Becoming more like Jesus

Seeking to be an authentic community of disciples, becoming more like Jesus - walking in step with God, alongside each other and seeing lives transformed

This week as we continue our series of Friday posts looking in more detail at our Vision we're going to think about what it means to be seeking to be more like Jesus. If you've missed the previous posts simply click on the relevant word above - or use the labels at the bottom of the page.

There was a time, I think it was the 90s, when WWJD wrist bands were all the rage - although I must admit I've seen a lot more of the plastic band type rather than this slightly more sophisticated bracelet. In case the whole phenomenon passed you by WWJD stands for 'What Would Jesus Do?' The thought being that in any situation you ask yourself the question, 'what would Jesus do?' and allow the answer to that question to guide your actions.

Of course this is a fairly easy question to answer if the situation you're faced with is that you're at a wedding and the wine runs out - but it can be more challenging when faced with the multitude of situations that we find ourselves in, and decisions that we have to make, that were totally unknown in first century Judea. What A Levels should I take? Which university should I go to? Should I marry X? Should I take this job? Where should I move?

The first step in knowing WWJD is answering the question WDJD - What Did Jesus Do? If we can't answer that question then we won't be able to answer our first question. And to find out what Jesus did we need to read, and re-read and re-read again the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I know that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) but if any part of the Bible is more important than the rest then surely it is the gospels - the story of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection. This is one reason why our preaching pattern at CBC is to spend one term every year in the gospels.

As we read the gospels we discover what Jesus did. We discover that he spent time alone in prayer, he mixed with the wrong kind of people, he served others, he obeyed God regardless of the personal cost, he provided for people's physical needs, and he called people to repentance and announced the arrival of the Kingdom.

In a few weeks' time we will start to reflect on our seven Core Values and we'll see how these values are shaped by what we know of Jesus. How that seeking to be more like Jesus means being loving, welcoming, missional, servant-hearted, biblical, Spirit-led and prayerful.