Theme: Strengthening our Faith
Topic: Modeling Christ
Main Text: John 13:34-35; Philippians 4:9; 1 Peter 5:2-3
Key verse: Philippians 4:9 “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Introduction:
In Acts 11:26, the believers in Antioch were first called “Christians”. This was shortly after the birth of the church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), when the disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit of God. In the days and weeks that followed, they went about preaching the Gospel, baptizing men, doing signs and wonders, just like Jesus did. In Acts 2:44-47, the Bible records that they fellowshipped together and had all things in common, shared their possessions, broke bread from house to house, ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. In other words, they behaved like Christ, which earned them the title “Christians.” Being of one mind and filled with the same Holy Spirit, they all behaved in a way that reflected the life of Christ to the world, and “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
Q1. (1a) Read Galatians 2:20 and Romans 6:6. What is the significance of Jesus Christ living in us? (1b) Read Matthew 5:16. How can the life of Christ we carry be seen and experienced by others? (1c) Read Colossians 3:8-10. In what practical ways can we be an example to fellow believers? How can we shepherd the flock of God as 1 Peter 5:2-3 encourages?
Paragraph 2:
The hallmark of Jesus’s character is love. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus showed His love for others by blessing and serving the poor, the sick and the distressed. He went about doing good (Acts 10:38), had compassion for people (Matthew 9:36), and showed great mercy and kindness (Luke 23:34). In John 13:34-35, Jesus commanded His disciples to love, not the way the world does, but the way that He did and still does. 1 Corinthians 13, popularly called “the love chapter”, provides for us a template of what the love of Jesus looks like. It’s a love that goes the extra mile. A love that involves sacrifice and sometimes, even death. Exhibiting this love is how we show that we are children of God. “Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Q2. Read Matthew 5:43-44; John 8:10-11; John 13:3-5. (2a) What were some of the characteristics Jesus displayed while He lived on earth? (2b) How do these differ from the ways of the world? (2c) What are some of the challenges believers face in trying to model their lives after Jesus?
Paragraph 3:
Daily, our lives are being influenced by the things we see, read, and hear. The more non-spiritual content we take in, the more we are likely to conform to the patterns of this world. But the more we fix our eyes on Jesus and yield ourselves to His control, the more we spend time with Him, the more we learn of Him, the more we see Him do, and the more we share Him with others, the more like Him we become. Men will see Christ in us as our lives increasingly exude the fragrance of Christ. It will be like the Pharisees and religious leaders who regarding Peter and John, “marveled, and realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Q3. (3a) Read Joshua 1:8; Romans 12:2. As a believer, how can you position yourself to be continually influenced by the life of Christ? (3b) Read Philippians 3:17 (TPT) [My beloved friends, imitate my walk with God and follow all those who walk according to the way of life we modeled before you].; 1 Corinthians 11:1 (TPT) [I want you to pattern your lives after me, just as I pattern mine after Christ].Why do you think Paul challenged the believers to imitate him as he imitated Christ? (3c) What are some of the benefits of modeling Christ to others?
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for setting the perfect example for how we ought to live our lives here on earth. Help us daily to imitate Your ways, and to share Your life in us with others. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.