Matthew 4:18-22

John 10:3-4

Big Idea: The Voice of Jesus is Calling - it’s time to follow Him.

1. Jesus is Calling

John 10:27

The call to follow Jesus = A call to trust.

2. Am I Responding?

Luke 9:23

Matthew 4:18-20

• Jesus doesn’t try to convince 

• Jesus doesn’t give promises of what is ahead for them.

• Jesus doesn’t give clear answers to what that will look like. 

• Jesus only says to follow…

Obedience - where our faith meets reality

Matthew 16:24-26

What does “Follow Me” mean?

• Our values morph as we follow Jesus.

• Our decision-making transforms as we say yes to Jesus.

• Our compass shifts direction.

Response:

• Develop discerning ears to hear the voice of Jesus

• Establish the pattern of saying ‘yes’ to God

• Prioritize showing Christ to your oikos that have yet to follow Jesus

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Romans 12:2

2 Corinthians 5:16-19

Big Idea: In Christ, you are a new creation. Now embrace it and live it.

Galatians 6:14-15

1. The Old You

- Remember where God has brought you from.

Ephesians 2:1-3

- Let Go of your past. 

Philippians 3:13-14

2. The New You

1 Peter 2:9-10

 3. Embrace the new Life you’ve been given!

What now?

- Do not conform

- Renew your mind

- Reject the lies

- Work through the generational patterns

- Submit to the Spirit–in quietness and immersed in the Word.

- Embrace the truth of who you are in Christ.

• I am God’s child (see John 1:12)

• I am Christ’s friend (see John 15:15)

• I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him (see 1 Corinthians 6:17)

• I have been bought with a price: I belong to God. (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

• I am a member of Christ’s Body (see 1 Corinthians 12:27)

• I am a saint, a holy one (see Ephesians 1:1)

• I have been adopted as God’s child (see Ephesians 1:5)

• I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 2:18)

• I have been forgiven of all my sins (see Colossians 1:14)

• I am complete in Christ (see Colossians 2:10)

• I am free from condemnation (see Romans 8:1-2)

• I am assured that all things work together for good (see Romans 8:28)

• I cannot be separated from the love of God (see Romans 8:35-39)

• I have been established, anointed and sealed by God (see 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

• I am a citizen of heaven (see Philippians 3:20)

• I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control (see 2 Timothy 1:7)

• I can find grace and mercy to help in time of need (see Hebrews 4:16)

• I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (see 1 John 5:18)

• I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world (see Matthew 5:13-14)

• I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus, a channel of His life (see John 15:1-5)

• I have been chosen and appointed by God to bear fruit (see John 15:16)

• I am a personal, Spirit-empowered witness of Christ (see Acts 1:8)

• I am a temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16)

• I am a minister of reconciliation for God (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

• I am God’s workmanship, created for good works (see Ephesians 2:10)

Who is this New You? 

Romans 6:4-7

Response:

• Hand over the keys to your life to Jesus—again or for the first time.

• Embrace and celebrate the new life God has given you.

• Let your transformed life “preach” to your oikos.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 4:2-6

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Romans 12:2

Big Idea: Renewing our minds is a continual but crucial process in a Christian life.

1 Corinthians 2:11-16

If you don’t allow God in to renew your mind, you’re not living the way you were created to live. 

Point 1: Guard yourself. 

“You are what your mind looks at.” - Tan Hwee Hwee

2 Corinthians 4:4

2 Timothy 1:7

Point 2: what’s filling you, what are you allowing to fill you?

THAT'S why it’s important to be familiar with God’s word and character. Renewal comes with the transformation of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Ephesians 5:18-20

Point 3: Practice the process. 

Philippians 4:8–9

“We move in the direction of our predominant thoughts” - Jim Ladd, Earl Nightingale

2 Corinthians 3:18

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and power controlling

All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father

Rule my life in everything,

That I may be calm to comfort

Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me

As the waters fill the sea;

Him exalting, self abasing,

This is victory.

May I run the race before me,

Strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus

As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,

As I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel,

Seeing only Him.

(Kate B. Wilkinson, “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior”)

Response: 

• What are you guarding against?

• What are you filling yourself with? 

