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THE WAY, THE TRUTH,AND THE LIFE. Becoming Like Jesus in Everyday Life - ebook
THE WAY, THE TRUTH,AND THE LIFE. Becoming Like Jesus in Everyday Life - ebook
The Way, the Truth, and the Life is a practical guide to following Jesus in everyday life. It explores how faith can shape your prayers, work, family life, friendships, and choices—even when life feels difficult or uncertain. From the foundations of discipleship to forgiveness, service, peace, and perseverance, each chapter offers Scripture-based reflection, questions, and a concrete exercise. The book also includes a 30-day plan for prayer and Bible reading, along with prayers and other resources you can return to at your own pace. You do not need to have every answer before you begin. This book invites you to take one step at a time and discover what it means to live more like Jesus each day.
Ta publikacja spełnia wymagania dostępności zgodnie z dyrektywą EAA.
| Kategoria: | Poradniki |
| Język: | Angielski |
| Zabezpieczenie: |
Watermark
|
| ISBN: | 9788398337793 |
| Rozmiar pliku: | 2,4 MB |
FRAGMENT KSIĄŻKI
INTRODUCTION
Why This Book?
This book is a practical invitation to walk with Jesus. Faith is not meant to remain a theory or a collection of religious duties. It is meant to become a way of life—in prayer, work, family, friendship, service, and times of hardship.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life—What Does That Mean Today?
Jesus is the Way we can follow, the Truth that sets us free, and the Life that transforms our everyday existence. The successive parts of this book lead from the foundations of discipleship, through practices and relationships, to peace, joy, and perseverance.
Becoming Like Jesus: Not Theory, but Practice
Being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did—these three dimensions shape the rhythm of this book. Each chapter combines explanation, passages from Scripture, questions for reflection, and a concrete exercise.
How Should You Use This Book?
Read it slowly, and move from reading to action. You can work through one chapter each week or return to selected exercises at a pace suited to your circumstances. Consistency matters more than speed.
Who Is This Book For?
This book is for you if you sense that faith can be more than a set of rules. If you truly want to follow Jesus—in prayer, work, family, friendship, and times of trial—you will find clear guidance here to help you move from good intentions toward a life filled with meaning, peace, and closeness to God.
This is not another book that you will simply read and put back on the shelf. It is a practical guide to an extraordinary journey with Jesus—a journey that can transform your perspective, decisions, relationships, and everyday life. Each chapter connects the truth of God’s Word with questions, exercises, and concrete assignments that bring faith to life.
You do not have to be perfect, know every answer, or read everything at once. All you need is an open heart and a willingness to take the next step. Work through the book at your own pace, return to the exercises, and allow every encounter with Jesus to lead you toward genuine transformation. Perhaps one of the most important and beautiful chapters of your life will begin right here.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NRSVue)CHAPTER 1. A DISCIPLE OF JESUS: WHO ARE YOU, AND WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
The Call: Jesus Is Not Looking for Fans, but Followers
Key thought: Jesus did not gather spectators around Himself who admired Him from a distance. He looked for people willing to follow Him every day—in the way they think, speak, and act.
What Do the Gospels Say?
The Gospels reveal a clear pattern in the calling of disciples. Jesus does not publish a general announcement inviting applications. He approaches specific people in the midst of their everyday lives:
• Simon and Andrew (Mark 1:16–18) are fishing by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” They leave their nets and follow Him. • Levi the tax collector (Mark 2:13–14) is sitting at his tax booth, hated by his own people as a collaborator. Jesus says, “Follow me.” Levi gets up and leaves everything behind. • Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15) belongs to a resistance movement opposed to Rome and is filled with anger and political ideas. Jesus calls him alongside a tax collector— two opposite worlds seated at the same table.
Every calling follows a common pattern:
• Jesus takes the initiative—you do not have to wait until you are “ready.” • The invitation is specific: “Follow me,” not merely a general idea. • The response is immediate—the disciples leave their nets, booths, and plans behind. • They receive a new identity—fishermen, tax collectors, and revolutionaries become disciples.
Why Does This Matter Today?
Contemporary culture promotes the model of the “fan”:
• A fan of Jesus goes to church, has a cross on their phone, and listens to Christian playlists, but lives no differently from people who are not Christians. • A fan gets involved when it is convenient but does not change their priorities. • A fan of Jesus consumes religious content but does not become a follower.
A disciple of Jesus is different:
• A disciple changes their way of life—prayer, Scripture, community, and service become priorities. • A disciple makes decisions according to the will of Jesus, even when doing so comes at a cost. • A disciple treats relationships, work, and finances as areas in which to follow Jesus.
Illustration: Spectator vs. Player
Picture a stadium. A spectator sits in the stands, cheers, and shouts, but never runs onto the field. A player is out on the field, sweating, taking risks, and playing the game.
A fan of Jesus is a spectator. A disciple of Jesus is a player.
Questions for Reflection
• Do I tend to admire Jesus from a distance, like a spectator, or do I follow Him in everyday life, like a player? • What in my life says, “I am a fan”? For example, going to church only on Sundays or praying only in a crisis. • What in my life says, “I am a disciple”? For example, daily prayer, service, or forgiveness. • Where is Jesus inviting me to take a specific step in following Him this month? For example, beginning to read Scripture, apologizing to someone, or beginning to serve.
Exercise: “My Declaration of Discipleship”
Write it in your own words—one or two paragraphs, approximately 150–200 words. You may use this template:
“My name is ______. I am a disciple of Jesus. This means that ______. I want to follow Him in ______. This month, I specifically resolve to ______.”
Example:
“My name is Piotr. I am a disciple of Jesus. This means that every day I try to listen to His Word, pray, seek His will in my decisions, and treat people as He would treat them. I want to follow Him in my work, in my marriage, and in my relationships with my children. This month, I
specifically resolve to spend fifteen minutes with the Bible and in prayer every morning, meet once a week with someone from my community for a spiritual conversation, and stop complaining at work, replacing it with silent prayer.”
