This Way of Life

[Thanks to our guest writer for this lesson, Brad Wood.]

Today’s lesson is related to the Mentoring presentation Regi Campbell delivered at the men’s breakfast last Saturday and today’s verse is a command from Jesus about mentoring:

“Jesus, gave his charge: ‘God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life.”

Below is a funny story to explain the difference between acting the part of a Christian and actually living as a Christian:

Max Planck, after he won the Nobel Prize, went around Germany giving the same standard lecture on the new quantum mechanics.

Over time, his chauffeur memorized the lecture and one day said, “Would you mind if I gave the lecture in Munich and you just sat in front wearing my chauffeur’s hat?” Planck said, “Why not?”

After the chauffeur gave this long lecture on quantum mechanics a professor stood up and asked a complicated question.  The chauffeur said, “Well I’m surprised that in an advanced city like Munich I get such an elementary question. In fact, it is so elementary that I’m going to ask my chauffeur to reply.”

This humorous story can be tied back to how we live our lives.  It is easy for us to look and act the part of a “Christian” but in order to actually understand the meaning behind what Christians say and do we must make a genuine commitment.

As Christians we are called to live what Regi Campbell refers to as “this way of life”.  Below are the five things that Regi says following “this way of life” means to him:

• • • God is at the center of everything
    • Don’t worry
    • Be grateful for money, but never forget it all comes from Him
    • The first place I’m to “train in this way of life” is at home
    • Live your life for others

Regi believes that discovering what ‘this way of life’ means is different for everyone.  He says “Decide what ‘this way of life’ means for you. Write it down. Think about it. Pray over it. Talk to your wife about it. Commit yourself to it.”

Taking the time to really dig in and do all of these things is the difference between being a “chauffeur” Christian and committing ourselves to discovering what “this way of life” means for us.  Only then can we understand God’s plan for us and how He wants to move in our lives.

Questions:
1. As Christians, we all agree that it’s important to know WHAT to say but do you believe it is also important to think deeply about the real meaning behind the words we say?

2. Just as Regi listed five things that “this way of life” means to him, what are some things it means to you in your own life?

3. What are some things you can do to better understand and develop your personal “this way of life”?

4. What are some of the benefits that will come from committing the time to better understand “this way of life” for yourself?