Ever wondered how to be an apprentice to Jesus in today's world? How can we embody his teachings and actions in our everyday lives? Intrigued by the concept of transforming our homes into temples where God's presence dwells? Curious about the transformative power of contemplative prayer and practicing the presence of God? Dive into a journey of spiritual growth, surrender, and transformation as we learn to follow the path of Jesus.

Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did.

Imagine you're Simon, a young fisherman in first-century Israel, living a life that mirrors your father's and his father's before him, under Roman rule. One day, while casting your net with your brother Andrew, you see Jesus, the man everyone is talking about, approaching. With eyes sparkling like stars, he tells you, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." Without hesitation, you drop your nets and follow him. This is the chance of a lifetime.

In Jesus’ time, rabbis were revered spiritual masters whose lives and teachings were their credentials. They traveled from town to town with their disciples, teaching through life experiences rather than formal education. Jesus was no ordinary rabbi; his teachings astonished and amazed crowds everywhere he went.

Following Jesus meant becoming his apprentice. This involved three primary goals: being with Jesus, becoming like him, and doing what he did. Apprenticeship to Jesus is about organizing your life around these goals, learning from him, and embodying his way of life.

Today, many Christians see Jesus as holy, kind, and divine, but not necessarily as a brilliant teacher. This lack of respect for Jesus as a spiritual teacher hinders the process of truly following him. Discipleship is not just about believing in Jesus but also about trusting him to lead you to a fulfilling life.

Jesus' invitation to follow him was open to everyone, regardless of their background. He believed in his disciples before they believed in him. This belief in their potential to become like him and carry on his work was revolutionary.

Imagine a modern scenario where a world-renowned professor offers you a full-ride scholarship to study under him. You would seize the opportunity, just as Simon and Andrew did with Jesus. They weren't the best of the best; they were ordinary people given an extraordinary chance.

Jesus' call to discipleship is about more than just believing in him—it's about reordering your entire life around following him. This journey promises transformation and fulfillment beyond measure. Jesus believes in you, and he invites you to become his apprentice, experiencing life in the kingdom of God and fulfilling your deepest desires. All you have to do is let go of your nets and follow.

Would You Drop Everything to Follow a Modern-Day Jesus?

Years ago, the author, John Comer met Father Rick, an old Jesuit priest who exuded peace. His presence alone could calm Comer's mind and body, making him feel at ease. This made him reflect on how Jesus simply invited his disciples to "come, follow me," fostering a life of being with him.

The essence of apprenticeship to Jesus starts with being with him, much like his call to his disciples. They followed him around, listened to his teachings, and gradually became like him. This progression from being with Jesus to becoming like him, and then doing what he did, is central to the spiritual journey.

Today, we can't physically follow Jesus around, but he promised his followers the Holy Spirit, another advocate to be with us always. This means being with Jesus now involves living in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a person, not an abstract force, and through him, we can experience God's love and presence.

The concept of "abiding" in Jesus, as described in the Bible, means making our home in his presence. It’s about integrating our lives with God's presence, even amidst our daily routines. The question isn't if we are abiding, but what we are abiding in. Our emotional home and sources of solace can shape us, and if rooted in God, they can produce the fruits of the Spirit like love, joy, and peace.

To live this way requires practice and forming new habits. This isn't just for monks and nuns but for everyone in their daily lives. It's about turning our bodies into temples where God's presence dwells. This practice of being with Jesus, often referred to as "the practice of the presence of God," involves constant, conscious communion with him.

Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk, exemplified this by experiencing God's presence even in the chaos of a kitchen. His life showed that prayer and daily tasks could be one seamless act of worship. This practice requires forming new mental habits and retraining our minds to focus on God, which can be challenging in our distraction-filled world.

Dallas Willard emphasizes the importance of keeping God before our minds, suggesting that through habit, our thoughts can constantly return to God. This practice can transform us, making our minds naturally inclined towards God.

Contemplative prayer, which involves gazing at God and experiencing his love, can deeply transform us. Psychologist David Benner found that meditating on God's love increased his ability to love more than decades of effort.

Ultimately, apprenticeship to Jesus is about being with him and experiencing his love. This practice, though it may seem like a waste of time in our busy culture, is the pinnacle of human existence. It's about forming a friendship with Jesus, where prayer becomes the most important and joyful part of our lives.

To start, find your "secret place" as Jesus advised—a quiet, distraction-free environment where you can be alone with God. This practice of solitude and prayer is vital for a spiritual life. It's not about doing more but about simplifying life to focus on being with Jesus. Slowing down and making time for God can lead to a deeper, more fulfilling life with him. Jesus invites us to "come and see" this better way of living.

