Do The New You
Conversation Starters
Looking for a way to get the group talking? Try one of these conversations’ starters.
Have you made any resolutions for 2023? How are they going so far?
What is your word for 2023? What are you believing in God for this year?
Sermon Reflection
Help transition the group to the discussion with one of these questions.
What stood out to you from this week’s message?
What from the message encouraged you/challenged you the most?
Sermon Discussion
Select 1-2 themes from the sermon to discuss with your eGroup.
Read Ephesians 4:14. Pastor Steven said that spiritual immaturity can leave us unstable and easily moved by circumstances around us. As we become more mature, we find stable ground in Christ to handle the challenges that will come our way.
Share an example of how immaturity can cause instability in an area of life. (ex. How we handle arguments, lack of self-discipline, etc.)
How do you feel God is calling you to mature this year?
What decisions could you make each day to help grow in spiritual maturity?
Pastor Steven reminded us that what is most natural to us doesn’t determine our destiny, our decisions do. The patterns we follow can be difficult to break, and we sometimes think that those patterns define us. But we have power in Christ to decide to either stay the same, or grow into who He has created us to be.
What dreams do you have that you feel God has created you for?
Share a pattern in your life that can prevent you from moving forward with this dream/calling.
What habits could you start practicing so you break this unhelpful pattern in your life?
Pastor Steven shared how at our cores, we are children of God created for His purpose. But we have all been corrupted by sin. We struggle between making decisions that make us happy right now and decisions we would be proud of later. We need to focus on God’s truth about us, rather than who the world pressures us to be.
Share an example of how you see culture play a part in shaping people’s values or identity? (i.e., commercials, music, etc.)
Name something in your life that you have said is “just who you are,” but in reality you have been using it as permission to not grow? (i.e., “I’m not a morning person”, “I’m not a ‘gym’ person”, etc.)
How can you remind yourself daily about who God says you are in scripture to help you to overcome the pressure to be the old, corrupted you?
In Jeremiah 1:4-8, God calls Jeremiah. But Jeremiah responds with several excuses: “I don’t know how”, “I don’t have it”, and “I’m not like them”. But God calls us based on who He knows us to be, and He is with us and empowers us to do what He calls us to do.
How can knowing God’s presence is with you help you fulfill your purpose and overcome excuses?
Which of these excuses have you used to reject what God has called you to do?
“Do the NEW you.” What reminder can you use this week to remember God’s presence is with you to overcome any excuses you’ve used before?
Activating Faith
Challenge your group to keep activating their faith. Make this a part of your eGroup time or send this activity to them after you meet.This week, take some steps to defy your corrupted default setting and walk out in the new you that God created you to be. Write down how the “new you” differs from who you are today. Then make a plan to take the first steps to growing in that area. Specifically outline 3-5 actions you will take to create habits that lead to growth and change.
Ex: I want to grow in my prayer life.
Each day, set a timer and spend 10 minutes thanking God and presenting my needs to Him.
Keep a journal of prayer requests and update it regularly.
Once a week, set aside 30 minutes to pray and listen for God to speak
Create a prayer playlist.
Check in several times a week with a friend to share progress and encourage one another.
Prayer
Close out your group with prayer using one of these options
An Interactive Prayer
Ask each person to share one way they want to grow in 2023. Have each person pray for one other person to grow in that way this year. Commit to pray for one another throughout the year and check back in periodically to see how the growth is coming.
A Guided Prayer
Thank you, God, that you have created, called, and forgiven each of us. Thank you for making us new. Although we still struggle, we know that you aren’t done with us yet. Help us to embrace the new creation that you have created us to be. Empower us to take actions that bring you glory and that help us to grow in maturity. Make us more like Jesus every day. When we struggle, please remind us that you are with us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Additional Resources
Want to help your group go deeper after you meet? Send them one of these resources that relates to the sermon topic.
To embrace your identity in God and confirm his love for and presence with you, listen to “The One You Love” by Elevation Worship featuring Chandler Moore.
Remind yourself that God isn’t done with you yet by listening to “My Testimony” by Elevation Worship.
Encourage yourself to grow in maturity by watching “How To Remain Open To Growth” with Pastor Steven Furtick.