Living Like Jesus

July 22, 2026 / by Pastor Traig Whittaker

It’s funny the things you remember. I remember the first time I heard the word “disciple” used by someone other than my Sunday School teacher or the pastor. I couldn’t have been more than eight years old.

While I was watching a baseball game on television, the announcer described the batter as a disciple of Charley Lau. He could identify the batter that way by his distinctive stance and the way he swung the bat. In the discipline of hitting a baseball, Charley Lau had disciples. To become a disciple, you put yourself under the authority of another person, learn from them, and imitate them. Would you be a disciple of Charley Lau if you didn’t swing the bat like he would? Of course not. You may have an interest in his technique. He may serve you as an advisor. You may admire his hitting philosophy. You may have read his books, watched his videos, and attended his training camps, but you would not be his disciple unless you implemented his instructions as best you could and imitated as best you could his actions.

When Jesus gave the charge in Matthew 28 to “Go and make disciples” what was he saying? He was saying that his followers should make it their aim to help others learn from Jesus and live like Jesus.
One way to learn from Jesus is to study the Bible. Not only does it record what Jesus taught but the Bible reveals how Jesus lived.

It’s one thing to learn from Jesus; it’s another thing to live like Jesus. Living like Jesus does not come naturally because it’s supernatural. To live like Jesus, disciples need supernatural help. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is our helper.

If a television announcer were to describe your life, would he easily identify you as a disciple of Jesus? And are you actively engaged in making disciples? Are there people in whom you are investing so that they would learn from Jesus and live like Jesus?

May East White Oak be the kind of church that produces disciples who make disciples.

Pastor Traig Whittaker serves at East White Oak as our Senior Associate Pastor. His ministry responsibilities include oversight of the church’s Christian Education programs and administrative duties. Traig is married to Laura and they have four adult children.