Getting to know Jesus and building a personal relationship with him can be complicated for anyone, whether you grew up in a practicing family or not. If you want to deepen your understanding and follow Christ's example in your life, you can learn what to read, how to shape your life in new and more satisfying ways and how to become part of a new community. Start reading this article for more information.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Change Your Life in the Image of Christ
Step 1. Practice simplicity and humility
Christ and his followers were ordinary men who associated with laborers, lepers, and other people ostracized by society. They lived on the street, often without a fixed abode, and spent most of their time in silent meditation. Certainly you don't have to start living on the street and be an ascetic to follow Jesus, but it is important to know that you don't necessarily have to be considered wealthy, have a certain status or reach certain goals. The less you are surrounded by the insidious traps of the material world, the more you can focus on Jesus' message.
- Take small steps to make things easier. You don't have to give up your life and shut yourself up in a monastery: take a Bible and start studying it. Instead of watching television in the evening, meditate on a particular passage that struck you. Pray for more understanding. Think more and do less.
- A problem common to all Christians, and especially to practitioners of any spiritual tradition, can be arrogance. Followers of Christ should not feel proud of their humility, or brag about their "simple" life. You shouldn't follow Christ, or simplify your life just because it makes you feel better than others. You should do this because it brings you closer to God.
Step 2. Talk more and more openly
Although Jesus communicated cryptically in certain situations, he was a direct and completely honest speaker, as depicted in the Gospel. Speak as if he has nothing to hide and with absolute confidence. With friends, colleagues, family and loved ones, be frank, honest and direct. As a result, your life will simplify itself.
Speaking in code and manipulating others are common attitudes in the workplace, at home and in all interpersonal relationships. Even if you don't agree, express your opinion. People respect honesty
Step 3. Love your neighbor
Find the good in others, embrace it, and cultivate positive relationships with people. Assume that you will be fine in the company of new acquaintances and try to learn as much as possible from others. Spend quality time with people who are different from you, who have different lives and experiences, and who may believe in different things. Listen to them with an open heart and available for discussion.
Step 4. Learn a trade
Before traveling and preaching the gospel, Jesus spent many years in Joseph's workshop, learning the trade of a carpenter. Engaging in a project, a profession or a particular skill can teach you humility and to live in a simpler way. Try to be good at what you do, and dedicate a portion of your life to serving others, Christians and otherwise. Make yourself useful and be trustworthy.
Step 5. Identify and support the less fortunate
Who has no voice in your world? Who is denied a dignified life? What can you do to alleviate the suffering of others? Jesus sought out the marginalized and associated with the poor to share his message and help.
- Expand your mind and empathic skills by spending time with those less fortunate than you. You could volunteer at the soup kitchen, in shelters, or donate your time to other associations that help those in need. Spend time with people, and learn from them. Don't be a tourist in their suffering.
- Charity must not be ostentatious. Go visit your grandmother, surprise. Prepare a dinner for a friend who is having a hard time and have it delivered to them, anonymously. Write letters of support to soldiers abroad on peacekeeping missions and let them know that you think of them.
- Some churches place a lot of weight on donations, missionary work, and other community works. Find a church that fulfills your wishes for faith and charity.
Step 6. Carry your cross
You don't have to be a martyr of the cause to follow Jesus, but you have to fight your own battles. Dedicate yourself to something bigger and more important than you. Fight the good battles wherever you can find them.
- Christian writers and theologians such as St. Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Merton, Barbra Brown Taylor, and many other educated believers have written many texts on the problem of "doubt". No believer escapes him. Christ himself endured 40 days of temptation in the wilderness, plagued by doubts. Christ himself doubted on the cross. You will be weak, you will be tempted and you will know doubt. How you approach and manage these experiences defines you as a person and as a follower of Christ.
- God is a silent burden in the lives of many practicing Christians. Blind devotion doesn't make you a better Christian. Meditate deeply on what you believe in. Think about it constantly. Strive to follow Christ's teachings and make them an integral part of your life.
Part 2 of 4: Joining a Church
Step 1. Find a church that helps you develop your relationship with Christ
For the laity, the tangle of different churches, branches, doctrines and denominations can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of regional doctrines and branches, with varying degrees of formality and complexity. By learning to distinguish between major thought patterns, however, you can begin to explore more specific options and visit local churches to find a community you'd like to be a part of.
- Protestant churches. If you are particularly interested in Christ's teachings and cultivating a relationship with him, but less interested in tradition and formality, you are likely drawn to the Protestant branch of the Church. The most common Protestant denominations, with their practices and messages, include Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Episcopals. Many of these churches are widespread in the United States, along with other lesser known denominations.
