To receive new Spiritual Practice of the Week articles directly in your inbox, use Subscribe for Updates in the footer of this page.
Main Scripture
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”
—Luke 6:40, NKJV
Jesus describes discipleship as a process of formation. The Greek word translated “disciple,” mathētēs, refers to a learner or student. A disciple learns from a teacher, follows the teacher’s instruction, and over time begins to resemble the teacher in character and conduct.
In Luke 6:40, Jesus says, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” The surrounding passage is part of Jesus’ teaching about how his followers see, judge, speak, and respond to others. He warns against trying to correct another person while ignoring our own faults, and he calls his disciples to become people whose lives reflect what they have learned from him. The images of the blind leading the blind and the speck and the plank show how deeply a teacher can shape the way a disciple sees and responds to others.
The phrase “will be like his teacher” gives us an important picture of Christian growth. The Greek phrase translated “like his teacher” emphasizes resemblance. The result of being fully trained is that the disciple increasingly reflects the teacher. For followers of Jesus, discipleship is meant to shape both what we know and the kind of people we become.
That formation reaches beyond knowledge. We can learn Christian vocabulary, become familiar with Scripture, attend worship, and understand important doctrines while still needing growth in patience, humility, mercy, courage, generosity, self-control, and love. Jesus invites us into a way of life in which what we learn begins to shape who we are.
This does not happen all at once. Formation takes time. A disciple listens, watches, learns, practices, makes mistakes, receives correction, and continues growing. The word translated “perfectly trained” comes from the Greek verb katartizō, which can carry the sense of being equipped, prepared, or brought to maturity. Jesus is describing a process in which the student increasingly reflects the teacher, rather than suggesting sinless perfection.
For Christians, that means paying attention not only to what Jesus taught, but also to the kind of person he is. Jesus was compassionate toward people who were suffering. He showed mercy to sinners. He spoke truth with courage. He welcomed those whom others overlooked. He prayed. He served. He forgave. He obeyed the Father. He remained faithful under pressure. His life gives shape to the kind of people his disciples are becoming.
This week’s spiritual practice is to identify one quality of Jesus that you want God to form more deeply in you.
You might begin by reading a Gospel passage and paying attention to Jesus himself. Notice how he responds to people. Listen to his words. Observe what seems to matter to him. Ask what his actions reveal about him.
Then ask:
Lord, what do you want to form in me as I follow Jesus?
Perhaps you notice his patience with someone who does not understand. Maybe you are struck by his compassion toward a person in need, his willingness to forgive, his courage in speaking truth, or his dependence on the Father in prayer. Stay with one quality rather than trying to address everything at once.
If patience stands out, pay attention to the situations in which you become impatient. If compassion stands out, notice the people you tend to overlook. If humility stands out, consider where pride or defensiveness may be shaping your response. If courage stands out, ask where fear has kept you from doing what is right.
The purpose is to move beyond admiring Jesus and allow his character to become a pattern for our own lives.
This is one of the gifts of spending time in the Gospels. We encounter Jesus in concrete situations. We see him speaking with people, responding to opposition, caring for the vulnerable, teaching his disciples, withdrawing to pray, and moving toward the cross. As we attend carefully to his life, we gain a clearer picture of the teacher we are following.
The Holy Spirit is at work in this process. We do not become like Jesus by our own effort alone. God works within us, shaping our desires and strengthening us to live in ways that reflect Christ. Our role is to remain open, responsive, and willing to practice what we are learning.
As we continue paying attention to Jesus, we begin to notice where our attitudes differ from his. We become more aware of habits that need to change and recognize opportunities to respond with greater mercy, faithfulness, or courage. The question gradually shifts from simply, “What did Jesus teach?” to “How is the life of Jesus shaping the kind of person I am becoming?”
Today in The Dialogue, Dr. Kenneth Hammonds will lead our second session, Becoming a Disciple of Jesus, from Luke 6:40. His teaching invites us to think carefully about what it means to be a learner, follower, and disciple of Jesus Christ.
This week’s practice gives us a way to carry that question into daily life. Whether or not you participate in The Dialogue, Jesus’ words remain an invitation to growth. A disciple learns from the teacher, stays close to the teacher, and over time begins to resemble the teacher.
Try It This Week
Choose one Gospel passage that shows Jesus interacting with others.
You might read a short section from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John and use this simple pattern:
- Read the passage slowly.
- Pay attention to what Jesus says and does.
- Ask, “What does this show me about the character of Jesus?”
- Choose one quality that stands out.
- Ask, “Where does this quality need to grow in me?”
- Look for one opportunity during the day to practice it.
- At the end of the day, reflect on what you noticed.
Return to the same quality throughout the week and ask God to continue forming it in you.
Reflection Question
What quality of Jesus does God seem to be inviting me to reflect more fully in my own life?
A Prayer for the Week
Lord Jesus, I want to become more like you.
Help me know you more deeply as I listen to your words and pay attention to your life. Show me the places where my character still needs to be formed.
Teach me your patience, compassion, humility, courage, faithfulness, mercy, and love. Help me recognize the attitudes and habits that do not reflect your way.
Holy Spirit, work within me. Shape my desires, strengthen my obedience, and help me practice what I am learning.
As I follow Jesus, form his character more fully in me.
Amen.
Closing Thought
Discipleship is a process of becoming. Stay close to Jesus, pay attention to his character, and invite God to form in you what you see in him.
A Note to Readers
The Dialogue meets tonight, Tuesday, August 18.
The Dialogue is an online Bible study and formation community for people who want to grow in Christ through Scripture, spiritual practice, and thoughtful conversation. We meet on the first and third Tuesdays from 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Tonight, Dr. Kenneth Hammonds will lead Session 2, Becoming a Disciple of Jesus, from Luke 6:40. This week’s spiritual practice connects naturally with that theme by inviting us to consider how following Jesus is shaping the people we are becoming.
You can learn more at wholenesspathway.org.
