Group Notes | April 8

A BRAND NEW DAY: OF LIVING
April 8, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Open:

If you are a parent, grandparent, or even a close, loving aunt or uncle, you know the entire dynamics of a home changes when a new baby arrives! What are some of the obvious—and less obvious–changes?

On Easter Sunday, the power of God was present in a stirring message of salvation, as many accepted the free gift of grace and faith available through believing on Jesus Christ, and experienced the beginning of a new life. This week we look at the changes that gift of salvation will bring about as you grow in faith, and assess some of the areas that will be most affected.  Did your life change in the past week? Let’s look at the picture of what the gospel should bring about.

Focal Passage: 1 John 1:1-10

Discuss:

A Brand New Day of Salvation

  1. Read John 5:24. Does this verse describe what has happened to you recently? Recognizing your need to be saved from your debt of sins (Rom. 6:23) is the first step in coming to salvation. Read Rom.10:13. Did you follow the recognition up by asking Jesus to save you and repenting of your sins?
  2. Read Rom. 3:23. How many—or what kinds—of sin will separate you from the love of Christ? Read Rom. 10:10. What, besides repentance, is necessary for salvation?

A Brand New Day of Action

  1. Read John 3:13-14. Jesus was ready, at thirty years of age, to begin His ministry. What was the first act of obedience that He performed? How does this give us a precedent as to the importance God places on baptism?
  2. What does baptism represent? Have you been baptized, even after salvation of some lengthy time? What has held you back from obeying this ordinance?

A Brand New Day of Living

  1. Read 1 Pet. 2:1-2. In the opening, a new baby requires the family or guardian to take responsibility for certain requirements the child needs. If you liken that to your salvation experience, what are some things your new life will require of you?
  2. Read 1 John 1:5-6, and 2 Cor. 5:17. Explain why you, as a newborn babe in Christ (or even as a seasoned believer) cannot go places, look at things, or have companions that would be contrary to your faith in Jesus Christ.

A Brand New Day of Walking

  1. Read verses 7-8. If you’re a new believer you might be asking yourself, “Where do I go? What do I do?” Read Matt. 6:33 and James 1:5. You now have a Creator who will “liberally” give you wisdom when you ask. How do you seek God and His righteousness before other things (Matt. 6:33)?
  2. Read 1 Thess. 5:16-18. When you read verses such as this, underline it so that you can find it at a moment’s notice. What does it mean to your new way of life?

A Brand New Day of Forgiveness

  1. Read verse 9. Why is it necessary to keep a “short account” of your sins? How is that analogous to letting debt on a credit card mount up?
  2. What are some ways you can keep your walk pure?

Memory Verse: 1 John 1:6: If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Close

So often non-believers will scoff at Christianity, saying it is a list of rules—of “do’s and don’ts.” You may have felt that way yourself before Jesus called you to Himself. What they do not realize, however, is that He has taken the “old” you, the one who walked in darkness and had fellowship with darkness, and created a new being! You are no longer the same person, with the same desires for sin and its temporary pleasure. The old has passed away, and the new has come—and continues to keep coming.

If you remember, Pastor Jonathan used the organ as an example of a new creation. It had been a tree that was cut down, and fashioned by experts into a beautiful instrument that is used to worship God. You, too, have been changed from the person you were  into someone completely new, whose being can bring glory to God for the rest of your life. What a praise!

If you feel you need additional help—and most of us do!—connect with one of the Life Groups at church, and find one that meets your needs. There are studies for everyone, and they will help you grow as you seek this new life of joy and peace with God.

 

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