In Jesus’ day, his followers were known as “disciples.” They were kind of like students in that they learned information but Jesus also taught them some very important “how to’s.” It was a combination of curiosity meeting on-the-job training. It was an abundant and dynamic life; full of encounters, experiments and exploration as Jesus’ followers became fully immersed in learning how to be like their teacher.
Dallas Willard, a philosophy professor and student of Jesus, writes in his book Renovation of the Heart that, “A disciple is not a person who has things under control, or knows a lot of things. Disciples simply are people who are constantly revising their affairs to carry through on their decision to follow Jesus.”
Jesus’ followers did this by worshiping, studying, and praying. They also walked around with Jesus helping people and they even went to weddings and parties and funerals and celebrations and family suppers. They‘d talk with and care for people from all around and even invite them to come and see what this life with Jesus was like.
Students Following Jesus
Renovation Groups are The Found’s version of small group Bible studies and they offer a great environment to study, learn and experience what it means to be followers of Jesus at Purdue. Renovation means to renew and restore. We may not actually feel like we need to be restored. After all, what are we, an old house? No, we’re not, but we are created in God’s image and that image does get a little wear and tear in mental, physical, social and even spiritual sorts of ways. Sometimes things just happen. We brush up against something, we get bruised, or maybe challenged and that incredible and wonderful image of God gets dusty, or even damaged. Disciples are people who are constantly revising their affairs to maintain, guard and polish the image of God in not only ourselves but in life around us. That’s what we mean when we talk about following Jesus. Renovation is an ongoing endeavor and it’s something disciples do together … Renovation groups will get going the first and second week of class.
Praxis is Greek for “acts” and it is also the root of our words “practice” and “practical.”
Brian McLaren, author of Finding Faith, says that a follower of Jesus is a person who lives “in authentic community for the good of the world.” Life following Jesus is not something we do alone. It should be real and genuine and this life together should be a good thing. Not only for ourselves but for everyone (and everything) else God created. Another way to say it might be, “I think I just want to get to know God a little better and get along a little better in this world God created.” Praxis is a time to explore what this means and how it looks and how it feels. Praxis meets on Thursday nights at 8pm. Dress comfortably and be ready to practice. |