Save this declaration on your phone or print it and hang it somewhere visible. Read it every day for seven days.
Christian Identity: A Son or Daughter of God
Key thought: Before you begin doing anything for God, you need to know who you are in God. Identity comes before action. If you do not know that you are a beloved child, you will try to earn approval instead of responding to love with love.
Biblical Foundations
The New Testament repeatedly speaks about your identity in Christ:
• 1 John 3:1 says that the Father has given us such great love that we are called children of God—and that is what we truly are. This is not a metaphor; it is reality. • Romans 8:15 says that you did not receive a spirit of slavery that would make you afraid again, but a Spirit of adoption through whom you cry, “Abba! Father!” The Holy Spirit gives you the inner assurance that you are God’s child. • Ephesians 1:4–6 says that God chose you “before the foundation of the world” to be holy and blameless before
Him in love. This was not a last-minute decision; it is part of His eternal plan. • At Jesus’ baptism, the Father says, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). In Christ, He also tells you that you are loved.
Practical Consequences
When you understand that you are a child of God, everything changes:
• You do not have to earn love—you already have it. Prayer is not about checking off a religious duty; it is a conversation with the Father. • Your worth does not depend on results. A promotion, a failure, or someone else’s opinion does not define who you are. • You can stop trying to prove yourself. You do not have to be the best, the wealthiest, or the most spiritual. • You respond to love with love. Obedience does not arise from fear, but from gratitude.
Illustration: A Child at Home
Picture a child at home. The child does not have to clean in order to earn the right to be part of the family; they already belong. The child helps clean because they love their parents and want to cooperate with them.
When the child falls, the parents do not say, “You are no longer our child.” They embrace the child and help them back up.
God does the same. Your failures do not take away your identity as His child.
Questions for Reflection
• In difficult moments, how often do you think of yourself as a child of God—when you fail, when someone rejects you, or when you make a mistake? • What in your life says, “I have to earn it”? This may concern work, spirituality, or relationships. • What in your life says, “I am already loved”? For example, praying with gratitude or resting without guilt. • What lie about yourself do you hear most often in your mind? “You are not good enough”? “God is angry”? “You must do more”?
Exercise: “A Letter from the Father”
Write a one-page letter to yourself as though God the Father were writing it. Begin with:
“My beloved child, ______ ...”
Use three or four passages from Scripture about God’s love. Examples:
• 1 John 3:1: “See what love I have given you: you are called My child, and that is what you are.” • Romans 8:15: “I did not give you a spirit of slavery so that you would be afraid. I gave you the Spirit through whom you can cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” • Isaiah 43:1–4: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. You are precious in My sight, and I love you.”
• Ephesians 1:4–6: “I chose you before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Me in love. Through Jesus, I adopted you as My son or daughter.”
End with these words of encouragement:
“I am with you. You can trust Me. I love you unconditionally. Your Father.”
Read this letter every day for seven days—morning or evening. You can also record it and listen to it.
A Disciple’s Attitude: Openness, Obedience, and Trust
Key thought: A disciple is not someone who knows everything, but someone who wants to learn and is willing to trust the Master even without understanding everything. Attitude matters more than knowledge.
The Three Pillars of a Disciple’s Attitude
Openness—a Willingness to Learn
Wisdom begins with admitting, “I do not know everything. I want to grow.”
Proverbs 3:13 calls those who find wisdom and gain understanding happy. Proverbs 11:2 teaches that disgrace follows pride, while wisdom is found among the humble.
A disciple admits ignorance, mistakes, and weakness. A disciple listens to sermons, reads books, talks with more mature believers, and also listens for the Spirit in silence.
Gospel example: Nicodemus (John 3) came to Jesus at night, asked a question, and admitted that he did not understand. Jesus did not ridicule him but revealed the truth about being born of the Spirit.
Obedience—Taking Action
Knowledge without action is an illusion.
In Luke 6:46, Jesus asks why people call Him “Lord, Lord,” yet do not do what He tells them. In John 14:15, He says that those who love Him will keep His commandments.
Obedience is not blind. It is trusting that the Master knows better. It begins with small steps: prayer, an apology, or an act of help.
Gospel example: Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38–42) sat at Jesus’ feet and listened, while Martha rushed around serving. Jesus commended Mary because she had chosen the better part. Listening comes before action.
Trust—A Relationship
A disciple knows that the Master loves and guides them, even when the road is dark.
Proverbs 3:5 calls you to trust in the Lord with all your heart instead of relying on your own understanding. Psalm 23 begins, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Trust grows through experience: “You have already led me out of difficulty once before.” Trust does not mean having no questions; it means deciding to keep going.
Gospel example: Peter on the water (Matthew 14:22–33) stepped out of the boat, began to sink, and cried, “Lord, save
me!” Jesus lifted him up. Peter learned: “When I look at Jesus, I walk. When I look at the waves, I sink.”
Questions for Reflection
• Where in your life do you lack openness? Which area— finances, relationships, or spirituality—is the hardest for you to change? • What specific act of obedience are you postponing? What do you know you should do but have not done—for example, pray, apologize, or serve? • In what situation is it hardest for you to trust God—for example, illness, work, relationships, or finances? • Which of the three—openness, obedience, and trust—is strongest in you? Which is weakest?
Exercise: “A Map of Trust”
Take a sheet of paper and draw a simple timeline. The left side represents your childhood; the right side represents the present.
Mark on the line:
• Three moments when God clearly helped you—for example, through healing, work, a relationship, or inner peace. • One moment when you felt abandoned—for example, through loss, illness, or loneliness.
At each point, write one or two sentences answering:
• “What did I learn about God?” For example: “God is faithful” or “God hears prayer.”
• “What did I learn about myself?” For example: “I am weak, but God lifts me up” or “I need other people.”
End with this prayer:
“Lord, thank You for these moments. Teach me to trust You more. Amen.”
