New Like Timothy

Main Thought

Much of the Christian life has to do with becoming new. God invites us into a new family: His own. He, as the all-knowing Creator, gives us a new foundation for our beliefs and identity. God even goes so far as to make us new people. That happens in at least two different ways. Our hearts, (or spirits, the core of our beings), are transformed when we place our faith in Jesus. But our habits, attitudes, and character still need to change over time. This process of growth requires our participation. If we resist or reject growth, then we can cause pain to ourselves, to others, and even to God. But there’s great beauty and purpose awaiting those who are willing to engage the process of growth as a Christian. We grow when we progressively move in a new direction by making new decisions. Every choice we make to pursue Christ and flee sin is a step toward becoming a new person who finds new purpose in Him.

Main Passages

19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

- 2 Timothy 2:19-22

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

- Matthew 7:3-5

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

- 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above? Why?

2. In what way can your habits, attitudes, or character change in order for you to become more like Jesus?

3. What’s one practical thing you can do consistently to reinforce that change and move in a new direction?

Humble like Jesus

Main Thought

As Christians, we want to look like and be like Jesus. Jesus set the ultimate example of humility. We should be humble too! Becoming humble can be a painful process though. Our sinful pride reveals itself in more ways than we realize. When we’re upset or offended easily, it’s probably because of pride. When we’re angry that we didn’t get our way, that’s usually pride. When we scoff at the efforts of others, laugh at them, or judge them, it’s our pride. Did you know that God hates pride? That He actively opposes proud people? Realizing that should make us desperate to push the pride out of our lives! So how do we do it? Becoming humble begins with looking in the mirror and acknowledging our pride. Then, we need to act with an opposite spirit. Humility manifests itself in submission, service, and sacrifice. Becoming humble involves choosing at least one of those things, gritting our teeth, and doing it. When we do that with a heart that genuinely seeks humility, God meets us there. He will help us along the way.

Main Passages

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

- Philippians 2:5-8

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

- Mark 10:42-44

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

- James 4:6

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

2. Think of a moment over the past week in which pride might have revealed itself through your offense, anger, judgement, etc. What happened? Why do you think you reacted that way?

3. In the situation above, what might God be trying to teach you regarding humility? How can you act accordingly?

Leading like Moses

Main Thought

What is leadership? There are so many different opinions and definitions out there. One of the best ways to define leadership is to discover it in the lives of great leaders. Moses was arguably ancient Israel’s greatest leader. He was called by God to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt into God’s Promised Land. The journey was very difficult due to opponents, obstacles, and Moses’ own flaws. Yet Moses eventually positioned God’s people to inherit God’s promise. Through the life of Moses, we can learn this: “A Christian leader leads people through difficulty to a better place with God.”

Main Passages

7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey…

- Exodus 3:7-8

15 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

- Exodus 33:15-16

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:18-20

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. What kind of difficulties have you experienced while trying to lead?

3. Who do you lead (or who can you lead) on a regular basis? How can you honor God in that?

Faithful like Daniel

Main Thought

Daniel was a captive in Babylon from the land of Judah who lived around 600 BC. The ancient Babylonian Empire shared surprising similarities with our society. Values changed rapidly as people served “gods” that suited their goals. The pressure to conform was strong. Yet Daniel eventually emerged both as a prophet and as one of Babylon’s most powerful officials. How did Daniel go from being an oppressed captive to a government official? In a word, faithfulness. To be faithful means to be trustworthy, consistent, and reliable. Daniel faithfully lived out the values of humility, obedience to God, integrity, and service to others. God eventually protected Daniel when his political opponents tried to eliminate him. God has the power to protect us, and even prosper us, as we remain faithful to Him.

Main Passages

3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

- Daniel 6:3-4

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

- Daniel 6:10

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

- Galatians 6:9

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Can you think of an example of faithful leadership? What impact did that have on you and/or the world?

3. Think about your own faithfulness in the areas of humility, obedience to God, integrity, and service to others. In which of these areas are you strongest? In which of these areas can you improve most?