• What are you sharing as a result, and who are you sharing to?

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 3:15-17

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Romans 12:2

Genesis 3:1-14

Big Idea: God wants to take our lies and replace them with truth.

We believe the lie that God’s word is not trustworthy 

• The truth is we are the ones who have drifted from fully trusting God

We believe that the Bible is God’s word: We hold that the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full, and final authority on matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25

“We're finite in knowledge and flawed in morality, a wise and holy God needs to guide us towards what is good and right and true.” - Paul David Trip 

We believe the lie that God is disappointed in us

• The truth is (for those who know Him) We are His children and we do many things to please Him.

• Example: Sitting here this morning is pleasing to Him…Colossians 1:10 

• While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Galatians 4:6-7

“God is so boundlessly pleased with Jesus that in him he is altogether well pleased with us.” - C.H. Spurgeon

We believe the lie that we are better than others

• The truth is God commanded us to love others as ourselves.

Matthew 22:36-40

“We make loving people a lot more complicated than Jesus did. Every time I try to protect myself by telling somebody about one of my opinions, God whispers to me and asks about my heart. Why are you so afraid? Who are you trying to impress? Am I really so insecure that I surround myself only with people who agree with me? When people are flat wrong, why do I appoint myself the sheriff to straighten them out? Burning down others’ opinions doesn’t make us right. It makes us arsonists.” - Bob Goff

Response

1. Seek after God Daily

2. Fill your mind with what the Word of God says about you:

Romans 8:17 | You are an heir of God

Ephesians 2:19 | You are part of God's family

Romans 10:13 | You are saved

1 Corinthians 6:19 | The Holy Spirit lives in you

Psalm 23:1-3 | God is taking care of you

John 15:11 | Jesus gives you true joy

Ephesians 1:3 | You are blessed

Galatians 2:20 | Jesus gave himself for you

Psalm 139:1 | God understands you

Exodus 19:5 | You are treasured by God

Isaiah 43:4 | You are precious to God

Galatians 3:13 | You are rescued

Jeremiah 29:11 | God has a plan for your life

1 John 5:14-15 | God listens to you

Zephaniah 3:17 | God is with you

3. Love others like Jesus would

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 3:12-14

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Romans 12:2

4 Areas of Relational Influence:

• Parents 

• Family 

• Spouse

• Friends

Big Idea: Generational patterns, whether positive or negative, have a profound impact on our lives.

3 Objections to Dealing with Our Past:

• Focusing on the past is bad.

• I don’t need to address my past.

• My past is a can of worms I am not willing to open.

Exodus 20:5-6

"Children who repeat the sins of their fathers evidence it by personally hating God." - Walter Kaiser

Point 1: Identifying Generational Patterns

• Single greatest influence on who you are today - Family of Origin…

- Your entire extended family going back 3-4 generations.

• “Jesus might live in your heart, but grandpa lives in your bones.” - Pete Scazzaro

Point 2: Breaking the Chains of the Past

• 2 Kings 22:1-2

Point 3: Building a Christ-Centered Legacy

• Proverbs 22:6

• “What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” - John Wesley

Response: 

• The hope to change your generational patterns rests in Jesus.

- Romans 5:18-19

• There is nothing that has been passed down to you from prior generations that Christ cannot redeem and restore.

• God wants to restore broken patterns in your life.

- “for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God”

- “God's jealousy is not a compound of frustration, envy, and spite, as human jealousy so often is, but appears instead as a praiseworthy zeal to preserve something supremely precious.” - J. I. Packer

New pattern established in Christ.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 3:1-11

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Romans 12:1–2

Big Idea: The world wants to press you into its mold, but God wants to transform you from the inside out.

• Formation

Genesis 2:7

Psalm 139:15

• Conformation

Romans 12:2

• Transformation

2 Corinthians 3:16–18

Transformation happens by:

a. The Gospel

b. Renewing of your mind

Ezekiel 11:18–20

Spiritual Formation: “Spiritual formation focuses on the deepening of one's relationship with God.”

1. Sabbath

2. Prayer

3. Silence

4. Scripture

5. Fasting

Response:

• Begin by giving it all to Jesus.

