Complete Bibliography & Further Reading
Resources for Christ-like character formation
UBLikeJesus2 draws from the rich heritage of Christian spiritual formation, from the early Church Fathers through medieval mystics to contemporary spiritual writers. This page provides a comprehensive bibliography of the classic and modern works that inform the product's 34 Christ-like virtues and 50 modules. Each source offers deeper exploration into the transformative journey of becoming more like Jesus.
The 34-virtue framework that forms the heart of UBLikeJesus2 was originally inspired by this beloved Afrikaans Bible study workbook. Written by Elise Grey, "Meer en meer soos Jesus" (More and More Like Jesus) has blessed countless South African Christians over the decades, already reaching its 8th printing by 1995—a testament to its enduring impact in Afrikaans-speaking faith communities.
Format: A4-size softcover Bible study workbook with questions and fill-in spaces for personal reflection
Cover Design: Daniel Grey
Language: Afrikaans
Purpose: Systematic study of Christ-like character qualities for personal and group devotions
This workbook provided the foundational structure for exploring what it means to progressively reflect Christ's character in daily life. The framework of 34 distinct qualities—each drawn from Jesus' example in Scripture—offered a practical, comprehensive approach to spiritual formation that has proven transformative for thousands of readers.
For Afrikaans readers: If you wish to engage with this framework in your heart language, Elise Grey's original workbook remains highly recommended for personal devotions, couples' studies, and small group settings.
🇿🇦 Kry dit by Kakkerlak BoekhandelaarsUBLikeJesus2 takes this foundational framework and expands it through the InspireWell4Life format: 50 Inspire-U-2 modules containing 5,000+ quotes from Christian Scripture, Church Fathers, mystics, theologians, and wisdom traditions across the centuries. The result is a rich resource for daily reflection on Christ-like character in English, building on the Afrikaans legacy while making it accessible to a global audience.
The foundational texts that have shaped Christian understanding of Christlikeness for centuries:
c. 1418 • Various Publishers
The most widely read Christian devotional work after the Bible. For over 600 years, this classic has guided believers in the path of following Christ through humility, devotion, and inner transformation. Its four books cover turning away from worldly vanity, the inner life, consolation, and the Eucharist.
1952 • HarperOne
Lewis's masterful exploration of core Christian beliefs includes profound reflections on Christian character and the process of being transformed into Christ's likeness. His chapters on Christian behavior and the theological virtues remain essential reading.
Contemporary works on the process of becoming more like Christ:
2002 • NavPress
Willard provides a comprehensive vision for spiritual transformation, addressing the transformation of the will, mind, body, social dimension, and soul. He shows how character formation happens from the inside out through intentional engagement with Christ.
1998 • HarperOne
Willard's masterwork on discipleship and the Sermon on the Mount. He argues that Jesus's teachings are practical instructions for becoming the kind of person who naturally lives as Jesus lived—not just rules to follow but a transformation of character.
1978 • HarperOne
The modern classic on spiritual disciplines. Foster explores inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, study), outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, celebration) as pathways to transformation.
1988 • HarperOne
Willard explains how spiritual disciplines work to reshape our character. He argues that we can become like Christ because Jesus himself lived a fully human life empowered by practices we can also adopt.
1954 • Harper & Row
Bonhoeffer's reflection on Christian community and how believers form one another in Christlikeness. Based on his experience leading an underground seminary during Nazi Germany, it addresses confession, service, and bearing with one another.
1937 • Touchstone
Bonhoeffer's profound meditation on the Sermon on the Mount and what it means to follow Christ wholeheartedly. His distinction between "cheap grace" and "costly grace" challenges readers to authentic discipleship.
Works focusing specifically on Christian virtue and character formation:
2010 • HarperOne
Wright explores how Christians develop virtue and what character formation looks like after conversion. Drawing on Scripture and early Christian teaching, he shows how the goal of Christianity is not just getting to heaven but becoming genuinely Christlike people.
2009 • Baker Academic
Smith argues that humans are primarily shaped not by what we think but by what we love—and that our loves are formed by practices and habits. He shows how liturgy and daily practices shape our character more than abstract beliefs.
1978 • Oxford University Press
A philosophical exploration of virtue ethics that has influenced contemporary Christian ethics. Foot's analysis of what makes a trait a virtue (vs. merely a skill or temperament) provides intellectual rigor to character discussions.
2015 • IVP Books
A comprehensive, practical guide to over 60 spiritual disciplines organized by desire—what we're longing for. Each discipline includes reflection questions, Scripture, and practical guidance for implementation.
Scholarly works on Christian character formation and virtue ethics:
Hauerwas, S. (1975). University of Notre Dame Press.
Hauerwas's groundbreaking work on how Christian character is formed through narrative, community, and practice. Essential for understanding virtue ethics from a Christian perspective.
Diogenes Allen (1997). Cowley Publications.
Explores how classical Christian spiritual teaching addresses contemporary needs for character formation and spiritual growth.
Pellegrino, E. D., & Thomasma, D. C. (1993). Oxford University Press.
While focused on medical ethics, this work provides an excellent model for thinking about virtue formation in professional contexts—applicable to all areas of life.
Various theological journals, ongoing scholarship.
Contemporary theological reflection on how human character formation relates to God's redemptive purposes and the future hope of complete transformation.
Google Scholar is a free academic search engine that indexes peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, and conference proceedings from universities and research institutions worldwide.
Unlike regular Google, Scholar focuses exclusively on academic and scholarly sources—including theological journals, seminary publications, and peer-reviewed research on spiritual formation.
Use Google Scholar when you want to:
Note: Some papers require institutional access or purchase, but many are freely available as PDFs.
Begin your journey of Christ-like character formation with UBLikeJesus2's 50 modules and 5,000+ curated quotes from Christian and wisdom traditions.