Chapter 1 Summary
Most Important Ideas
• Jesus is looking for followers, not fans. The difference lies in a way of life, not merely in declarations. • Your identity as God’s beloved child is the foundation. You do not have to earn His love; you are already loved. • A disciple’s attitude consists of openness—“I want to learn”; obedience—“I take action”; and trust—“I rely on God.”
Key Verse to Memorize
“If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34, NRSVue)
Copy this verse onto a piece of paper and hang it somewhere visible. Read it every day for a week.
Assignment for This Week
• Each day, read Mark 8:34–38 and pray over it for five to ten minutes. • Write and read “A Letter from the Father” every day for seven days.
• Complete “A Map of Trust” and share it with one trusted person—your spouse, a friend, or a leader.CHAPTER 2. THE WAY OF JESUS: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS?
2.1. The Gospels as a Road Map
Key thought: If you want to walk the way of Jesus, you need to learn about His life from the Gospels. They are not books of abstract theory; they are an account of a real path that you can follow.
How Can You Read the Gospels as a Road Map?
Many Christians read Scripture as a “rule book,” searching for commands and prohibitions. But the Gospels are more than that. They describe the way Jesus lived—a way you can imitate.
Instead of asking only, “What did Jesus say?” ask, “How did Jesus live?”
Pay attention to four areas:
Where Did He Spend Time?
• In solitary places, where He prayed (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). • Among crowds, where He taught and healed (Mark 3:7– 12). • In people’s homes, sharing meals with sinners (Luke 19:1– 10). • In the temple, confronting hypocrisy (Mark 11:15–18).
Whom Did He Meet?
• Sinners, including tax collectors and prostitutes (Luke 15:1 –2; John 8). • Pharisees and leaders, whom He confronted with the truth about hypocrisy (Matthew 23). • The sick and the demon-possessed, whom He healed (Mark 1:32–34). • Friends, including Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11).
What Did He Do?
• He prayed—morning, evening, and throughout the night (Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12). • He taught through parables and sermons (Matthew 5–7). • He healed through touch and through His word (Mark 1:40–42). • He confronted evil, as when He cleansed the temple (Mark 11:15–18).
How Did He Respond?
• With anger at people’s hardness of heart (Mark 3:5). • With tears over Jerusalem and at Lazarus’s tomb (Luke 19:41; John 11:35). • With joy in the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21). • With silence before Pilate (Mark 15:5).
A Simple Tool: Four Questions for Every Gospel Passage
When you read a Gospel passage, such as Mark 1:35–39, ask yourself four questions:
1. What does this passage tell me about Jesus—His character, priorities, and relationship with the Father? 2. What does it tell me about God the Father—His will, heart, and plan? 3. What does it tell me about human beings and about myself—my needs, sins, and desires? 4. How can I put it into practice today through a specific step involving prayer, a decision, or a relationship?
Example: Mark 1:35–39
The passage describes Jesus rising while it was still dark, going to a deserted place to pray, and then leaving to proclaim His message in neighboring towns even though everyone was looking for Him.
About Jesus: He rises early, seeks solitude, prays, and then acts. His priority is first the Father, then the mission.
About God: God is the source of strength. Mission flows from relationship.
About me: People and responsibilities want to hold on to me, just as the crowd wanted to hold on to Jesus. Do I seek God first, or do I immediately rush into my tasks?
Application: Set the alarm thirty minutes earlier and pray before work.
Exercise: “A Week with a Gospel”
For seven days, read one chapter of a Gospel each day. I recommend the Gospel of Mark because it is the shortest and most dynamic:
5. Day 1: Mark 1
6. Day 2: Mark 2 7. Day 3: Mark 3 8. Day 4: Mark 4 9. Day 5: Mark 5 10. Day 6: Mark 6 11. Day 7: Mark 7
Each day, write in a notebook:
• One quality of Jesus that you want to imitate, such as prayerfulness, courage, or gentleness. • One concrete action for that day, such as: “Today I will pray for fifteen minutes in the morning,” “I will apologize to someone,” or “I will help someone in a practical way.”
After seven days, read your notes and summarize what God has been saying to you throughout the week.
2.2. Jesus’ Way of Life: Prayer, Service, Truth, and Love
Key thought: Jesus did not have a separate “spiritual program.” He lived in constant relationship with the Father and with people. His way of life united contemplation and action. He was neither a monk withdrawn in a monastery nor an activist disconnected from God. His life was balanced.
Four Pillars of Jesus’ Way of Life
Prayer—Relationship with the Father
Jesus prayed in many different situations. Prayer was the oxygen of His life:
• In the morning (Mark 1:35), He rose while it was still dark and went to a deserted place to pray. • In the evening (Matthew 14:23), after dismissing the crowd, He went up the mountain alone to pray and remained there when evening came. • Before important decisions (Luke 6:12), He went to the mountain and spent the entire night in prayer to God. Afterward, He chose the Twelve Apostles. • In suffering (Matthew 26:36–44), in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed three times that, if possible, the cup might pass from Him, yet submitted His will to the Father’s.
Prayer was not an addition to His mission; it was the source of His strength. Jesus did not act without prayer.
Service—Living for Others
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve:
• Mark 10:45 says that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. • He touched the sick, including a man with leprosy whom no one else would touch (Mark 1:40–42). • He ate with sinners, including Zacchaeus, a hated tax collector (Luke 19:1–10). • He washed His disciples’ feet—a servant’s task. Though He was their Master, He knelt before them (John 13:1–17).
Jesus did not serve from a position of power, but from a place of humility. He did not wait to be asked. He saw a need and acted.
Truth—Honesty and Courage
Jesus spoke the truth in love. He did not avoid conflict when people’s well-being was at stake:
• He spoke sharply to the Pharisees about their hypocrisy (Matthew 23). • He spoke gently to sinners, inviting them to change, as when He told the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more (John 8). • He patiently explained things to His disciples, teaching that whoever wished to be first must become last and servant of all (Mark 9:33–37).
Jesus’ truth did not wound out of revenge. It healed people of their illusions.
