What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?

In first century Israel, you would regularly see rabbis walking along the road or teaching at your local synagogue. They were revered teachers, not just of the Torah, but of life. Behind the rabbi would be a group of students, called talmidim. This word literally means Student, Disciple, Learner, or Follower. Many scholars argue the best word for disciple in the English language is apprentice.

The goal wasn’t to learn about something, but to become someone.

Kids started at 5 years old at Bet Sefer or The House of the Book. The primary textbook was the Bible. It was an oral culture. By 12 or 13, most students have memorized the Torah.

At that point, most students went home to apprentice in family business or work the family farm; but the best of the best would to a second level of education. It was called Bet Midrash, The House of Learning. By 17 years of age, they would have memorized the Old Testament.

At this point, the vast majority were done. But the best of the best of the best would apprentice under a rabbi.

One’s entire life was organized around three driving goals:
To be WITH your rabbi (Jesus).
To become LIKE your rabbi (Jesus).
To DO as your rabbi (Jesus) did.

These three goals should drive our life today and everyday.

In this third and final week of Peace Beyond Christmas: A Priority Time Series, Karin Conlee
wraps up this series with an important finale. Finding peace beyond Christmas starts with
allowing your heart to attach to God each day, both before and after Christmas. It is often very
practical things that prevent people from growing in their relationship with the Lord. Where do I
start in the Bible? How long should my Priority Time be? What if I don’t understand everything I
read? Karin addresses common barriers and misunderstandings about spending time in the
Word and in prayer, and then uses Matthew 1:22-25 to help every believer see how a few
simple tools can turn familiar passages we often read without expecting real-time application
into meaningful moments with the Lord and into application for our lives today.