Embracing Peace: Lessons from Father Rick, Brother Lawrence, and Dallas Willard

A skull sits on Comer's desk, a grim reminder of our inevitable mortality. Inspired by St. Benedict's sixth-century advice to "remind yourself that you are going to die," Comer uses it to keep his focus on what truly matters in life. This practice, once a staple of Christian monks, serves as a daily prompt against wasting our precious time on trivial pursuits. 

Today, many of us are distracted by endless entertainment and the pursuit of success, often ignoring the deeper call to become people of love and character. David Brooks distinguishes between "résumé virtues," like career achievements, and "eulogy virtues," which reflect one's true character and relationships. Living with the reminder of death encourages us to prioritize these eulogy virtues.

Spiritual formation, or becoming like Jesus, isn't just for the religious; it's a universal human process. Everyone undergoes some form of spiritual formation, influenced by genetics, upbringing, habits, and environment. The question isn't whether we're being formed, but into what or whom we are being formed.

The way of Jesus offers a path of intentional spiritual formation. This involves practices like reading Scripture, prayer, and community living, all aimed at transforming us into people of love, as Jesus exemplified. Formation is a slow, ongoing process requiring patience and dedication, much like physical training for a marathon.

Our transformation is also deeply communal. Just as we are adopted into God's family, our spiritual growth happens in the context of community. Whether in large churches or small groups, the key is a culture that fosters growth toward Christlikeness.

True transformation also involves confronting our sin, not just as individual acts but as a condition affecting our whole being. This acknowledgment paves the way for healing and growth. It's a journey that involves not just willpower but surrender to God's grace.

Ultimately, spiritual formation is about becoming people of love, reflecting the nature of God who is love. This journey requires daily, intentional practices and a willingness to open our lives to God's transformative power. It's a lifelong process, but one that promises profound joy and fulfillment as we become more like Jesus.

Can a Skull on Your Desk Transform You into a Person of Love Like Jesus?

Jesus instructed his apprentices to make disciples of all people, emphasizing that a rabbi's goal is to teach and raise disciples to carry on their teachings and way of life. This concept of apprenticeship involves a four-stage training process: observation, participation, practice with guidance, and independent action. Jesus exemplified this with his disciples, who continued his work after his ascension, performing miracles and spreading his teachings.

In our modern context, apprenticeship to Jesus means striving to live as he would if he were in our shoes, considering our unique circumstances and roles. This involves not only learning about Jesus but also embodying his actions and teachings in everyday life. Children often naturally grasp this by emulating stories of Jesus, but adults may need to rekindle this intuitive response.

The idea of living as Jesus would if he were us highlights the importance of contextualizing his teachings in our current environment. This means asking ourselves how Jesus would handle our specific situations, jobs, and relationships. The ultimate goal is to live in a way that reflects Jesus' life, even if it requires stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing practices like hospitality, community building, and service.

Hospitality, in particular, is a powerful way to make space for the gospel. Jesus often shared meals with people from all walks of life, breaking social boundaries and demonstrating God's inclusive love. This practice can be replicated today by inviting others into our homes and lives, creating a welcoming environment where meaningful conversations and connections can occur.

Preaching the gospel in our culture requires sensitivity and authenticity. It's not about aggressive evangelism but about sharing the good news of Jesus through our actions, relationships, and words. This involves being witnesses to our experiences with Jesus, offering hospitality, and engaging in acts of kindness and justice that reflect God's kingdom.

Ultimately, following Jesus means integrating his teachings into every aspect of our lives, from our work to our interactions with others. It's about living with a heart open to the Spirit's guidance, continually seeking to embody the love, compassion, and justice that Jesus demonstrated. This holistic approach to discipleship transforms not only our lives but also the lives of those we encounter, drawing them closer to the heart of God.

Live Like Jesus: Embodying His Teachings in Modern Life

Dreaming of visiting Japan, Comer realized that dreams need a plan to become reality. This principle applies to spiritual life too. Many have plans for their finances and schedules but lack a plan to be with Jesus and grow spiritually.

A thoughtful, intentional plan for spiritual growth is crucial. John Ortberg emphasizes arranging our days for deep contentment, joy, and confidence with God. This may require rearranging our lives from digital addiction and chronic exhaustion to make space for God to transform us.

The ancient practice of a Rule of Life, a structured schedule and set of practices, helps create space for spiritual growth. Like a trellis supporting a vine, a Rule of Life supports our spiritual journey. It's not about rigid rules but about guiding our lives toward what matters most: God.

