At the Day of Judgement, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how eloquently we have spoken, but how holily we have

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3 \ IMITATION

4 At the Day of Judgement, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how eloquently we have spoken, but how holily we have lived. - Thomas à Kempis

5 Character (thinking and acting that runs through someone) is transformed by three things. First, you have to aim at the right goal. Second, you have to figure out the steps you need to take to get to that goal. Third, those steps have to become habitual, a matter of second nature. - N.T. Wright

6 The aim of the Christian life in the present time- the goal you are meant to be aiming at once you have come to faith, the goal which is within reach even in the present life, anticipating the final life to come - is the life of fully formed, fully flourishing Christian character. - N.T. Wright

7 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

8 1 Cor. 4:16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. Eph. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 1Th. 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 1Th. 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, Heb. 6:12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

9 AIM: Fully formed and flourishing Christian Character. STEPS: Grow in Christ s likeness by imitating God and imitating others.

10 IMITATING GOD Eph. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 1Th. 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord IMITATING OTHERS 1Cor. 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1Th. 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord Phil. 3:17* Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. *συμμιμητής

11 OTHERS WHO SHOW CHRIST S LIKENESS 1Th. 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 1Th. 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

12 SHARE IN HIS SUFFERINGS 2 Cor. 1:5 For as we share abundantly in Christ s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. Phil 3:10 For as we share abundantly in Christ s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 2 Tim. 2:3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

13 \ 1. FAITH AND WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH 2. WITNESS OF THE SAINTS

14 FAITH AND WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH 1Cor. 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1Cor. 11:2 Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

15 Such moral, kingdom reflecting dispositions are inscribed into your character through rhythms and routines and rituals, enacted over and over again, that implant in you a disposition to an end (telos) that becomes a character trait- a sort of learned, second-nature default orientation that you tend toward without thinking about it. - James KA Smith

16 WITNESS OF THE SAINTS Heb. 6:11-12 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

17 Most kind Jesus, grant me Your grace, I pray; let it dwell in me, work in me, and abide in me to the end. Grant me always to will and desire whatever is most pleasing and acceptable to You. Let Your will be mine, and let my will ever follow and be conformed wholly to Your own. Let me ever will and not will in union with Yourself, and be unable to will otherwise than You will or do not will.

18 Grant that I may die to all things in this world, and for Your sake love to be despised and unknown. Grant me, above all else, to rest in You, that my heart may find its peace in You alone; for You are the heart's true peace, its sole abiding place, and outside Yourself all is hard and restless. In this true peace that is in You, the sole, supreme, and eternal Good, I will dwell and take my rest. Amen. - Thomas à Kempis