Read Ephesians 4:17-24

DISCUSSION:

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" Ephesians 4:22-24

    -What does he mean by "put off your old self" and "put on the new self"?

    -How are we "made new in the attitude of our minds"?

 Paul describes the old self as: futile mind, darkened understanding, alienated from God, ignorant, hard hearted, callous, lustful, greedy, impure.

DISCUSSION:

    -In contrast to these attributes of the old self, what would a new self look like? 

    -In what ways do you long to be less like your old self and more like a new self?

Callous is on that list. A callous is formed when the message of pain isn't enough to get you to stop what is causing it. This is true about physical callouses, but it can also be true about our hearts. God can use pain to try to help us see where we need to let go of our old self. After ignoring the emotional and spiritual pain, our hearts become hard. This is when we are most likely to hurt others and ourselves.

We cannot heal our own calloused hearts. We cannot, in our own strength, become a new self and let go of the old self. This process starts with a personal relationship with Jesus. He made a way for us to experience God's grace and freedom. The work of the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts. When this happens, our new self is the good fruit that comes from Him.

DISCUSSION:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

    -Do you feel an invitation in your heart to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you into a new self?

    -What could be a next step for you to accept that invitation?

DISCUSSION:

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20

    -What are some ways that you have noticed that God has shown Himself to us?

    -What does it mean that we are "without excuse"?

Healthy change starts with complete surrender. The old self must die! There is a dying involved in surrender. 

Sometimes desire drives action and then action drives desire. You simply start doing what the Word says because you trust Him. 

DISCUSSION:

    -What action can you take that could start the process of the old dying and giving the new to be born in you?

And now...

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24