Our imitative mind

This is perhaps one of my favorite topics and a message that I would love to have shared widely. It addresses a fundamental question of how we learn as humans. Most of our learning comes through imitation, or mimicry. Just so happens that Jesus based His entire plan on this same principle. We call it discipleship. He simply said, "Follow Me," or "Mimic Me."

The Path...

As part of this discussion and in light of the centrality of imitation in discipleship, I take a look at what I call the "traditional" model for evangelism: Believe, Behave, Belong. We often begin with engaging those who don't know Christ in a doctrinal/theological discussion and invite them to Believe. Then, we teach behaviors. And finally, the new person belongs in the community. Like this:

Jesus' model is different. First, He invites us to walk together with Him ("Follow Me"). Jesus invites us into His "circle" before we make a "decision". We are invited to His table ("Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with that person, and they with me" (Rev 3:20). We can "test out" His way of life. Along this journey, we believe and out of that belonging and believing, our behaving changes. Belong, Believe, Behave. Like this:

If we want to make disciples... or raise children... or see the Kingdom Improv... or have the childlike heart necessary to inherit the kingdom, we must understand our Imitative Mind.

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