Did you know you are a Christian because when Jesus came on earth He chose just twelve disciples however because of twelve disciples who carried the cross to spread the Word of God through the discipleship system today we have 3.2 billion Christians.Hey guys! It’s been a minute since we last spoke! Let me just go on record that this would be my first post of the year and I’m quite stoked about it because I come with such incredible news.I joined a discipleship class quite recently and it has been nothing but pleasant since I started so I figured I’d share what I learn there with you guys here…I mean it wouldn’t be a discipleship class if I didn’t share what I learn with others right?Evangelism or discipleship is the main duty of a Christian (I don’t stand for correction) and there are amalgam of verses in the Bible to support this claim: Matthew 28: 18-20 Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and to earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 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.”Luke 9:23&24 The He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up the cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” You must be the epitome of what you believe in or what you preach, there are no greys allowed in the Kingdom. You must either go all out to be white or stay condemned to the world being black and all tints of black. I have encountered quite a number of people and their attitude to the things of life gave me an immediate cognizance of Jesus. It was then I realised evangelism entailed so many spectra. One could evangelise, save lives or emanate the Spirit of God by his or her lifestyle; one’s actions, the way one speaks, the way one reasons and one’s composure. All these are traits which can be attained by the influence of the Holy Spirit and the blessings they attract showcase what God can do in the life of an individual.. Galatians 5:22&23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things!” The structure of the discipleship class.
Stage 1: Preparatory stageStage 2: Foundation stageStage 3: Growth stageStage 4: Maturity stage
Preparatory stage
Just as today’s quote of the day said; Performance does not precede preparation.

In everything we do as a human beings, basic everyday activities such as eating and bathing require preparation. Moreover, preparation is required before that exam, that drama, that speech and even before the start of our day we prepare for the tasks ahead. Hence there are two ways about the fact that a life long journey of following a path to righteousness wouldn’t require preparation. 1st Peter 2:2&3 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”1st Corinthians 3:2 I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,(NB: milk in this context wasn’t meant literally but figuratively as the Word of God)
The preparatory stage entails what is/are:

1. The meaning Christlikeness
2. The key areas of Christlikeness
3. The importance of Christlikeness
4. God’s standard for every Christian
5. The resources for Christlikeness

1. WHAT IS CHRISTLIKENESS.

Christlikeness is the daily transformation in a believer’s life to conform to the image of Christ Jesus. As Christians we are to ensure that everyday, bit by bit we become like Christ. In the days of Christ where buildings were made of stone, one stone was very crucial. This stone was laid first, and it is to ensure that the building is square and stable. It is the rock upon which the weight of the entire structure rests. It is the cornerstone. This should be the representation of Christ in our lives. Scripture describes Jesus as the “Chief Cornerstone” of our faith. As the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus ensures the stability of the whole system of our salvation. Jesus was and is the only plan of salvation. Ephesians 2:20-22 Together we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through Him you gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.This Scripture creates a picture of a temple of an army of believers in Christ, built by prophets and apostles with Christ as the purpose and ‘Chief Cornerstone’, preaching the gospel to win souls for Christ. Notwithstanding the fact that it is only within this temple that God lives through His Holy Spirit. Hence if one desires a closer walk with God the first step is acknowledging the sacrifice of Christ in his life. Surrendering all unto him physically (heart, mind, eyes and feet) and spiritually to perpetuate His Kingdom.

Which leads us unto our next point; Key Areas Of Christlikeness

1. Our eyes must be fixed on Christ:

Focusing on what you want only requires that you look at it. It must capture your attention and you must yearn for it. You must not want it but you must need it. You need the embrace of Christ so you must watch his every move regardless the crowd you find yourself in just as the woman with the issue of blood did. She never lost sight of Jesus even in the crowd because she knew very well what she wanted and she knew she could find it in Christ. She believed that just by touching the hem of his garment she was going to be healed, that was her faith at work. Scripture says immediately she touched Him she could feel in her body that she had been healed of that terrible condition. Christ stopped and asked who touched His robe. His disciples answered Him contemptuously saying that looking at the crowd around Him and the number of people pressing against Him how could he be asking such a question. But Jesus knew what He was talking about and kept searching until the frightened woman who was trembling at the realisation of what had happened to her came and fell to His knees and confessed to what she had done. Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”It’s amazing what can happen when we keep our eyes fixed on Christ. Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates our faith. Because of he joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding the shame. Now He is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.”
2. Our minds must be fixed on Christ
Hebrews 3:1 “And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest.David understood this point so well that even in times of trouble he knew that his strength, power and riches could get him no where but rather he called unto the name of the Lord. Psalm 43.
3. Our hearts must be fixed on Christ
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.Our heart is the gateway for all things of life. If our heart is corrupted, if we harbour hate, envy, rancour for our fellow human we are only poisoning ourselves and shutting our lives short. Live freely and learn to forgive, creating only room in your heart for Christ.
4. Our feet must walk in the footsteps of Christ
John 13:15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.1st John 2:6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.1st Peter 2:21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example and you must follow in his steps.
It is important to pray for the Lord to order our steps so we don’t find ourselves in places we shouldn’t be at every point in time. That we may walk in the righteousness of Christ for it is only then that we find true peace.
Importance of Christ likeness.
To be continued…
If you made it this far thank you very much. I hope you learnt something and it was very educative and hopefully we’d be fertile soil that the seed shall fall into our hearts and grow.The next update would be next week and we’d be discussing ‘The importance of Christ likeness.’

P.S. All scriptures in today’s text were taken from the New Living Translation (NLT)