Summary: Maturing in our walk with Jesus is a journey of growing closer to Him, developing a more Christ-like character, and living by His will. This process involves continuous learning, seeking God’s guidance, and allowing Him to transform our lives. It is a matter of experiencing union with God to the point where God is part of every aspect of our lives and mirroring His love for others.   

Many Christians believe that spiritual growth is mostly about learning more information. The truth is, spiritual growth is not just knowing more about Jesus. Spiritual growth is not just doing more for Jesus. Spiritual growth is living more like Jesus. God wants you to look and act like Jesus. “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did” (1 John 2.6). Ephesians 4.13 says, “…measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Romans 8.29 says, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son.…”

God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you the way you are. He wants you to grow up to live just like Jesus. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen automatically or is it instantaneous. 2 Peter 3:18 says: “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….” It takes time to grow; it doesn’t happen quickly. No living thing comes to maturity instantaneously. You can take no shortcut or instant pill to accelerate your spiritual growth. It takes an intentional pursuit, and it’s a continual process to reach maturity in Jesus.

Spiritual maturity requires discipline: 1 Timothy 4:7 says: “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.”  It is through our daily obedience and discipline of working out the principles of our faith that we experience spiritual growth. It starts with surrender.   

We surrender all of life to Jesus by obeying God no matter what. We die to ourselves, die to our agenda and plan for our lives, and submit to God’s. Jesus is on the throne now, and we obey God no matter what happens. We do and say what He would do and say. Surrender is saying, “God, I will give You everything,” and allow Him to change your life.

Your faith and life in Jesus are meant to grow. God works in different people in different ways. Some people grow rapidly, while others grow slowly but steadily. Our focus should not be on comparing ourselves with others, but on comparing ourselves with Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the Bible describe our union with Christ? What are some of the key images or metaphors used to illustrate this? 
2. In what practical ways can you grow in your union with God? What spiritual disciplines can help you deepen this connection? 

Summary:  The illuminative way emphasizes intentional spiritual formation and becoming an apprentice of Jesus. It involves cultivating daily practices and habits that lead to transformation, moving beyond mere belief into a life shaped by Jesus’ way.

In today’s social media culture, it’s easier than ever to follow someone whose teaching we appreciate and value. With the click of a button, we can like, comment on, or share with others what information or understanding we have received.

But there is an enormous chasm between the ease of following someone on social media and following Christ. Following Jesus presents several challenges, including personal sacrifices, external opposition, and the need for constant spiritual growth and self-reflection. Following Jesus can lead to misunderstandings, criticism, or even persecution from those who don’t share the same faith or values. Life as a follower of Christ is not always easy. There can be periods of difficulty, hardship, and suffering that require faith and resilience.

Following Jesus is a commitment to live in alignment with His teachings, values, and example, ultimately seeking to embody His character and mission. It’s a lifelong journey of learning, growing, and transforming into someone more like Him. It starts with illumination. It begins with understanding.

Today, when someone is talking about being a “learner,” they are typically referring to a student. Students, by definition, take instruction, internalize information, and use it for a test or in conversation. But the Bible has a different take on being a “learner,” or disciple. When the Bible speaks of learning or being a disciple, it refers to something closer to apprenticeship. In Jesus’ day, being a disciple of a rabbi was the pinnacle of achievement. It’s what every young boy growing up would want to be. From a young age, they would start memorizing the entire Torah, or what we think of as the Old Testament, in hopes that they would one day be qualified to become a disciple. If they made it through the process and were picked to be discipled by one of the rabbis, they would follow them everywhere they went.

If you were a disciple, the goal was to spend as much time with your rabbi as possible to learn as much of their teaching as possible, and become as much like them as possible. They had to walk where they walked, do what they did, and teach like they taught. They were being equipped to be a rabbi on their own one day. They were in training as an apprentice. That’s much different than classroom learning as we think of it today.

