Eugene Peterson’s book Eat this Book teaches us to chew on a passage of scripture, digest it, and then put it to use in practical ways. Our Christian fathers and mothers called this process Lectio Divina. In these passages, we learn how God beckons us to be like Jesus. 

Scripture Passages for a Week on Being Like Jesus 

Monday:         Philippians 3: 12-14

Tuesday:         Colossians 2: 6-16

Wednesday:  Colossians 3: 1-17

Thursday:      Hebrews 5: 11-14

Friday:           Matthew  25: 31-46

CHEW

In the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, Adele Ahlberg Calhoun says: “The life of faith can be characterized by a series of stages that lead progressively on toward spiritual maturity.” These stages may be called baby Christians, disciplined followers, responsible shepherds, or seasoned saints.” What stage are you in? In the stage that you are in now, what do you know? Who have you grown to be? What do you do as a disciple of Jesus in this stage of Jesus in this stage of your journey?  

DIGEST

♥   As you read each scripture passage above, make a note of what it tells you about being like Jesus. For example, Philippians 2: 12-14 calls us to have perseverance. We are to continually press on to the goal God has set for us. This goal is variously translated as:

•  “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (KJ);
• “the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus” (MSG); 
• “the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”(NIV);
• “the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (NRSV).  

What do these phrases mean to you?  What are you persevering to become?

♥   Draw or write about the stage of maturity you think you are in.  What verses in the passages above inform your description?  Share your work with a friend, small group, or family member.

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“Everything that happens to us in our Christian lives is the work of the Holy Spirit. We become discontented with our lives and it is the Holy Spirit that nudges us toward Jesus. The Holy Spirit orchestrates the events of our lives with the single aim of making us disciples of Jesus . . . . The Holy Spirit is our unseen teacher who points us to Jesus and reminds us of his words” (James Bryan Smith in The Good and Beautiful God).