BIG IDEA
We can stretch our faith by letting something go.
MESSAGE NOTES:
WHAT:
We want to stretch so that we can grow. But stretching is usually just what we do to prepare for something. It’s the warm up. It’s how we prepare our bodies to do something else.
So what are we warming up for? Transformation.
“SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION HAPPENS WHEN SOMETHING OLD FALLS AWAY.” - Susan Stabile
SO WHAT:
So if with Jesus we can let go of our bad habits - we have two questions to answer:
How do I know what to let go of?
You move your focus from what you think you are “supposed” to do and change it to be on what God actually does.
How do I really get it out of my life for good?
Don’t try and fix it on your own because this is just behavior modification again. Take whatever struggle or stronghold you have, and dive into the Word, talk to God, and call on your friends to find out what a good model of this is
NOW WHAT:
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
God exposes the “secret” to Paul. “Grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” If you have ever said to yourself “I don’t have the strength to overcome this,” you were right. The good news, God has grace for you if you want it.
Walking with God will transform our minds and our hearts. When our thoughts change our habits change and when our hearts change our desires change. We won’t get stuck in the same old patterns, God will help us make new ones.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Q1: Did you pick and commit to trying a new spiritual practice?
Q2: Do you find what Paul says relates to you? When he says, “When I want to do what’s right, I envitably do what’s wrong.”
Q3: What areas in life could you use transformation in? Examples: Control (Where I could surrender), Bitterness (where I could let go with forgiveness), Addiction (instead of real hope), Lust (where I could see the purity of people.
Q4: Which of these do you want most to grab onto, and why?
Humility
Compassion
Integrity
Peacemaking
Goodness