Daily Guide Who We Are In Jesus Topic 1: New Creation

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1 Daily Guide Who We Are In Jesus Topic 1: New Creation The salvation we possess by grace through faith in Jesus alone changes everything! While we still see, feel, and experience the effects of sin and the brokenness that results from it, we have confidence that we are not who we once were and that God is working in us to make us more like His Son. In baptism, we see a physical picture of what happens spiritually at salvation. In Romans 6:4, Paul writes, We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. The life of faith is a NEW LIFE! DAY 1 II. Meeting Prep 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 In these verses, we not only see what we are, but also Who is at work in our salvation, and the purpose we have in the world because we are new creations. As you work through these verses, what comes to mind regarding who you are? Do you tend to view yourself by your shortcomings or by what Scripture says about you? How do you view others? DAY 2 II. Meeting Prep Colossians 3:1-17 These verses speak about the heavenly reality that we share with Christ now! While we await the final resurrection of our bodies, spiritually we experience a type of resurrection at salvation. We are to actively put to death unrighteousness and put on qualities consistent with life in Christ. Which of these traits stand out to you as areas of strength in your life? Areas of weakness? What is the significance of the fact that these are all relational behaviors within the church?

2 DAY 3 II. Meeting Prep 2 Timothy 2:14-26 This passage closely mirrors what you read yesterday. In Colossians Paul is writing to the church, whereas here he is writing to a leader, Timothy. As important as it is for all believers to live out and model the life we are called to, it is especially important that leaders meet this standard. What qualities are consistent in yesterday s and today s passage? Which are different? What does verse 14 tell us we are to do for each other? DAY 4 II. Meeting Prep Romans 6:1-23 The image of death is a strong one. Paul uses it to show that, just as physical death separates us from the things of this world, dying with Christ separates us from the power of sin in this life. Even though this is a spiritual reality, we are to actively consider ourselves dead to sin. While there is grace for us when we sin, we are to submit ourselves to righteousness, not unrighteousness. How do you do this? What are some ways that you can consider [yourself] dead to sin? Does the image of death or slavery resonate more with you? Write out a paraphrase of this passage as it relates to you personally.

3 DAY 5 II. Meeting Prep Ephesians 4:17-32 Once more we see that a new life results in different behavior, and again we see that it has implications for our relationships. Paul assumes that if we know Jesus and know what Jesus taught, we will not be who we once were. A new creation really is new! Think about this past week. What are some specific things that reflect your old self? How about the new self? Which comes most naturally? DAY 6 II. Reflect Spend time reflecting on what God has revealed to you this past week. Think about how you would explain the idea that we are a new creation to a nonbeliever. Write down two to three main ideas you would convey to them. III. Apply What are some specific areas you have been convicted about this week that you desire to see God prune out of your life? Find someone to hold you accountable for these areas.

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5 Meeting Guide Who We Are In Jesus Topic 1 New Creation Prayer Ask someone in your group to open in prayer. Please continue to consult the ARBC Prayer Guide resource to help your group grow in how they pray. Big Idea & Review of Daily Guide Say it together: I am a new creation. Feels weird, doesn t it? We can know something is true, but we also know the opposing truth: we are still human. Stained by sin, we are easily swayed to do things we wish we had not done; we are keenly aware that we are not yet like Jesus, despite our desires. Dallas Willard wrote, Jesus never expected us simply to turn the other cheek, go the second mile, bless those who persecute us, give unto them that ask, and so forth. These responses, generally and rightly understood to be characteristic of Christlikeness, were put forth by him as illustrative of what might be expected of a new kind of person one who intelligently and steadfastly seeks, above all else, to live within the rule of God and be possessed by the kind of righteousness that God himself has [sic] Instead, Jesus did invite people to follow him into that sort of life from which behavior such as loving one s enemies will seem like the only sensible and happy thing to do. For a person living that life, the hard thing to do would be to hate the enemy, to turn the supplicant away, or to curse the curser True Christlikeness, true companionship with Christ, comes at the point where it is hard not to respond as he would. 1 Discussion Questions 1. What are one or two takeaways from your Personal Time in God s Word this week? 2. Share your notes from your time of reflection from Day 6 of the Daily Guide this week. 3. Share which areas mentioned in this week s verses reflect the old creation in your life. What about the new creation? Where does he show up? 4. What are some specific ways you have seen growth in your walk? Encourage each other with stories about when you know you have acted like the new creation you are. 5. Talk about the relationship of new creation lifestyles to the health of the church; of the family; of your relationships. Application/Accountability Have each member of the group choose one thing to do this week as a result of this week s study. Group Prayer End your time together praying for one another. 1 Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1991), 7-8.