Formation starts when we decide that we want to learn from Jesus and to go wherever he is going.
Jesus’ invitation to his first followers was simply, “come and see.” They were given a choice: continue on doing what they’d always done or, walk with Jesus and follow him wherever he was going.
You must decide that Jesus is worth learning from.
His first followers quickly became known as his disciples. To be a disciple, in the first century, was to commit to being taught by a master teacher. One would listen, observe, and imitate the master, the goal being that the disciple would become like the master teacher. This is discipleship.
We must decide that we want to learn from Jesus and to go wherever he is going. But this requires something of us. It requires us to lay down our plans, our money, our lives, everything we do before him and to let him show us how we are to live. We make a commitment to Jesus and ask him, “what needs to be revised? How should I orient my life around what you desire? I want to follow you and live life with you, show me how to do that.”
The best way to learn from anyone is to spend time with them. This was the way the first disciples learned from Jesus. They did everything with him. They ate with him, they walked with him, they talked with him, they went everywhere he went - this is how they learned from him. If you want to learn from Jesus, it’s vital that you spend time with him.
When we genuinely begin to walk with Jesus and intentionally learn from him, we are assured to find the path that leads to becoming like Jesus and living the blessed life that He talks about about in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). The blessed life is the life of one who has been formed inwardly and is marked by a deep abiding intimacy with Jesus.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We offer a variety of practices and guides to help you take the first steps toward spiritual formation with Jesus.
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