The Learning that results in living The Way
In Acts 9 It is a curious fact that the follower's of Jesus were identified in very descriptive ways. These ways give a good deal of content
The first way the follower's of Jesus are described are, "disciples." This term means one who is a pupil or learner of a teacher or leader. It is clear that the early follower's of Jesus and those around them knew that their lives were characterized as those who were learning about the teachings and practices of Jesus.
However, this term, disciple, is not unique to Jesus. Centuries before Jesus there were disciples of Socrates and Pythagoras. There were people who gathered others to themselves to learn of the teacher or leaders beliefs and practices. Jesus did this very thing for those who followed him as their teacher. This is surely true of those who walked with him in his earthly ministry but now also those who have learned about him and now learning about him.
Another way the follower's of Jesus were identified in Acts 9 is that they were people who belonged to "The Way." This suggests that there was some understanding that those who were learners and pupils of Jesus also adopted a lifestyle that could be identified as "The Way." The beliefs that people learned found expression in their lives so much that they were identified as people of "The Way." This is a dynamic understanding of the life of early believers and followers of Jesus
APPLICATION: What is it in your and my life that demonstrates that in our learning and being a pupil of Jesus manifest itself in the "way" we live? How have we made belief in Jesus an end in itself that has little in the "way" people live?