart of the kingdom is "asking" to see God, much like the people in Exodus 3:7-10 "cryed out" to God to be rescued. Jesus is a cry or conversation away. I have never met anyone that has genuinely sought God, and not found him. This is an ongoing process by the way. This may take a few hours, a few quiet times alone, a few days, a few years, probably not that long. Let someone know, a pastor or friend, that this is a genuine desire you have so that they can help you. Jesus wants to be found...

Dwell, Reside, in His Words. Now that you have asked God to show himself, and your desire to be his disciple, you must dwell with his words, in the Bible. John 8:31-32: 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Anyone who holds to the teachings of Jesus is a "true" disciple, and they will be set free. Not a bad deal. You will be set free from the bondadge of sin, death, and empty religion, and be found in the new life of the kingdom of God.

We will dwell and immerse ourselves in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Find a version of the Bible that is readable (The Message, NIV, New Living Translation, Living Bible). We will study, reflect, pray, take notes, ask questions, ask others, listen to teaching in small groups, and public worship gatherings. Our minds need to be re-trained and changed by the word of God. TV and mindless entertainment will not cut it. Only watch enough to realize it is not worth our brain and heart capacity.

Not only will we dwell in the word, we must put it into practice. The word must be lived. We will do this imperfectly at first, it will feel strange, but it will become liberating. Know what the word says, but learn how to live it.

Two more things. Once you have read the Gospels many times, and God begins to teach you and change you. Read some other saints of the past. Mother Teresa, Wesley, Calvin, St. Francis, Augustine, etc. They will inspire us from years past how to be better disciples of Jesus.

Last. Get in a group of people that desire to be disciples of Jesus. You need to walk this in a community of like-minded people. We have many groups like this at CCR.

That is it for now. I will add some more in the coming weeks. I hope this has inspired you to take a next step with Jesus, as his disciple, his apprentice, in the Kingdom of God. Please respond with any questions or comments.