Love—Supernatural Goodness
Jesus’ love did not depend on how people responded:
• He loved the ungrateful. Of ten people healed of leprosy, only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17:11–19). • He loved those who betrayed Him. He washed Judas’s feet to the very end (John 13). • He loved those who were afraid. After Peter denied Him, Jesus restored him (John 21).
Love was the motive behind everything He did.
Questions for Reflection
• Which of these four pillars—prayer, service, truth, and love—is strongest in your life? Why?
• Which is weakest? What holds you back: lack of time for prayer, fear of serving, fear of speaking the truth, or difficulty loving challenging people? • Where is prayer missing from your life—at what time, in what place, and for how long? • Where is service missing from your life? Who needs your help? • Where is truth missing from your life? With whom are you avoiding an honest conversation? • Where is love missing from your life? Whom do you find difficult to love? • What would change if you lived according to Jesus’ way for one week—through prayer, service, truth, and love?
Exercise: “My Week in the Way of Jesus”
Create a simple seven-day plan and list specific actions.
Prayer
• Fifteen minutes in the morning: Scripture and prayer. • Five minutes at midday: a brief prayer at work. • Five minutes in the evening: thanksgiving for the day.
Service
• One specific act for someone each day—for example, helping with groceries, listening, giving someone a ride, or praying for someone.
Truth
• One conversation during the week in which you speak the truth in love—for example, apologizing, admitting a mistake, or telling someone that they hurt you.
Love
• One gesture each day without expecting gratitude—for example, helping anonymously, doing something kind for a difficult person, or praying for an enemy.
After the week, summarize what was easy, what was difficult, and what you want to continue.
2.3. Three Dimensions: Being with Jesus, Becoming Like Jesus, and Doing What Jesus Did
Key thought: Following Jesus is not one-dimensional. It has three mutually reinforcing dimensions. If you neglect any one of them, your spiritual life will be crippled.
Being with Jesus—Relationship
This is the foundation. Without a relationship with Jesus, everything else is empty.
Being with Him includes prayer, Scripture, silence, worship, and the sacraments. The goal is to know Him, love Him, listen to Him, and draw life from Him.
Without this dimension, you may remain active but empty, acting in your own strength rather than in the power of the Spirit.
Example: Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42). Martha rushed around serving, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. Relationship comes before action.
Becoming Like Jesus—Character
This is the process of transforming the heart. It is not only about what you do, but about who you are.
The fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22–23 includes love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.
The goal is to have the character of Jesus—to think, feel, and respond as He did. This process does not happen in a week. It unfolds over years of cooperation with the Spirit.
Example: Peter changed from an impulsive, angry fisherman who cut off a servant’s ear (John 18:10) into a patient and gentle leader (1 Peter 3:8–9).
Doing What Jesus Did—Action
Action is the fruit of relationship and transformation. Faith without works is dead.
Imitating Jesus in action includes service, forgiveness, justice, courage, and evangelization. Action flows from relationship and character: first be with Jesus, then become like Jesus, and then do what Jesus did.
Without action, faith remains theoretical and does not change the world.
Example: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) did more than feel compassion. He took action: he bandaged the wounded man’s injuries, brought him to an inn, and paid for his care.
Illustration: A Tree
Picture a tree:
• The roots represent being with Jesus. They are hidden beneath the ground, but they are essential; without them, the tree will wither. • The trunk and branches represent becoming like Jesus— character, what you see when you look at the tree. • The fruit represents doing what Jesus did—the actions through which the tree gives something to others.
If you care only about the fruit—action—but ignore the roots —relationship—the tree will wither. If you care only about the roots but produce no fruit, the tree is useless. You need all three dimensions.
Questions for Reflection
• Which dimension dominates your life: relationship, character, or action? • Which dimension is most neglected? Perhaps you pray but do not act; you act but have no time for prayer; or you are kind but lack a deep relationship with God. • What would change if you brought these three areas into balance—for example, through more prayer, more service, or more work on your character? • Which dimension do you think is most important to God? All are important, but relationship is the foundation.
Exercise: “Diagnosing the Three Dimensions”
Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 means very weak and 10 means very strong:
• Being with Jesus—relationship: ___ • Becoming like Jesus—character: ___ • Doing what Jesus did—action: ___
For each dimension, write down:
• One strength. • One weakness. • One specific step for the coming month.
Example:
Being with Jesus—relationship: ___
• Strength: I attend church on Sundays. • Weakness: I do not pray every day. • Step: I will spend fifteen minutes in prayer every morning.
Becoming like Jesus—character: ___
• Strength: I try to be kind. • Weakness: I lose my temper. • Step: When I feel angry, I will take three slow breaths and pray, “Lord, teach me Your peace.”
Doing what Jesus did—action: ___
• Strength: I serve in my parish. • Weakness: I do not share the Gospel. • Step: I will pray for three people and make an effort to know them better.
After one month, return to these ratings and evaluate yourself again.
2.4. Chapter 2 Summary
Most Important Ideas
• The Gospels are a road map. Read them to learn and follow Jesus’ way of life, not merely as a collection of rules. • Jesus’ way of life rests on prayer, service, truth, and love.
• Discipleship has three dimensions: being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. All three are necessary, with relationship as the foundation.
Key Verse to Memorize
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Copy this verse onto a piece of paper and display it somewhere visible. Read it every day for a week.
Assignment for This Week
• Read one chapter of the Gospel of Mark each day for seven days. • Complete “My Week in the Way of Jesus.” • Complete “Diagnosing the Three Dimensions.”CHAPTER 3. THE TRUTH THAT SETS YOU FREE
The Truth About God, Yourself, and the World
Key thought: Freedom begins with truth. Wherever a lie governs your life, you are enslaved. Truth hurts, but it heals.
Three Levels of Truth
The Truth About God
Who is God? What are His intentions toward you?
