Look for patterns.
The DNA of Discipleship: The Jesus Model
Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed.
John 10:40
If you want to learn, look for patterns. A big part of our learning is finding and imitating patterns of the ways to think, be and do. Most of what we learn is caught and not taught. Have you ever noticed how children can walk, talk and laugh like their parents? They were never given lessons to do that. It is quite helpful to observe patterns in Jesus’ life and use these to guide our responses to circumstances: what to think, what to say and what to do. What did Jesus do when he was tired or discouraged? How did he respond to the needy and to the self-satisfied? How did he talk with his disciples and with the religious leaders? How did he use stories and questions? How did he use the Scriptures and prayer? These all provide patterns which we can learn from and imitate in our discipleship.
For Reflection:
- What patterns in Jesus’ life have you observed? (Why did he return to the place where he was baptized?)
- What patterns did you learn from your parents?
Make Life Count:
- What patterns have shaped your life. How do you want to change? What do you wish to keep?
Hungry for More?
- Plot your life in a chart, the highs and the lows, the significant events, and think about your pathway as a learner.
- What helped you and where do you want the pattern to be different?
Observing patterns together…