- Roman Catholic Church. If you are interested in tradition, rituals and formal ceremonies you may want to explore the Roman Catholic churches in your area. The Catholic religion is the most widespread in Italy. Protestants separated from Catholics in the 16th century due to theological disagreements.
- Eastern Orthodox Churches. If you are primarily interested in traditions and historical links with Christ, the Orthodox Church is the most conservative and serious. Also known as Orthodox Catholicism, this church is widespread mainly in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Russia, and claims to descend directly from the first apostles.
Step 2. Associate with other members
Attend functions at different churches and talk to members. One of the most important aspects of following Jesus and developing a personal relationship with him is sharing this belief and relationship with others. Finding a community of believers like you can bring comfort, a sense of belonging, family and tradition.
- Don't be afraid to visit many churches. Live them. Find out if any ministers or preachers have times when you can meet them and discuss their desire to belong. Ask for help. Churches are usually happy to welcome new members.
- Talk to other church members and leaders about the process of joining them once you decide which one you like. Usually, you need to take short lessons and then get baptized.
Step 3. Baptized
Depending on the church you have chosen to follow, your membership will be sanctioned with a public baptism. The process itself is relatively simple - the pastor will wet your head, and bless you in front of the congregation - but the symbolism and its meaning are of great importance to Christians. This can become a powerful and very strong emotional commitment, a gesture through which you dedicate your life to Jesus. If you want to follow Jesus, baptism is a very important step on your path.
Step 4. Become more than a member of your church
Now you have chosen, you are baptized, and you are an official member of the church. This is a milestone, but your life in Christ has just begun. It's okay to get carried away: go to church twice a week, pray before bed, and read the Bible. But following Jesus is a lifestyle that cannot be replaced by simple gestures without meaning.
Only you can develop a personal relationship and follow Jesus. Spend time reflecting on his teachings. Read a lot and on various topics. Spread the word. Live the challenge of your new life in Christ and let your mind be transformed
Part 3 of 4: Studying the Teachings of Jesus
Step 1. Study the figure of Jesus in the Bible
In the Bible, the story of Jesus is told in the canonical gospels, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These books tell the story of Jesus from different perspectives and with variations in content. According to these gospels, Jesus is the son of God, conceived by the Virgin Mary and born in a manger. He was baptized on the banks of the Jordan by John the Baptist, and later became God's prophet and guide of men. He was crucified on Golgotha, buried and resurrected after three days to ascend to heaven. Christians believe that Christ suffered for the sins of humanity, and that through his sacrifice we can be saved. Most Christian theologians and doctrines divide the life of Christ into five periods:
- Baptism of Christ is narrated in Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3 and John 1. Baptism is important because it marks the beginning of his role as a prophet and teacher.
- The Transfiguration refers to one of the greatest miracles of Christ: his disciples saw him radiated with sacred light on the top of the Mountain of the Transfiguration, after Moses, Elijah and God himself had communicated with him. The episode appears in Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9, while it does not appear in the Gospel of John.
- The Crucifixion it refers to the arrest, torture and execution of Christ. He was arrested in Gethsemane, accused of blasphemy, a crown of thorns was placed on his head, he was frustrated and nailed hands and feet to a wooden cross, on which he died. Christians believe that the crucifixion was an act of voluntary sacrifice for the good and salvation of humanity. The crucifixion is narrated in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19.
- The Resurrection it refers to the return of Christ from the dead, three days after his burial. He appeared for 40 days to his disciples, and during that time his body was no longer subject to the laws of nature. This event is celebrated by Christians on Easter Sunday, and recorded in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20.
- The Ascension refers to an event in which Jesus gathered his disciples on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, and ascended into heaven promising to return and restore the Kingdom of Heaven. The event is recounted in Mark 16 and Luke 24, as in Acts 1 and in the First Book of Timothy in chapter 3.
Step 2. Study what Jesus taught
During his life, Jesus traveled and taught extensively, and his teachings are found in the canonical gospels and other books of the Bible. His teachings are usually in the form of parables or stories, which are often cryptic, poetic, complex and beautiful. The book in which you will find most of his teachings is the Gospel of Matthew. Some of Jesus' most important teachings are:
- The Sermon on the Mount, which appears in Matthew 5-7. It contains the Our Father and the Beatitudes, fundamental parts in terms of theology and beliefs. If you want to know what Jesus and his disciples believed, these are important chapters to read.
- Apostolic Discourse, which appears in Matthew 10. Here the expectations of Christ on the behavior of the disciples are described, instructing them on how to act and pray. It is an important chapter to read in order to learn how to be a good follower of Christ.