Biblical truth
• God is Father—He loves you, cares for you, and guides you (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:15). • God is love—He is not angry or harsh, waiting for you to make a mistake (1 John 4:8). • God is faithful—He does not change His mind about you, even when you fall (2 Timothy 2:13). • God is just—He hates sin, but loves the sinner (Romans 3:23–24).
Common lies
• “God is harsh. He waits for you to sin so He can punish you.” • “God does not listen to me. My prayers are like talking to a wall.” • “God is far away. He does not care about me; I am too insignificant.”
• “God demands too much. No one can meet His expectations.”
These lies lead to fear, escape, and rebellion.
The Truth About Yourself
Who are you in God? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Biblical truth
Why This Book?
This book is a practical invitation to walk with Jesus. Faith is not meant to remain a theory or a collection of religious duties. It is meant to become a way of life—in prayer, work, family, friendship, service, and times of hardship.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life—What Does That Mean Today?
Jesus is the Way we can follow, the Truth that sets us free, and the Life that transforms our everyday existence. The successive parts of this book lead from the foundations of discipleship, through practices and relationships, to peace, joy, and perseverance.
Becoming Like Jesus: Not Theory, but Practice
Being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did—these three dimensions shape the rhythm of this book. Each chapter combines explanation, passages from Scripture, questions for reflection, and a concrete exercise.
How Should You Use This Book?
Read it slowly, and move from reading to action. You can work through one chapter each week or return to selected exercises at a pace suited to your circumstances. Consistency matters more than speed.
Who Is This Book For?
This book is for you if you sense that faith can be more than a set of rules. If you truly want to follow Jesus—in prayer, work, family, friendship, and times of trial—you will find clear guidance here to help you move from good intentions toward a life filled with meaning, peace, and closeness to God.
This is not another book that you will simply read and put back on the shelf. It is a practical guide to an extraordinary journey with Jesus—a journey that can transform your perspective, decisions, relationships, and everyday life. Each chapter connects the truth of God’s Word with questions, exercises, and concrete assignments that bring faith to life.
You do not have to be perfect, know every answer, or read everything at once. All you need is an open heart and a willingness to take the next step. Work through the book at your own pace, return to the exercises, and allow every encounter with Jesus to lead you toward genuine transformation. Perhaps one of the most important and beautiful chapters of your life will begin right here.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NRSVue)CHAPTER 1. A DISCIPLE OF JESUS: WHO ARE YOU, AND WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
The Call: Jesus Is Not Looking for Fans, but Followers
Key thought: Jesus did not gather spectators around Himself who admired Him from a distance. He looked for people willing to follow Him every day—in the way they think, speak, and act.
What Do the Gospels Say?
The Gospels reveal a clear pattern in the calling of disciples. Jesus does not publish a general announcement inviting applications. He approaches specific people in the midst of their everyday lives:
• Simon and Andrew (Mark 1:16–18) are fishing by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” They leave their nets and follow Him. • Levi the tax collector (Mark 2:13–14) is sitting at his tax booth, hated by his own people as a collaborator. Jesus says, “Follow me.” Levi gets up and leaves everything behind. • Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15) belongs to a resistance movement opposed to Rome and is filled with anger and political ideas. Jesus calls him alongside a tax collector— two opposite worlds seated at the same table.
Every calling follows a common pattern:
• Jesus takes the initiative—you do not have to wait until you are “ready.” • The invitation is specific: “Follow me,” not merely a general idea. • The response is immediate—the disciples leave their nets, booths, and plans behind. • They receive a new identity—fishermen, tax collectors, and revolutionaries become disciples.
Why Does This Matter Today?
Contemporary culture promotes the model of the “fan”:
• A fan of Jesus goes to church, has a cross on their phone, and listens to Christian playlists, but lives no differently from people who are not Christians. • A fan gets involved when it is convenient but does not change their priorities. • A fan of Jesus consumes religious content but does not become a follower.
A disciple of Jesus is different:
• A disciple changes their way of life—prayer, Scripture, community, and service become priorities. • A disciple makes decisions according to the will of Jesus, even when doing so comes at a cost. • A disciple treats relationships, work, and finances as areas in which to follow Jesus.
Illustration: Spectator vs. Player
Picture a stadium. A spectator sits in the stands, cheers, and shouts, but never runs onto the field. A player is out on the field, sweating, taking risks, and playing the game.
A fan of Jesus is a spectator. A disciple of Jesus is a player.
Questions for Reflection
• Do I tend to admire Jesus from a distance, like a spectator, or do I follow Him in everyday life, like a player? • What in my life says, “I am a fan”? For example, going to church only on Sundays or praying only in a crisis. • What in my life says, “I am a disciple”? For example, daily prayer, service, or forgiveness. • Where is Jesus inviting me to take a specific step in following Him this month? For example, beginning to read Scripture, apologizing to someone, or beginning to serve.
Exercise: “My Declaration of Discipleship”
Write it in your own words—one or two paragraphs, approximately 150–200 words. You may use this template:
“My name is ______. I am a disciple of Jesus. This means that ______. I want to follow Him in ______. This month, I specifically resolve to ______.”
Example:
“My name is Piotr. I am a disciple of Jesus. This means that every day I try to listen to His Word, pray, seek His will in my decisions, and treat people as He would treat them. I want to follow Him in my work, in my marriage, and in my relationships with my children. This month, I
specifically resolve to spend fifteen minutes with the Bible and in prayer every morning, meet once a week with someone from my community for a spiritual conversation, and stop complaining at work, replacing it with silent prayer.”
Save this declaration on your phone or print it and hang it somewhere visible. Read it every day for seven days.
Christian Identity: A Son or Daughter of God
Key thought: Before you begin doing anything for God, you need to know who you are in God. Identity comes before action. If you do not know that you are a beloved child, you will try to earn approval instead of responding to love with love.
