Becoming Like Jesus: Spiritual DisciplinesSample

Becoming Like Jesus

When we enter into a relationship with Jesus, everything changes. Instead of being trapped under the crushing weight of sin, we are held up by the amazing grace of God. And this new relationship starts us on a journey called discipleship.

Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus so we can love God and love others the same way Jesus does.

Discipleship is a process because it doesn’t happen all at once. It happens one decision and one day at a time.

Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus. He’s the one we’re following. He’s the one we are giving our attention to—our Savior King who changes everything! And what we give our attention to ultimately shapes who we become. As we follow Jesus, we become less of who we used to be and more of who we’re meant to be. Our hearts are renovated, our minds are renewed, and our entire lives are transformed by the Spirit of the living God.

Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus so that we can love God. We have been created by God for the purpose of loving Him with all that we are. The kind of love God is looking for goes so far beyond simply believing He’s real or thinking nice things about Him. It’s devoting our entire lives to loving and serving Him—which isn’t actually something we can do on our own. We need help.

Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus so that we can love God and love others. The greatest demonstration of our love for God is the way we love other people. When we choose to sacrifice ourselves for the good of those made in God’s image, we are choosing to show honor to the God whose image we’re made in.

Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus so that we can love God and love others the same way Jesus does. Discipleship begins and ends with Jesus. He’s the author and finisher of our faith. What does all this mean? It means discipleship isn’t about collecting a bunch of Bible facts or impressing people with how “holy” we are. It’s meant to shape us into people who live and love like Jesus does.

None of this happens by accident. It’s something we decide to engage in. And thankfully, there is a time-tested training program modeled by Jesus and handed down through Church history.

The practice of spiritual disciplines: the habits and practices of Jesus that help us become like Jesus. Throughout this Plan, we will show you how practicing the habits of Jesus will help you love God and others like Jesus does.

For now, let’s take a few minutes to set the stage for what following Jesus is really like.

Pray …

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to save me. I’m different because of Him. Help me to never forget Your love and Your grace. Show me how to live for You. I want to make Jesus’ habits my habits so I can grow as a disciple. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read …

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 NIV

Consider …

The world will tell you “the good life” is found when you’re true to yourself, do what makes you happy, and follow your heart. But Jesus says something radically different. He tells us “the good life” is found when we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.

And the thing about following Jesus is that it requires us to actually follow Him. That means going where He goes, doing what He does, trusting what He says, and loving how He loves. Even when it costs you. And it will.

It will cost you a life lived for yourself. If you spend your time, effort, and energy trying to protect your image, status, or stuff, you will miss out on true life—you’ll end up losing it. But if you abandon the pull of those things, die to yourself, and follow Jesus wherever He leads, you’ll discover life to the full—life with Jesus.

Listen …

As you go from this place today, spend a few moments talking to Jesus and reflecting on these questions:

• Have you been living like a disciple of Jesus lately? Going where He goes, doing what He does, trusting what He says, and loving how He loves?
• What’s one area you want to grow in your discipleship to Jesus?
• Is there anything you are holding onto that’s keeping you from going all-in with Jesus? What would it look like to let that part of you die?

As you process these questions, it may be helpful to invite someone who knows you well on the journey, too! They can help you identify blind spots and encourage you when things get hard. Send them the link to this Plan and commit to finishing it together.