The Way of Jesus

We are beginning a sermon series called In the Way of Jesus at South Fellowship Church. In this series, we will explore spiritual practices or disciplines. Alex introduced us to the concept of a Rule of Life. The idea of rules often feels repulsive because we associate religion with a list of impossible-to-follow regulations. Who wants the guilt of not living up to those rules hanging over their head?

A Rule of Life is different. These are self-imposed structures and patterns that enable a person to become the kind of human they want to be. Dallas Willard describes spiritual disciplines as “things you do that enable you to do things you cannot do by direct effort.”

Today, this is a simple invitation to explore disciplines in your own life. These are tools for becoming a different kind of person—an invitation to the good life. The first discipline I’ll invite you to consider is studying and becoming passionate about the scriptures.

Take a moment to read this short story about Jesus as a boy. Notice his zeal to study and learn the scriptures:

Luke 2:41

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

Luke 2:49

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Perhaps this year, you too can develop a hunger for the scriptures like Jesus had. Remember, this is Jesus—God become human—and yet he still felt the need to study, discuss, and read the scriptures. Maybe we can learn from his approach to life, too.