"...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Have you felt a desire to change, to be better? Do you feel a tug to go deeper with God? This is part of our design and an invitation from God Himself. He draw us into deeper relationship with Him. And as we get closer to Him, He does the life-changing work in our lives. We choose to take big, and sometimes simple and small steps. 

DISCUSSION:

     -What steps have you taken in the past that has led to positive change?

"Here's the gospel: you're more sinful than you ever dared believed; you're more loved than you ever dared hope." Tim Keller

This all comes together at the cross. This is how we keep loving. This is how I live differently. Fear or shame or religious pride are not how this happens. We are motivated by love and joy and gratitude. This is how we change. 

DISCUSSION:

     -Describe the change you have seen in your life or in the life of someone else when they allowed God to do the work in them?

     -What change would you like to see in your own life? 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:13-14

We all always in process. Paul himself says that he is straining toward what is ahead. He tells us here that this does not happen by accident. God does the work, but we must be intentional about taking the necessary steps as He shows us the way toward change and growth. 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

We cannot confuse intentional growth with how we are saved. We are saved as a gift of God, but we change and grow as we take steps forward. 

DISCUSSION:

     -Discuss the difference between being saved by grace and pressing on toward the goal.

Spiritual growth and life change is a life-long process. The things that really matter take time; love, joy, meaning, good character, healing. We cannot fast track growth. But this growth does not happen by accident. It must be intentional. The moment we say yes to the saving grace of Jesus, we are saved by His grace and growth begins. But it is a beginning and takes work on our part. 

Paul said we must "forget what is past". This doesn't mean we don't do the hard work of asking for forgiveness and making some wrongs right. It does mean that we no longer live in the guilt and shame of our past. We are fully forgiven. He also said we "press on". We move forward in the grace He gives. We take whatever next step will bring us the growth we are longing for. 

DISCUSSION:

     -What is your next step? This could be a personal discipline like reading your bible or praying. It could be joining a class or small group.