So when Jesus called someone to be His disciple, He was calling them in that context, with that cultural understanding. Following Jesus does not mean sitting in a classroom and memorizing information. Following Jesus means walking where He walks, doing what He did, and teaching what He taught. Disciples of Jesus are not supposed to learn information simply; they are supposed to apply information to their lives in a way that leads to understanding and transformation.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does following Jesus require a personal cost, and how do we calculate that cost? 
2. In what ways does following Jesus require a total commitment, similar to how we commit to other important things in life? 
3. How does the idea that Jesus came for everyone, including those we find difficult to love, affect our understanding of following Him? 

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” This verse underscores the importance of God’s Word in guiding us toward purity.” – Psalm 119:9.    Ezekiel 36:25–27

In the TV series Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe apprentices himself to people who perform dangerous or disgusting jobs, ranging from rattlesnake catchers and zoo cleaners to road-kill collectors. Mike performs difficult, strange, disgusting, or messy occupational duties alongside the job’s current employees. When asked about the worst of the dirty jobs, Mike said one of them is a sewer inspector. “Aside from sloshing through a sea of human waste, the inspectors encounter, among other things, roaches the size of thumbs and rats the size of bread loaves. Mike said, “It’s hot, dirty, and too smelly to describe.” After that experience, cleaning your skin and mind takes a lot of work.

God views righteousness through the lens of His perfect, unwavering standards. Our righteousness is like the filthy rages that Mike sees in the sewers. Isaiah 64:5-8 says, “You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us, for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins. And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.”

Our hearts need daily cleansing. We must ask God for forgiveness for the day’s mistakes, grumblings, and negative attitudes. Whether harboring bitterness toward a coworker who let us down, losing my temper with our children, or lashing out in response to a Facebook post, we frequently fail to live up to the standard of godliness we strive for as apprentices of Jesus.

Over and over, the Bible describes how to receive cleansing from God through the saving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).

The purgative way is the first of three stages in the spiritual life, focusing on cleansing the soul from sin and its consequences. This stage involves practicing disciplines and the goal is to cultivate a love for God and a willingness to follow His will, with a focus on humility and dependence on God’s grace. As we move through this phase, we develop a disdain for things that go against God’s will. Regularly confessing sins and seeking forgiveness is a crucial part of this stage.

Purgation (cleansing) leads to a deeper connection with God. It’s about intentionally turning away from sin and developing a deeper love for God.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be cleansed in a spiritual sense? 
2. How does the concept of cleansing relate to the work of Jesus Christ? 

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” – Proverbs 2:1-5.

The year was 1488, and a man named Domenico Ghirlandaio was an Italian Renaissance painter in Italy. A young, thirteen-year-old boy became his apprentice.  Ghirlandaio had trained many apprentices, and all learned similarly—by watching and listening closely to him, paying attention to his direction and guidance, copying masterpieces to learn colors and strokes, and learning the ways of the trade. Ghirlandaio’s young thirteen-year-old apprentice, Michelangelo, certainly learned his trade well. He went on to paint the remarkable frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, completed the dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral, carved his famous Pietà and David statues from marble. It all began with a good apprenticeship.

The message of Proverbs 2 is to be an apprentice. It is a call to listen to the voice of truth and learn the standards of how life works in the world created by God, broken by sin, and redeemed by Jesus. It is a call to trust God, pursue truth, and do the work.

Jesus calls His followers to more than a casual or nominal relationship with him. He calls them to be His disciples, or apprentices, learning from Him day in and day out, becoming like Him and able to do everything He commanded. “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). An apprentice soaks up any teaching and learning from the person they are apprenticing under. In the same way, followers of Jesus learn by apprenticing themselves to Jesus. They learn to live their lives as Jesus would live them if He were living their lives as they apprentice themselves to Him and train to be more Christlike.

Apprentices train through practicing spiritual disciplines such as worship, study, prayer, fellowship, solitude, silence, and fasting. Spiritual disciplines work by helping the disciple form new habits that change their character, ultimately resulting in automatic, Christlike responses.

Training for Christlikeness, being saturated with God’s love and grace, and attending to the care of our souls will result in a character that reflects Christ to the world. Choosing to be an apprentice to Christ means being devoted to Him, loving Him, and following Him.

In short, becoming an apprentice of Jesus, or discipleship, is a journey of learning and growing like Jesus, not just believing in Him. It’s becoming like him through daily practices, spiritual disciplines, and intentional living. This involves being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing as He did.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is the concept of apprenticeship new to you?
2. Why is an apprenticeship important? How is it useful?  

