Episode 119 – Rabbis and Disciples Pt 3: Being Like Jesus

Most of us love the idea of Jesus as Savior. We’re usually less enthusiastic about him being our teacher and reorienting our lives around him. But that’s precisely what it meant to be a disciple. The goal wasn’t to know what the rabbi knew. It was to become who the rabbi was. It meant journeying with him and observing how he spoke, what he noticed, and how he interacted with others. It meant understanding how he made sense of life and then learning to do the same. It’s not the kind of learning that takes place in a classroom. Instead, it takes place on the road and in the experiences of everyday life. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what it means to truly follow Jesus, and you’ll be inspired to follow him more closely in the coming year.

Discussion Questions

  • What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
  • Ask another person who knows you well this question: What are 1 or 2 ways you’ve seen me become more like Jesus? Then share with your group how you felt about what they said.
  • If following Jesus was less about the destination and more about the journey, what’s one thing you’ve learned about Jesus during your journey over the last year?
  • Being covered in the dust of the rabbi was evidence you’d been paying attention and following close on the heels of your rabbi. What kind of evidence do you see in the lives of others that they’re following Jesus closely?
  • How do you feel about the statement, “We hire Jesus as our savior, but we fire him as our teacher?”
  • How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

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6 Comments

  1. Lori Briesemeister December 29, 2020 at 9:48 am - Reply

    I thank God for you & I am so appreciative of your willingness to follow your calling by bringing your awesome teaching discoveries.
    I believe you have answered a question that I had asked a pastor a couple of years ago: Can you believe in Jesus without being a disciple?
    You bring a thought for me to ponder as well. Perhaps WE Can ask to become a disciple, but is there an element of being “chosen”?
    I have been personally exploring what God is asking of me (in my “rewirement” years”) in this time of finishing the race well & I maybe able to clarify my calling even more in that it is about helping people become fully engaged followers of Jesus.

    • Brad Gray February 10, 2021 at 12:04 pm - Reply

      My friend Darren just did a great teaching on Faith and Works, and it really speaks into the nature of what it means to believe and then to live out the way of Jesus in our deeds/works. You access it here if you’re interested.

  2. Wesley H Campbell December 29, 2020 at 2:19 pm - Reply

    Brother Brad, there are times when my Pastor will deliver a sermon that’s so impactful that I’ll tell him ” you punched me in the gut again!”. Today, ” YOU punched me in the gut, AGAIN!”. Thanks Much, my Friend!!!

    • Brad Gray February 10, 2021 at 12:02 pm - Reply

      Haha! I bless God for that, Wesley.

  3. benni July 25, 2023 at 2:57 pm - Reply

    is there a PowerPoint for this to access? thank you

    • Brad Nelson October 9, 2023 at 8:27 am - Reply

      Hi Benni,

      We don’t typically make our keynotes available. Is there a particular image or visual you are looking for?

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