Week 8. I Am A New Creation!

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In this session well recognise how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. We are no longer dened by our sins but by Christ, and he is actively helping to make us into the people that we were created to be all along.

Opening Discussion: They Are A Real Saint! !

Think about someone that you have known that you might have said He/She is a saint Why do you say that about them?! Does this persons life inspire you to do better, make you think you could never be like that, or something else? Explain your answer.!

You: Saint or Sinner?!

You are a saint. The sinner is still there but this is not your identity. No one is born a saint. Our best behaviour doesn't make us saints. Jesus sacrice on your behalf, and receiving the new life he offers us, is what accomplishes that. As we walk closely with Jesus, over time we begin to bear a closer outward resemblance to what Jesus has made us inside. !

Read 1 Timothy 1:15 then discuss.!

Q1. What does Paul call himself in this passage? Yet how does he talk about the church in these verses Romans 1:7 and Ephesians 1:1. !

Read Philippians 3:3-17. then discuss!

Q2. From a human standpoint, what successes does Paul have before encountering Christ? Where was he really, from Gods perspective? ! Q3. On the other hand, in what ways can you say, as Paul does here, Follow my example (v17)? No false modesty here. What has Christ taught you that you wished everyone knew as deeply? How does this encourage you of Christ at work in you? !

Read Romans 12:1-3. then discuss!

Q4. How are we told to view ourselves with a new mind in view of Gods mercy. ! Can you see that thinking too highly or too little of ourselves, we are thinking of the esh and not the Spirit. Out of our old identity instead of our new one. !

Two Cycles. The Gracious Cycle of Faith & The Cycle of Unbelief. !
Have a look at the cycles in the pictures on the next page. They describe two conicting belief systems.!

! Q5. What sections or comments in each of these charts resonate most with you? Why? ! ! Q6. How does whats going on inside us affect the people around us?! ! Q7. What might you do to help you break the cycle of unbelief and embrace faith instead? ! !

To grow in grace means to utilise more and more grace to live by, until everything we do is assisted by graceThe greatest saints are not those who need less grace, but those who consume the most grace, who indeed are mosts in need of grace in every dimension of their being. Grace to them is like breath ! Dallas Willard, Rennovation of The Heart. !

The Cycle of Unbelief

The Cycle of Faith