Summary: This devotional explores the idea that recognizing and accepting our limitations can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and God, ultimately fostering humility and reliance on His grace. By acknowledging our human frailties, we can learn to depend on God’s strength and find a renewed appreciation for His limitless love and provision.

We all have limitations. That’s part of being human. Society encourages you to transcend your limitations—to break down or leap over barriers to get where you are trying to go. But the whole gospel of “you can do anything” and “transcend your limitations” is usually false.

We face limits in our bodies, minds, and jobs every day. We experience roadblocks in our relationships. We reach the end of our talents.  And we regularly run into limitations of our character in those temptations we can’t seem to resist. Limitations, though often seen as obstacles, can be part of God’s plan and lead to a deeper relationship with Him. By embracing our limitations and recognizing them as an invitation to rely on God’s strength, we can experience a richer, more fulfilling life.

These trials and limitations we face each day can prompt us to draw closer to our heavenly Father. When we practice the way we mature and become more like Jesus, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 sums it up nicely: “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.”

This passage encourages us as we walk through life’s trials and struggle against the limitations that seemingly hold us back. Daily surrender to the Lord’s plan as we walk through our days will help us follow Jesus and stay on the path He lays before us, even if it looks different than what we expected and we don’t feel up to the task.

These verses tell us that our limitations have become His invitation. I Chronicles 16:11 says, “Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” and Psalm 73:26 adds, “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Jesus is asking us to invite Him into our limitations. They don’t have to be something to cover up or conquer, but are an invitation into deeper fellowship with the God who understands and loves us.

Discussion Questions:

1. What limitations prevent you from achieving or becoming?  
2. What lesson or truth might God be trying to teach me through this limitation? 
3. Limitations can bring us closer to God: agree or disagree, and why?

Summary: Cultivating a deeper relationship with God through regular prayer and reflection is critical to following Jesus. Prayer is a conversation, a way to connect with God’s presence, and a means of experiencing His power and guidance.

Passion, that strong and driving enthusiasm for a particular activity or interest, is a powerful force in life, helping us to find purpose, motivation, and overall well-being. It can be the spark that ignites a career, fuels a hobby, or even motivates a lifestyle change. Passion provides the energy, focus, and drive necessary to overcome challenges, persist through difficult times, and stay focused on your goals.

As Christians, we should have a passion for prayer. Having a passion for prayer means experiencing a strong desire and enthusiasm for engaging in the practice of prayer and viewing it as a significant and fulfilling act of communication with God.

For some, passion and prayer come together in the form of “bold” requests: requesting divine intervention and believing that God can and will intervene in the regular course of the world that would not (or could not) have occurred otherwise. In other words, a miracle. We look out over our cities, over the continents of this world, and we ask God to do something only He can do. Or we ask God to quadruple the size of the church this year. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a need, looking ahead, and praying big. God sized prayers are a good thing. But among the God-sized prayers, there should be an internal focus on our relationship with God and our desire to improve our relationship with Him continually.

Found within the Psalms is a rich collection of heartfelt expressions to God, ranging from praise and joy to lament and plea for help. They offer a diverse vocabulary for prayer, helping individuals connect with God in various circumstances.  Psalm 63:1-8 says, “God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live,  lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper,  I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.”

This passage expresses David’s intense longing for God, comparing his desire for God to a thirst for water in a desert. He describes his need to experience God’s presence, power, and glory. He finds satisfaction in God’s love and praise, and trusts in God’s protection and guidance. He expresses the satisfaction he finds in praising God and remembering God’s goodness. David’s response wasn’t to withdraw and pull away from God amid trials. His response was to draw nearer to the God who was always there, right by his side. It was to remember His love and faithfulness and lift up praise.

Having a passion for prayer may be simply spending more time in prayer. Maybe it means cranking up a worship song and singing praises to Him. Perhaps it means sharing with a friend God’s faithfulness in your life. All it requires is passion and commitment to connecting and communicating with God.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can I incorporate prayer into my daily routine, making it a regular part of my life rather than just something I do on Sundays? 
2. What specific changes can I make this week to prioritize seeking God through prayer? 
3. How can I overcome the obstacles currently hindering my prayer life, such as distractions, a busy schedule, or feelings of unworthiness? 