Biblical Foundations
The New Testament repeatedly speaks about your identity in Christ:
• 1 John 3:1 says that the Father has given us such great love that we are called children of God—and that is what we truly are. This is not a metaphor; it is reality. • Romans 8:15 says that you did not receive a spirit of slavery that would make you afraid again, but a Spirit of adoption through whom you cry, “Abba! Father!” The Holy Spirit gives you the inner assurance that you are God’s child. • Ephesians 1:4–6 says that God chose you “before the foundation of the world” to be holy and blameless before
Him in love. This was not a last-minute decision; it is part of His eternal plan. • At Jesus’ baptism, the Father says, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). In Christ, He also tells you that you are loved.
Practical Consequences
When you understand that you are a child of God, everything changes:
• You do not have to earn love—you already have it. Prayer is not about checking off a religious duty; it is a conversation with the Father. • Your worth does not depend on results. A promotion, a failure, or someone else’s opinion does not define who you are. • You can stop trying to prove yourself. You do not have to be the best, the wealthiest, or the most spiritual. • You respond to love with love. Obedience does not arise from fear, but from gratitude.
Illustration: A Child at Home
Picture a child at home. The child does not have to clean in order to earn the right to be part of the family; they already belong. The child helps clean because they love their parents and want to cooperate with them.
When the child falls, the parents do not say, “You are no longer our child.” They embrace the child and help them back up.
God does the same. Your failures do not take away your identity as His child.
Questions for Reflection
• In difficult moments, how often do you think of yourself as a child of God—when you fail, when someone rejects you, or when you make a mistake? • What in your life says, “I have to earn it”? This may concern work, spirituality, or relationships. • What in your life says, “I am already loved”? For example, praying with gratitude or resting without guilt. • What lie about yourself do you hear most often in your mind? “You are not good enough”? “God is angry”? “You must do more”?
Exercise: “A Letter from the Father”
Write a one-page letter to yourself as though God the Father were writing it. Begin with:
“My beloved child, ______ ...”
Use three or four passages from Scripture about God’s love. Examples:
• 1 John 3:1: “See what love I have given you: you are called My child, and that is what you are.” • Romans 8:15: “I did not give you a spirit of slavery so that you would be afraid. I gave you the Spirit through whom you can cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” • Isaiah 43:1–4: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. You are precious in My sight, and I love you.”
• Ephesians 1:4–6: “I chose you before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Me in love. Through Jesus, I adopted you as My son or daughter.”
End with these words of encouragement:
“I am with you. You can trust Me. I love you unconditionally. Your Father.”
Read this letter every day for seven days—morning or evening. You can also record it and listen to it.
A Disciple’s Attitude: Openness, Obedience, and Trust
Key thought: A disciple is not someone who knows everything, but someone who wants to learn and is willing to trust the Master even without understanding everything. Attitude matters more than knowledge.
The Three Pillars of a Disciple’s Attitude
Openness—a Willingness to Learn
Wisdom begins with admitting, “I do not know everything. I want to grow.”
Proverbs 3:13 calls those who find wisdom and gain understanding happy. Proverbs 11:2 teaches that disgrace follows pride, while wisdom is found among the humble.
A disciple admits ignorance, mistakes, and weakness. A disciple listens to sermons, reads books, talks with more mature believers, and also listens for the Spirit in silence.
Gospel example: Nicodemus (John 3) came to Jesus at night, asked a question, and admitted that he did not understand. Jesus did not ridicule him but revealed the truth about being born of the Spirit.
Obedience—Taking Action
Knowledge without action is an illusion.
In Luke 6:46, Jesus asks why people call Him “Lord, Lord,” yet do not do what He tells them. In John 14:15, He says that those who love Him will keep His commandments.
Obedience is not blind. It is trusting that the Master knows better. It begins with small steps: prayer, an apology, or an act of help.
Gospel example: Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38–42) sat at Jesus’ feet and listened, while Martha rushed around serving. Jesus commended Mary because she had chosen the better part. Listening comes before action.
Trust—A Relationship
A disciple knows that the Master loves and guides them, even when the road is dark.
Proverbs 3:5 calls you to trust in the Lord with all your heart instead of relying on your own understanding. Psalm 23 begins, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Trust grows through experience: “You have already led me out of difficulty once before.” Trust does not mean having no questions; it means deciding to keep going.
Gospel example: Peter on the water (Matthew 14:22–33) stepped out of the boat, began to sink, and cried, “Lord, save
me!” Jesus lifted him up. Peter learned: “When I look at Jesus, I walk. When I look at the waves, I sink.”
Questions for Reflection
• Where in your life do you lack openness? Which area— finances, relationships, or spirituality—is the hardest for you to change? • What specific act of obedience are you postponing? What do you know you should do but have not done—for example, pray, apologize, or serve? • In what situation is it hardest for you to trust God—for example, illness, work, relationships, or finances? • Which of the three—openness, obedience, and trust—is strongest in you? Which is weakest?
Exercise: “A Map of Trust”
Take a sheet of paper and draw a simple timeline. The left side represents your childhood; the right side represents the present.
Mark on the line:
• Three moments when God clearly helped you—for example, through healing, work, a relationship, or inner peace. • One moment when you felt abandoned—for example, through loss, illness, or loneliness.
At each point, write one or two sentences answering:
• “What did I learn about God?” For example: “God is faithful” or “God hears prayer.”
• “What did I learn about myself?” For example: “I am weak, but God lifts me up” or “I need other people.”
End with this prayer:
“Lord, thank You for these moments. Teach me to trust You more. Amen.”
Chapter 1 Summary
Most Important Ideas
• Jesus is looking for followers, not fans. The difference lies in a way of life, not merely in declarations. • Your identity as God’s beloved child is the foundation. You do not have to earn His love; you are already loved. • A disciple’s attitude consists of openness—“I want to learn”; obedience—“I take action”; and trust—“I rely on God.”
Key Verse to Memorize
“If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34, NRSVue)
Copy this verse onto a piece of paper and hang it somewhere visible. Read it every day for a week.
Assignment for This Week
• Each day, read Mark 8:34–38 and pray over it for five to ten minutes. • Write and read “A Letter from the Father” every day for seven days.