• Examine yourself and the pressures molding you, asking God to renew and redeem.

• Share your transformation story with your oikos.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 2:6-10

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Matthew 16:13-20

The Big Idea: The Church is entirely a work of Jesus.

The most important question any human will ever answer: Who do you say Jesus is?

People Love Their Church for Five Reasons:

• The Pastor 

• The People

• The Place

• The Programs

• The Platform

Mature Christians Follow Jesus Deeper Into His Vision for the Church:

Matthew 28:16-20

Response:

• Let us pray for ECC and this transition

• Let us pray for our next Pastor

• Let us celebrate the One who is able

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 2:1-5

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

James 5:13-20

Big Idea: Prayer is our connection to Jesus, our source of overcoming.

1. Prayer is the breath to our spiritual lungs. 

"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." - Martin Luther

Psalm 5:1-3

2. Prayer anchors our humanity, and roots us in our humility.

a. Prayer reveals our need…we are like everyone else.

b. Prayer reveals our limits…and we can’t do it all.

c. Prayer reveals our sins and weaknesses…. we need to confess to one another.

“In the same way that a small child cannot draw a bad picture so a child of God cannot offer a bad prayer.” - Richard Foster

3. Prayer rearranges our priorities.

There is a mystery to prayer - sometimes God allows our prayer to change circumstances in this world - and sometimes it doesn’t. Nothing is guaranteed, but miracles still routinely happen. One guarantee though - we will be changed as we pray.

“I really believe that it is possible for you to develop a simple life of prayer that can give you that ‘holy indifference.’ By that, I mean the place where you feel so truly safe and so well held that the ups and downs of your life aren’t able to distress you or excite you.” - Henri Nouwen

Response:

• Make prayer your spiritual breath—in and out, throughout the day. 

• Make Trust the anchor no matter the answer to your prayers. 

• Pray for something specific for each member of your oikos.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 1:24-29

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Revelation 12:11

James 5:7-12

The Big Idea: Perseverence is an active and focused spiritual discipline.

The focus that fuels our perseverance: 

God’s promised deliverance

“Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius.”  –Comte de Buffon

Let’s talk about practicing patient engagement:

1. Perseverence knows that God’s deliverance is coming. (V7-9)

2. Perseverence knows that everyone matters to God. (V9)

3. Perseverence knows that God joins us in suffering as we remain on mission. (V10)

Hebrews 11:32-38

“The twelve apostles were men who gave up everything for the sake of the Cross. They lost their property; they lost their freedom; they lost health and were beaten; and ultimately they lost their lives. The prophets were no different. They were imprisoned, beaten and murdered for proclaiming the word of the Lord. The churches that flourished under the apostles also were plundered and impoverished and the Bible repeatedly encourages them to endure and look ahead to the end result. Our supreme example comes from Christ Himself.

What most Christians don’t realize is that the comfort and promise offered through suffering are not available any other way. If I avoid suffering by refusing to follow God through the darkest times of my life, I don’t just bypass the suffering, I also bypass the glory of God in my life.” -Ed Snipes

4. Perseverence trusts God even when it doesn’t make sense. (V12)

What did God accomplish with Job?

• ​​Proved the genuineness of Job’s faith

​• Revealed Himself more clearly to Job and his Oikos

• Put it in Satan’s face

​• Grew Job into an even greater man

Revelation 22:12

Response:

• Set your hope fully on God’s deliverance

• Commit to disciplined perseverence

• Pray for someone in your Oikos who is currently suffering

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 1:15-20

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Revelation 12:11

James 4:1-10

Big Idea: Overcomers fight the right enemy with the right tactics.

• Fight the Flesh

James 4:1-3

Acts 4:32

Galatians 5:17

“Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” - John Owen

• Fight Worldliness

James 4:4-6

1 John 2:16

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

• Fight the Devil

James 4:7-10

"It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, and my job to love." - Billy Graham

Matthew 13:24-30

"Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” - Max Lucado

Response: 

• Identify the enemy - flesh, world, & devil

• Identify the tactic - submission & humility

• B.L.E.S.S your Oikos and don’t hold so tightly to your own life

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Colossians 1:3-8

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)