 “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” ― Psalm 27:14.

Most of us struggle with impatience. We have all experienced choosing the wrong line at a store. You arrive at the checkouts and see that one line is much longer than the other, so you join the shorter one. But, before long, the people in the bigger line zoom past you, and you’ve barely moved towards the exit. Even though it’s a 50/50 chance, we always seem to choose the slower line. You probably remember times when you were impatient with God. We tend to resist anything that causes us to wait. This is especially true today, for we have been accustomed to instant gratification.

Impatience is a part of who we are, and as a result of that, ultimately at the bottom of impatience with people and circumstances can be impatience with God, because we do believe that He does control the events in life, and He lets us choose the wrong line amongst other things.

God wants us to rid ourselves of impatience, and it can’t be done unless we learn to wait on God. God is telling us to idle our motors when we want to strip our gears. And God says, “Wait patiently for the LORD.” But we’re not very good at waiting, we prefer the human timetable when we should be fitting into God’s timetable. Learning to trust God’s timing in our lives is one of the most important lessons we can learn when following Jesus. God has a timetable for everything that happens “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB).

We often find ourselves in seasons of waiting. We may be waiting for a breakthrough in our careers, for healing, or for an opportunity to open up. It is in these moments of uncertainty and anticipation that our character is refined, and our trust in God deepens. Waiting teaches us patience, perseverance, and the importance of surrendering our desires to God’s perfect plan. It reveals our dependence on Him and invites us to seek His guidance and wisdom. Instead of allowing impatience and frustration to overshadow our purpose, use the waiting period to grow closer to God and cultivate the qualities necessary for effective leadership. It is during the waiting that God often molds us into the person He wants us to be.

We need to remember that God’s timing is impeccable and His ways are higher than ours. Let us seek Him wholeheartedly, trust in His faithfulness, and take comfort in knowing that He is working behind the scenes, orchestrating every detail according to His perfect purpose.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like to wait? What makes waiting so easy or difficult for you?
2. When you think of the word wait in connection to your relationship with God, what comes to mind?
3. When have you had to wait as a part of God’s will in your life? What was the end result of waiting on the Lord? What happened in you?

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2: 6-7.

What Paul is saying in this Colossians passage is that you don’t start with something else and then move on to Jesus. There’s no next step or graduating from Jesus to something else. It starts and ends with Jesus. Paul is reminding us to live in Christ. Not just around Him, not just beside Him, but in Him. Christ is not just another element of our lives or a compartment in them. He should be the central part of every area of our lives. Christ lives in us, and we are to reflect that in everything we do and everywhere we go.

The Bible uses the imagery of tree roots to emphasize the importance of a strong faith foundation, the need to address the root causes of issues, and the potential for growth and resilience when we are deeply connected to God. Our faith is the same way. The deeper we go in our relationship with Christ, the greater our impact becomes. Are we spending time with Him, seeking Him, and His wisdom? Our roots must dig deep into Christ through His Word, worshipping Him, and reflecting His character to those around us.

Each plant thrives in a specific location and environment. And so do we. Certain plants need sun while others do not. But even when planted in the perfect location, root development is critical. Trees need time until their roots spread far enough to support them in heavy winds. Water is essential as well. God has planted or transplanted us, even in some cases, not ideal conditions. The reality is that the deeper our roots are in Jesus and His Word, the stronger we will be when faced with life’s challenges. When we have deep roots, we can weather the storm of change, lies, guilt, or difficulty. Psalm 1:3 says, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”  It takes faith.

Jesus calls us to be rooted in Him.  A life that is rooted in Jesus is a radically different life. It is not about doing extreme things. It is about living life centered on Him. It may seem different or even extreme to the rest of the world, and rightfully so. The teachings of Jesus turned the world upside down: the last become first, and the first end up last. It is the servants who are considered the greatest of all, manifesting the life and love of God.

