Following Jesus by BEING with HIM

Jesus started his great sermon by pronouncing blessings over all kinds of people, sharing a vision for what his followers could be like (salt and light), and offering a new interpretation of the Law and the Prophets. Jesus essentially said - we can be BLESSED no matter our class, position, level of talent, skill, background, family of origin, level of education, physical health, emotional state, relational situation, or any other "qualifier". The Kingdom of God is not based on merit (as in only for the ones who “deserve” it).  Rather, I become SALT and LIGHT as I learn to live in the Kingdom of God. I become a person of influence, flavoring (salt) relationships all around me, and lighting up the places where I live. As I walk with Him in this new Kingdom, I will begin to know what to do with the big challenges I face like lust, anger, divorce, words and communication habits, love for enemies, the place of treasures, my reputation, (especially my religious reputation), judging others, intimacy, choices, and the importance of building my life on The Rock!

For hundreds of years, followers of Jesus have used simple questions in the discipleship process to help them reflect, self-examine and consider their apprenticeship to Jesus. John Wesley, in his well-known “Twenty-Two Holy Questions”, was very targeted and straightforward. These questions are designed to help bring clarity about life in the Kingdom of God and enable us to consider where our life aligns with Jesus' invitations and where it does not align.  

As you process, remember that spiritually reflective exercises should encourage Kingdom awareness and repentance (turning away from things that keep us from living in the Kingdom now), not lead us toward shame and despair. Shame and guilt are different.  Shame is about who I am. Guilt is about what I have done. Acknowledging guilt is a good thing, but there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1).

Over 200 years ago, when Charles and John Wesley were students at Oxford University, they started a small group that met for regular prayer, Bible study, and discipleship. In their private devotions, they’d use these questions to “methodically” examine their spiritual lives to help them be spiritually accountable in the faith and encourage growth in their commitment to Christ.

How might a commitment to this kind of honest examination of your spiritual life sharpen your commitment to Christ? How might this kind of spiritual accountability impact the mission of Christ in the world?

Consider setting aside a morning or afternoon, maybe three to four hours of your Sabbath day, and “methodically” work through these Twenty-Two Holy Questions and see what surfaces in you.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I go to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not like other people?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward, or disregard?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?