Hey guys! This is the third session of the discipleship class. Previous sessions would be linked here for those who are new here. I pray you learn something and you don’t leave here the same as you came, thank you!

First session: DID YOU KNOW?

Second session: IMPORTANCE OF CHRIST LIKENESS

This week we’d be discussing:

God’s standard for every Christian.

1. Standard in character

As Christians our aim is to be like Christ that’s why we’re called ‘Christ-ians’ and hence the whole reason for a discipleship class right? The standard for every Christian is basically a replica of Christ’s character. We are to emulate His life by studying the Scriptures not casually but constantly. Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Notice it says that we must study the word and not to read it because there’s a great disparity between studying something and reading it and we must be consistent in doing it; day and night because it is only then that we can be sure to obey it. It is for this reason it is called a Scripture derived from the Latin word Scriptura so you study the script and act accordingly. This is a natural law which has been propounded by God; success comes with studying the Word. The Scripture is food for the spirt hence the only means by which our spirit can grow and supersede our flesh. We feed the flesh everyday ie breakfast, lunch and supper similarly must we feed our spirit. It is only then that we can expect to live by the standards prescribed for us in the bible to live holy and perfect lives.

1st Peter 1:16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

For years I believed perfection wasn’t attainable. I’d ask myself,”How can a human being be perfect?” However, the Scriptures also says in Matthew 5:48 ;But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.These were Jesus’ own words and He makes it clear to us that perfection is the target, perfection is attainable so what’s our excuse? It also makes it very clear to us that as Christians we have a lot of work to do. There’s so much to live for and sacrifice to attain this height Christ has set for us always remembering Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.

2. Standard in love

John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. This is what Jesus told His disciples on the night of the Last Supper not long after He declared that His time on earth had come to an end in John 13:31 and I feel rather overwhelmed to be typing this on the eve of Jesus’ crucifixion at 11:25 pm probably the exact space of time this event occurred 2021 years ago. I used to think that this commandment wasn’t so difficult to follow until I started to meditate on it and I realised Jesus was literally asking us to love each other like He loved us. Then I began to ask myself how exactly did Jesus love us? I’d tell you how:

Jesus expects us to show this selfless love to others just as He did for us. Sometimes I just sit back and imagine what the world would be like if we loved each other like Christ did us, sigh.

3. Role modelling

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.1st Corinthians 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.Peter and Paul, entreat us to imitate Christ. This is the whole point of this mission, the whole point of discipleship. Walking in the likeness of Christ, emulating His every step even if it means suffering just as Peter said, this is the only point in our lives when true joy can be found. This is indisputable. He is the perfect role model we must look up to.

4. Standard in ministry (Service you render)
John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with my Father.”John 17:18 “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.”John 20:21 Again He said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you.”Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” These verses from the Bible are all commands made by Jesus in His final days on earth all emphasising the same topic; Discipleship. As a matter of fact there is an amalgam of verses where Jesus talks about discipleship. We have to come to cognisance of the fact that this is our main duty as Christians. We must not deprive people the opportunity to feel the love and comfort we feel because of Jesus. We must not be selfish with our knowledge of Christ. There are so many people out there waiting for us to reach out to them with the Word. This is the the defining point of our lives because Luke 15:7 tells us that there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away.
Thank you very much if you made it this far. I hope you learnt something from this week’s class and please continue to follow us in this journey. If you like what you read today please share it with a friend.

The next update would be next week and we’d be discussing ‘Resources for Christlikeness’

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