God is committed to growing His people. He has rooted us in Christ through our salvation and fosters our growth through the Holy Spirit working through His Word.. Paul says in Galatians 4:19,”Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.

The practical application in Colossians 2:6 is to walk in Him in everything. Let this reality transform everything you do, everything you think, everything you desire, everything you say, every decision you make, every interaction you have, do all of it through and with Him.   

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to “walk in Him?” How does this compare to the idea of following Jesus? 
2. What does it mean to be “rooted and built up in Him?”
3. In what areas of your life do you need to be more rooted and built up in Christ? 

Summary: Following Jesus is a lifelong journey that requires consistent effort and practice, not just a one-time decision. It’s about aligning one’s life with His teachings and example, embracing His values, and living a life of discipleship. This involves daily habits of prayer, reflection, and actively choosing to live following His teachings.

Being Christian is not at all natural to us, nor do we achieve being Christian by instinct. Faith and spiritual growth are not passive processes but require intentional effort and active engagement. It emphasizes that becoming a more authentic Christian involves making conscious choices, taking deliberate actions, and pursuing God’s will. Spiritual growth is cultivated through consistent practice and intentional effort.

Our growth in Christ doesn’t come via osmosis, nor is there a passive transfer of God’s character and heart without real practice. Our efforts without practice will be littered with frustrations and failures, starts and stops, like so many New Year’s resolutions. No, we have to allow God to direct our path, to have faith in His leading, to wait upon Him, to surrender and let go of our agenda, exercise faith, to wait on the Holy Spirit for direction. God has a good plan for your life. His will is for you to walk forward, confident in His love, trusting Him to take care of you all along the way. Moving forward means walking toward the purpose God has for us.

In Jeremiah 29:1-11, the prophet Jeremiah speaks to the nation of Israel as they navigate a difficult time. He tells them that while they were waiting for deliverance, they needed to live intentionally, showing up for each day. Even though they didn’t have what they wanted, God still had a mission for them to accomplish, and they needed to practice their faith and trust in God.

The reality is that God doesn’t always provide the answers we want, even though we work hard following Him. It is hard to know when we are face-to-face with trials and troubles. It is in these times that we are called to faithfully live out God’s mission every day by putting our faith into action. We continue practicing the way by caring for our families, loving our neighbors, and participating in a church community. Whether they are large or small, each day we find ways to live on mission for God intentionally.

The Christian journey is not a passive state but a journey of growth and development. This growth involves studying God’s Word, praying regularly, engaging in meaningful conversations with others, and actively living out one’s faith in daily life

Being Christian takes practice.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some practical ways you are or could be practicing the way of God? What hinders your pursuit of God, and what helps you overcome these obstacles? 

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates.

Once you commit your life to Christ, you start the process of becoming more like Jesus. A necessary part of this process is continually taking an honest inventory of our lives to see where we need to seek transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Self-reflection is a powerful tool we can use to grow closer to and encounter God in the inner workings of our hearts and lives. Regular reflection is something that we, as Christians, need to incorporate into our daily lives. Reflecting on who we are, who God is making us to be, how God is working in us, and how God is working around us will allow us to live more fully Christian lives. Christian reflection will help us reorient ourselves toward God. It may not come naturally to some of us, but it is a great spiritual practice that can truly deepen our relationship with God.

We can take an honest look at ourselves and see our weaknesses and our strengths. Reflection also allows us to keep our spiritual things at the forefront of our minds. If we reflect daily on what God is doing and has done in our lives, it makes living in God’s presence much easier for us. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

In this passage, David comes before God to be searched. He knows not the depths of his own heart and sinfulness, and requests that the Lord search the deep things of his heart, so he can process them and grow. We also need to check our spiritual status from time to time. To do that will require guidance from God and intentional self-reflection.

The spiritual practice of soul searching is hard, but the benefits of the discomfort and, yes, even the pain, are so worth it.  It is through recognizing, acknowledging, and releasing these difficult personal things to God that we are drawn closer to Him.  It is here that we discover God has given us a greater purpose: a purpose that revolves around us.  It is here that we learn to live our lives according to God’s design.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you see self-reflection as a spiritual tool? Yes or no, and why?
2. How can we make that tool a part of our lives?