• Complete “A Map of Trust” and share it with one trusted person—your spouse, a friend, or a leader.CHAPTER 2. THE WAY OF JESUS: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS?
2.1. The Gospels as a Road Map
Key thought: If you want to walk the way of Jesus, you need to learn about His life from the Gospels. They are not books of abstract theory; they are an account of a real path that you can follow.
How Can You Read the Gospels as a Road Map?
Many Christians read Scripture as a “rule book,” searching for commands and prohibitions. But the Gospels are more than that. They describe the way Jesus lived—a way you can imitate.
Instead of asking only, “What did Jesus say?” ask, “How did Jesus live?”
Pay attention to four areas:
Where Did He Spend Time?
• In solitary places, where He prayed (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). • Among crowds, where He taught and healed (Mark 3:7– 12). • In people’s homes, sharing meals with sinners (Luke 19:1– 10). • In the temple, confronting hypocrisy (Mark 11:15–18).
Whom Did He Meet?
• Sinners, including tax collectors and prostitutes (Luke 15:1 –2; John 8). • Pharisees and leaders, whom He confronted with the truth about hypocrisy (Matthew 23). • The sick and the demon-possessed, whom He healed (Mark 1:32–34). • Friends, including Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11).
What Did He Do?
• He prayed—morning, evening, and throughout the night (Mark 1:35; Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12). • He taught through parables and sermons (Matthew 5–7). • He healed through touch and through His word (Mark 1:40–42). • He confronted evil, as when He cleansed the temple (Mark 11:15–18).
How Did He Respond?
• With anger at people’s hardness of heart (Mark 3:5). • With tears over Jerusalem and at Lazarus’s tomb (Luke 19:41; John 11:35). • With joy in the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21). • With silence before Pilate (Mark 15:5).
A Simple Tool: Four Questions for Every Gospel Passage
When you read a Gospel passage, such as Mark 1:35–39, ask yourself four questions:
1. What does this passage tell me about Jesus—His character, priorities, and relationship with the Father? 2. What does it tell me about God the Father—His will, heart, and plan? 3. What does it tell me about human beings and about myself—my needs, sins, and desires? 4. How can I put it into practice today through a specific step involving prayer, a decision, or a relationship?
Example: Mark 1:35–39
The passage describes Jesus rising while it was still dark, going to a deserted place to pray, and then leaving to proclaim His message in neighboring towns even though everyone was looking for Him.
About Jesus: He rises early, seeks solitude, prays, and then acts. His priority is first the Father, then the mission.
About God: God is the source of strength. Mission flows from relationship.
About me: People and responsibilities want to hold on to me, just as the crowd wanted to hold on to Jesus. Do I seek God first, or do I immediately rush into my tasks?
Application: Set the alarm thirty minutes earlier and pray before work.
Exercise: “A Week with a Gospel”
For seven days, read one chapter of a Gospel each day. I recommend the Gospel of Mark because it is the shortest and most dynamic:
5. Day 1: Mark 1
6. Day 2: Mark 2 7. Day 3: Mark 3 8. Day 4: Mark 4 9. Day 5: Mark 5 10. Day 6: Mark 6 11. Day 7: Mark 7
Each day, write in a notebook:
• One quality of Jesus that you want to imitate, such as prayerfulness, courage, or gentleness. • One concrete action for that day, such as: “Today I will pray for fifteen minutes in the morning,” “I will apologize to someone,” or “I will help someone in a practical way.”
After seven days, read your notes and summarize what God has been saying to you throughout the week.
2.2. Jesus’ Way of Life: Prayer, Service, Truth, and Love
Key thought: Jesus did not have a separate “spiritual program.” He lived in constant relationship with the Father and with people. His way of life united contemplation and action. He was neither a monk withdrawn in a monastery nor an activist disconnected from God. His life was balanced.
Four Pillars of Jesus’ Way of Life
Prayer—Relationship with the Father
Jesus prayed in many different situations. Prayer was the oxygen of His life:
• In the morning (Mark 1:35), He rose while it was still dark and went to a deserted place to pray. • In the evening (Matthew 14:23), after dismissing the crowd, He went up the mountain alone to pray and remained there when evening came. • Before important decisions (Luke 6:12), He went to the mountain and spent the entire night in prayer to God. Afterward, He chose the Twelve Apostles. • In suffering (Matthew 26:36–44), in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed three times that, if possible, the cup might pass from Him, yet submitted His will to the Father’s.
Prayer was not an addition to His mission; it was the source of His strength. Jesus did not act without prayer.
Service—Living for Others
Jesus came not to be served, but to serve:
• Mark 10:45 says that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. • He touched the sick, including a man with leprosy whom no one else would touch (Mark 1:40–42). • He ate with sinners, including Zacchaeus, a hated tax collector (Luke 19:1–10). • He washed His disciples’ feet—a servant’s task. Though He was their Master, He knelt before them (John 13:1–17).
Jesus did not serve from a position of power, but from a place of humility. He did not wait to be asked. He saw a need and acted.
Truth—Honesty and Courage
Jesus spoke the truth in love. He did not avoid conflict when people’s well-being was at stake:
• He spoke sharply to the Pharisees about their hypocrisy (Matthew 23). • He spoke gently to sinners, inviting them to change, as when He told the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more (John 8). • He patiently explained things to His disciples, teaching that whoever wished to be first must become last and servant of all (Mark 9:33–37).
Jesus’ truth did not wound out of revenge. It healed people of their illusions.
Love—Supernatural Goodness
Jesus’ love did not depend on how people responded:
• He loved the ungrateful. Of ten people healed of leprosy, only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17:11–19). • He loved those who betrayed Him. He washed Judas’s feet to the very end (John 13). • He loved those who were afraid. After Peter denied Him, Jesus restored him (John 21).
Love was the motive behind everything He did.
Questions for Reflection
• Which of these four pillars—prayer, service, truth, and love—is strongest in your life? Why?