- The Parables, which appear periodically in all four Gospels, especially in Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 12-18 and John 15. These are apparently simple stories that contain complex metaphors, and deal with a large number of topics. The most famous parables are those of the "Good Samaritan", the "Yeast" and the "Two Debtors".
- Farewell, which appears in John 14-17. These chapters record the last speech of Jesus to his disciples on the night before his death, after the Last Supper. It is one of the strongest and most exciting passages in the Bible.
- The Speech in the Olive Grove, narrated in Mark 13, Matthew 24 and Luke 21. This is the prophecy made by Christ, which predicts the end of time, a period of great tribulations and describes his return. Interpretations of this prophecy can change significantly.
Step 3. Study the historical figure of Jesus
Jesus, a guide for men of humble origins, appears not only in the Christian Bible, but also in other historical documents and religious traditions. The Roman historians Flavius Joseph and Tacitus spoke of his existence by narrating the first Christians, disciples who gathered and taught immediately after his death. Flavius Joseph described Jesus as a "wise man" and a "learned teacher", and both historians described his execution as an important historical event.
- Born between 2 and 7 BC, in a small village in Galilee called Nazareth, most historians agree that Jesus of Nazareth was a carpenter who had visions and was recognized as a teacher and healer by the community. His baptism and crucifixion are established historical facts.
- Christ also appears in other religious traditions. Islam claims that Jesus is another of Muhammed's prophets, while Hindus consider him one of the incarnations of Vishnu, based on the specific tradition practiced.
Step 4. Bring Christ into your world
One of the most difficult aspects of trying to understand Jesus' teachings is understanding the ancient world described in the Bible. Among the various archaisms, the message can get lost a bit. This makes it important to bring Christ into our world, imagining what He would have to say about your life and the world today. Christ has a lot to say about how the world could and should be, speaking of greed, charity, and above all love.
- Perhaps more than any other figure in history, Jesus' teachings have been decontextualized, misinterpreted and misrepresented. If you want to follow Jesus and reshape your life on the figure of Christ, you must study his figure in the Bible, not through documentaries, leaflets distributed on the street or a preacher's sermons. Go to the source. Study his words. Meditate. Bring them into your life.
- The Bible, which most Christians consider "the word of God," is a fascinating and intricate history document worth studying. She didn't appear out of nowhere. Many hands have touched and modified it. The more you learn about these changes, the closer you will get to the real message of Christ.
Step 5. Develop a personal relationship with Christ through prayer
If you have just begun to study the figure of Christ and want to deepen your understanding and your relationship with him, start praying.
There is no right way to do it: you don't have to do it out loud, but if you feel it is the right thing for you, do it like this. You can look for a prayer book if you prefer the formal ones, but explore meditation and prayer directed to Christ to see how it is. Believe in him, communicate with him and ask questions
Part 4 of 4: Spreading the Word
Step 1. Teach others when you are ready
When you feel more confident and educated enough about your beliefs, share them with others. Don't hide what you believe in, wear it like a tag.
If others don't want to listen or learn, don't let your beliefs come into their own. Too many discussions are the result of a poor predisposition to listening. You don't have to convince someone that you are right, or that they are wrong. Talk about your relationship with Jesus, and what you have learned from your studies. This is the best you can do, and the most honest approach
Step 2. Offer time and resources to the Church
Churches exist and thrive only on small donations from members. Try to share what you have with the church, and take the time for it to grow.
- Invite others to church to make it grow. You don't have to force people, but set the invitation as if it were something fun: "Would you like to come to church with me this weekend? I'd like to have you there.”.
- If you are a craftsman, you may want to devote some of your time to church maintenance. If you are an electrician, for example, it will be one less professional that the congregation will have to pay. If you are able to lead a prayer group, that will be one less thing for the pastor to worry about. Take some responsibility for becoming a stronger member in the church.
Step 3. Travel and make time for missionary work
As you expand your beliefs and strengthen your relationship with Jesus, it is important not to make your lifestyle stagnant. It is easy to think that we have understood everything, that all our problems have been solved. We have Jesus! It is easy to become narrow-minded.
- To avoid falling into habits, step out of your safety zone every now and then. Visit other places, read other types of books, confront counter arguments and other ways of thinking. Become a caring and righteous person in the world.
- Many churches organize mission camps, to build homes or bring other services to the world. You can organize one in your church or join existing ones. It will be a touching experience.
Advice
- Develop a daily prayer routine. Try to pray as soon as you can, both formally and non-formally.
- You can be proud of your faith, but don't force it on others.
- Talk about what you believe with family and friends.
- Donating money to the church is a good way to be charitable.
- Be firm in your beliefs. When you make a mess, ask for forgiveness. Remember that you have an advocate with the Father who intercedes for you every day.