A Rule of Life involves spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, and community involvement. These practices transform us from the inside out, helping us become more like Jesus. They are pathways to accessing God's presence and power, enabling us to live and love like Jesus.

Crafting a Rule of Life requires honesty about our current spiritual state and setting realistic, joyful goals. It’s about balancing engagement and abstinence practices to create margin in our lives. Spiritual growth is slow, cumulative, and often monotonous, but consistent practice over time leads to profound transformation.

Ultimately, following Jesus requires centering Him in our lives, making Him the dominant voice. It involves a deep, contemplative life even amidst the busyness of the modern world. This journey will demand sacrifices but promises immense rewards. Embrace the path, and experience the joy and transformation that comes from a life dedicated to following Jesus.

Can John Ortberg's Spiritual Practice Transform Your Life Amidst Digital Chaos?

Do you want to apprentice under Jesus? Not everyone does. Throughout the Gospels, many were drawn to Him, but few committed to a life of discipleship. Following Jesus isn't about converting to a religion; it's about living in the kingdom of God. But why do people turn down this invitation? Often, it's because it requires leaving something behind. For Peter, it was his fishing business. What is it for you?

Jesus' call is to deny yourself and take up your cross, a symbol of death to self. This journey, as Bonhoeffer said, demands a willingness to surrender. The early disciples faced literal martyrdom for their faith. Today, "taking up your cross" means putting to death your self-will. It's a lifelong process of surrender and obedience to Jesus.

This path is counter-cultural in a world that preaches self-actualization. Yet, the paradox of Christian spirituality is that in dying, we truly live; in surrendering our desires, we're fulfilled. Discipleship involves counting the cost of following Jesus versus not following Him. Yes, it will cost you, but not following Jesus costs even more—life with God, peace, joy, and freedom from sin.

Life is hard, with or without God, but discipleship offers meaning and purpose. Jesus taught that losing your life for Him means finding true life. Many who follow their own paths later face crises of regret and lost opportunities. But there's another way: apprenticeship to Jesus, giving up all to gain everything.

Jesus likened this to a man finding treasure and selling everything to buy the field. It's about gaining far more than you give up. True joy, peace, and freedom come from surrendering to Jesus. As Goethe said, "To die and so to grow" is essential to not being a "troubled guest on the dark earth."

Spiritual growth is a journey of falling and getting back up, again and again. Perfection isn't the goal; continuous growth and conversion of life are. To start this journey, immerse yourself daily in the life and teachings of Jesus. Take small steps, do the next right thing, and relax into the process. When you fall, rely on God's mercy to lift you.

Now, the decision is yours. Do you want to practice the Way of Jesus? Begin with one small step, then the next. Who knows where this path will lead? When the journey gets tough, remember to "fall and get up, fall and get up, fall and get up." And begin again.

Apprenticeship to Jesus: The Cost and Reward of True Discipleship

Jesus' invitation to "follow me" was a radical call to leave behind an ordinary life for something extraordinary. Jesus was not just a revered rabbi but a brilliant teacher whose method of teaching through life experiences made a profound impact. Following Jesus meant becoming his apprentice, focusing on being with him, becoming like him, and doing what he did. It required a reorientation of one’s entire life.

Many modern Christians overlook Jesus as a teacher, which hinders true discipleship that goes beyond belief to trusting Jesus to lead to a fulfilling life. He believed in his disciples' potential despite their backgrounds, offering a revolutionary chance to transform and fulfill their deepest desires.

Today, being with Jesus involves living in the presence of the Holy Spirit, making our lives a reflection of God's presence through constant communion. Practices like contemplative prayer and forming habits of focusing on God can transform us deeply. The spiritual journey is about becoming people of love, requiring intentional daily practices and a willingness to open ourselves to God's transformative power.

Jesus' apprenticeship model involved observing, participating, practicing with guidance, and finally, independent action. This holistic discipleship means living out Jesus' teachings in our unique contexts, embracing practices like hospitality and embodying his love in everyday actions. Spiritual growth is a slow, communal process that demands patience, surrender, and confronting our sin.

Creating a Rule of Life can help structure our spiritual growth, supporting our journey like a trellis supports a vine. This involves spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and community to access God's presence and power. Our transformation, though slow and often monotonous, leads to profound change over time.

Following Jesus is a counter-cultural path of self-denial and surrender, promising true life and fulfillment. It’s a journey requiring sacrifices but offering immense rewards, transforming us into people of love and deepening our experience of joy and peace. The decision to follow Jesus involves continuous growth, falling and getting up again, relying on God’s mercy, and taking small, faithful steps in the Way of Jesus.

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