• Which is weakest? What holds you back: lack of time for prayer, fear of serving, fear of speaking the truth, or difficulty loving challenging people? • Where is prayer missing from your life—at what time, in what place, and for how long? • Where is service missing from your life? Who needs your help? • Where is truth missing from your life? With whom are you avoiding an honest conversation? • Where is love missing from your life? Whom do you find difficult to love? • What would change if you lived according to Jesus’ way for one week—through prayer, service, truth, and love?
Exercise: “My Week in the Way of Jesus”
Create a simple seven-day plan and list specific actions.
Prayer
• Fifteen minutes in the morning: Scripture and prayer. • Five minutes at midday: a brief prayer at work. • Five minutes in the evening: thanksgiving for the day.
Service
• One specific act for someone each day—for example, helping with groceries, listening, giving someone a ride, or praying for someone.
Truth
• One conversation during the week in which you speak the truth in love—for example, apologizing, admitting a mistake, or telling someone that they hurt you.
Love
• One gesture each day without expecting gratitude—for example, helping anonymously, doing something kind for a difficult person, or praying for an enemy.
After the week, summarize what was easy, what was difficult, and what you want to continue.
2.3. Three Dimensions: Being with Jesus, Becoming Like Jesus, and Doing What Jesus Did
Key thought: Following Jesus is not one-dimensional. It has three mutually reinforcing dimensions. If you neglect any one of them, your spiritual life will be crippled.
Being with Jesus—Relationship
This is the foundation. Without a relationship with Jesus, everything else is empty.
Being with Him includes prayer, Scripture, silence, worship, and the sacraments. The goal is to know Him, love Him, listen to Him, and draw life from Him.
Without this dimension, you may remain active but empty, acting in your own strength rather than in the power of the Spirit.
Example: Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42). Martha rushed around serving, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. Relationship comes before action.
Becoming Like Jesus—Character
This is the process of transforming the heart. It is not only about what you do, but about who you are.
The fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22–23 includes love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.
The goal is to have the character of Jesus—to think, feel, and respond as He did. This process does not happen in a week. It unfolds over years of cooperation with the Spirit.
Example: Peter changed from an impulsive, angry fisherman who cut off a servant’s ear (John 18:10) into a patient and gentle leader (1 Peter 3:8–9).
Doing What Jesus Did—Action
Action is the fruit of relationship and transformation. Faith without works is dead.
Imitating Jesus in action includes service, forgiveness, justice, courage, and evangelization. Action flows from relationship and character: first be with Jesus, then become like Jesus, and then do what Jesus did.
Without action, faith remains theoretical and does not change the world.
Example: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) did more than feel compassion. He took action: he bandaged the wounded man’s injuries, brought him to an inn, and paid for his care.
Illustration: A Tree
Picture a tree:
• The roots represent being with Jesus. They are hidden beneath the ground, but they are essential; without them, the tree will wither. • The trunk and branches represent becoming like Jesus— character, what you see when you look at the tree. • The fruit represents doing what Jesus did—the actions through which the tree gives something to others.
If you care only about the fruit—action—but ignore the roots —relationship—the tree will wither. If you care only about the roots but produce no fruit, the tree is useless. You need all three dimensions.
Questions for Reflection
• Which dimension dominates your life: relationship, character, or action? • Which dimension is most neglected? Perhaps you pray but do not act; you act but have no time for prayer; or you are kind but lack a deep relationship with God. • What would change if you brought these three areas into balance—for example, through more prayer, more service, or more work on your character? • Which dimension do you think is most important to God? All are important, but relationship is the foundation.
Exercise: “Diagnosing the Three Dimensions”
Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 means very weak and 10 means very strong:
• Being with Jesus—relationship: ___ • Becoming like Jesus—character: ___ • Doing what Jesus did—action: ___
For each dimension, write down:
• One strength. • One weakness. • One specific step for the coming month.
Example:
Being with Jesus—relationship: ___
• Strength: I attend church on Sundays. • Weakness: I do not pray every day. • Step: I will spend fifteen minutes in prayer every morning.
Becoming like Jesus—character: ___
• Strength: I try to be kind. • Weakness: I lose my temper. • Step: When I feel angry, I will take three slow breaths and pray, “Lord, teach me Your peace.”
Doing what Jesus did—action: ___
• Strength: I serve in my parish. • Weakness: I do not share the Gospel. • Step: I will pray for three people and make an effort to know them better.
After one month, return to these ratings and evaluate yourself again.
2.4. Chapter 2 Summary
Most Important Ideas
• The Gospels are a road map. Read them to learn and follow Jesus’ way of life, not merely as a collection of rules. • Jesus’ way of life rests on prayer, service, truth, and love.
• Discipleship has three dimensions: being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. All three are necessary, with relationship as the foundation.
Key Verse to Memorize
“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Copy this verse onto a piece of paper and display it somewhere visible. Read it every day for a week.
Assignment for This Week
• Read one chapter of the Gospel of Mark each day for seven days. • Complete “My Week in the Way of Jesus.” • Complete “Diagnosing the Three Dimensions.”CHAPTER 3. THE TRUTH THAT SETS YOU FREE
The Truth About God, Yourself, and the World
Key thought: Freedom begins with truth. Wherever a lie governs your life, you are enslaved. Truth hurts, but it heals.
Three Levels of Truth
The Truth About God
Who is God? What are His intentions toward you?
Biblical truth
• God is Father—He loves you, cares for you, and guides you (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:15). • God is love—He is not angry or harsh, waiting for you to make a mistake (1 John 4:8). • God is faithful—He does not change His mind about you, even when you fall (2 Timothy 2:13). • God is just—He hates sin, but loves the sinner (Romans 3:23–24).
Common lies
• “God is harsh. He waits for you to sin so He can punish you.” • “God does not listen to me. My prayers are like talking to a wall.” • “God is far away. He does not care about me; I am too insignificant.”
• “God demands too much. No one can meet His expectations.”
These lies lead to fear, escape, and rebellion.
The Truth About Yourself
Who are you in God? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Biblical truth
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