Living into the Life of Jesus: The Formation of Christian Character

by Klaus Issler

Publisher:

IVP

, 2012

Overview

Why does merely understanding and trying hard to follow the example of Jesus often yield little progress--and even less joy and peace?

In this foundational work of Christian formation, Klaus Issler derives insights from the life of Jesus in the Gospels to uncover the dynamics of becoming Christlike. You will discover how you can forge much deeper connections with Jesus so that his life begins to permeate your own character.

Key Features

• Proposes an unconventional strategy to live more like Jesus
• Invites the readers to take a fresh look at Jesus in the Gospels to benefit from what He offers
• Shares the author's journey, some liberating insights from Jesus' life and teachings, and some practical steps

Contents

Part One: A Process for Christian Character Formation

• Form Your Heart, Not Just Your Behavior
• Wake up to Five Formation Gaps
• Adapt Formation Practices for your journey

Part Two: Essential Divine Resources of Formation Grace

• Love: Divine Relational Support in Jesus' Life and Ours
• Holy Spirit: Divine Mentoring in Jesus' Life and Ours
• Scripture: Divine Revelation of Reality and a "Jesus" Lifestyle

Part Three: Following Jesus in Our Gaps

• Three Exemplary Jesus Practices About Relationships
• Three Exemplary Jesus Practices About Money and Work

Praise for Living into the Life of Jesus

This book is about learning to live like Jesus: to become more like him, to understand what it means to incorporate his way into our way, to know the heart and mind of Christ. Klaus Issler provides us a fresh and thoughtful perspective of what we can learn and apply from the life of Jesus.

Bill Pollard, chairman and CEO emeritus, The ServiceMaster Company

The desire to become more Christlike sometimes gets translated into a list of dos and don'ts which, quite frankly, can be more burdensome than joyful. In contrast, Klaus Issler draws from the teachings of Jesus to provide a fresh perspective on achieving genuine character change. Of particular interest to me is his emphasis on the redemptive potential of marketplace activity and personal wealth. With its generous use of 'prayer projects' and review questions, I believe this book has strong potential for use in classrooms and Bible studies.

Steve Rundle, professor of international business, Biola University, and coauthor of Great Commission Companies

As a pastor I am constantly seeking relevant and insightful books which stimulate not only my own personal growth but also provide an effective tool to help my church members develop the image of Christ in their lives. My criterion for such books is that they be biblically grounded with relevant application. Living into the Life of Jesus is one book that accomplishes that goal for me. Issler offers fresh and deep insights to familiar passages of Scripture. But this is not just an academic exercise. It will challenge your mind and also lead your heart into the practice of spiritual formation that is Christ-centered and empowered by the Spirit of God. This is an essential text for any pastor that seeks to form the character of Christ in his own life and the life of his church.

David J. Mitchell, senior pastor, Calvary Church of Santa Ana

Product Details

• Title: Living into the Life of Jesus: The Formation of Christian Character
• Author: Klaus Issler
• Publisher: IVP
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2018
• Pages: 240
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Spritual formation; Character › Religious aspects--Christianity; Jesus Christ › Example
• ISBNs: 9780830869640, 0830869646
• Resource ID: LLS:9780830869640
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:52:53Z

About Klaus Issler

Klaus Issler is Professor of Christian Education and Theology in the Ph.D. in Educational Studies program, Talbot School of Theology, and adjunct faculty with the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University, La Mirada, California. He holds a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of California, Riverside, and a Ph.D. in Education from Michigan State University.