What Does It Actually Mean to Live Like Jesus?
By Meridith Curtis
Many Christians admire Jesus.
They study His teachings, sing songs about Him, and gather weekly in His name.
But far fewer believers have been taught how to actually live like Him.
Jesus did not simply come to give us a theology to believe. He came to model a completely different way of life — a life rooted in intimacy with the Father, radical obedience, compassion for people, and the power of the Kingdom of God.
To follow Jesus means more than agreeing with Him.
It means becoming like Him.
Jesus Modeled a Lifestyle
When Jesus called His disciples, He did not hand them a curriculum and send them on their way.
He invited them to walk closely with Him.
They watched how He prayed. How He loved people. How He responded to interruption. How He served. How He preached. How He rested. How He depended fully on the Father.
Discipleship was never merely about information transfer. It was about transformation through relationship and imitation.
Jesus showed His followers what life in the Kingdom actually looked like.
And that life was deeply intentional.
Living Like Jesus in Everyday Life
Sometimes we overcomplicate discipleship, imagining that living like Jesus requires a microphone, a ministry title, or years of Bible training.
But Jesus lived much of His ministry in ordinary places.
At dinner tables. On dusty roads. In homes. By wells. Among crowds. With the forgotten and overlooked.
Living like Jesus today can begin with simple obedience.
- Praying with someone who is hurting.
- Opening your home in hospitality.
- Sharing the gospel with a coworker.
- Making time for prayer instead of constant distraction.
- Discipling younger believers.
- Choosing humility over self-promotion.
- Serving instead of seeking recognition.
The Kingdom of God is often revealed through ordinary people faithfully saying yes to God in everyday moments.
We Learn By Doing
One of the greatest misconceptions in modern Christianity is the belief that spiritual maturity comes mainly through accumulating knowledge.
But Jesus trained His disciples by sending them.
They learned as they obeyed.
And the same is true for us.
You grow in prayer by praying.
You grow in evangelism by sharing your faith.
You grow in hearing God's voice by responding when He speaks.
You grow in compassion by serving people.
You grow in disciple-making by discipling others.
Faith becomes strong when it is exercised.
What We're Learning in Nashville
As our family has stepped into missionary life and launched MTC Nashville, a Missionary Training Center in the heart of Tennessee, we've seen how deeply people are longing for authentic discipleship.
Many believers know Bible stories but have never been shown how to actively live on mission with Jesus in everyday life.
But something changes when believers begin stepping into obedience.
We've watched people discover fresh passion for prayer. We've seen fear give way to boldness. We've watched ordinary believers realize that God truly wants to use them.
Not someday. Right now.
The nations are gathering in cities like Nashville, and we believe God is raising up disciple makers and church planters who will carry the love and power of Jesus into homes, neighborhoods, campuses, and communities.
Jesus Is Still Looking for Followers
Jesus never asked for casual admirers.
He called disciples.
People willing to surrender comfort for obedience. People willing to love radically. People willing to carry the gospel into the world around them.
And the beautiful truth is this: you do not have to be extraordinary to live like Jesus.
You simply have to be available.
That is one of the reasons I wrote Kingdom Living. I wanted to create a practical invitation for believers who want more than passive Christianity — believers who long to actively follow Jesus in everyday life.
Because Christianity was never meant to be observed from a distance.
It was meant to be lived.
Personal Reflection
Our family has realized again and again that following Jesus was never supposed to become a comfortable routine centered around attending church services alone.
Jesus calls us into active discipleship — a life of obedience, surrender, mission, hospitality, prayer, and making disciples. Faith grows strongest when it is lived out daily in partnership with Him.
The more we say yes to Jesus in ordinary moments, the more we begin to look like Him.
Practical Takeaway
This week, choose one intentional way to live like Jesus in your everyday life.
Maybe that means praying for someone, inviting someone into your home, sharing your testimony, serving quietly, or making time to disciple another believer.
Ask the Lord:
"Jesus, how can I reflect You more clearly today?"
Then simply obey.
Scripture
"Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." — 1 John 2:6
Prayer
Jesus, teach us to truly follow You. Shape our lives to reflect Your love, humility, boldness, compassion, and obedience. Help us move beyond passive faith into active discipleship. Fill us with Your Spirit and lead us to become people who live like You in our homes, cities, and everyday lives. Amen.
Walk With Us
If this post encouraged you, here are a few ways to take a next step:
- Read my book, Kingdom Living, a practical invitation to follow Jesus in everyday life.
- Share this post with a friend who desires a deeper walk with Jesus.
- Explore what missionary training at MTC Nashville could look like for you.