KEEP YOUR FAITH NEW!

THE BIG IDEA: Keeping our faith new requires a continual “putting ” of the self, renewal in the spirit of our , and a continual “putting ” of the new self.

| Ephesians 4:17-32 |

Keeping the faith new: DAILY ACTIONS REQUIRED!

• Shave down the and keep a .

| Ephesians 4:18-19 | Jeremiah 17:9 | Psalm 19:4, 51:10-12 | Proverbs 4:23 |

• Let go of and and hold onto and .

| Ephesians 4:26-27 | Psalm 4:4 | Romans 12:18 | John 13:34-35 |

• Put off and put on -filled .

| Ephesians 4:29 | James 3:1-12 | Psalm 120:2 | Proverbs 10:20, 18:20 | 1 Peter 3:10-11 |

• God’s enough to a for else.

| Ephesians 4:20-21 | Psalm 119:11 | Hebrews 4:12 |

• When in doubt, live up to .

| Ephesians 4:30 | Philippians 1:27, 3:20 | Galatians 2:20 |

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

From Sunday’s message, what particular point stood out to you, challenged you, or raised a question for you?

The story of your life.

1. Other than your own body, what is the oldest thing you own that you fight to keep looking new?

2. On Sunday, Pastor Kyle talked about some of the daily actions involved in keeping our faith new. Building on these, what are some things you do to keep your Christianity alive and keep it from becoming rote, ritualistic, or routine?

Digging deeper in God’s Word.

1. Perhaps one of the best ways to keep our faith fresh is to cultivate a regular habit of confession before God. Whether it’s a big area when we really blew it or it’s just a small thing between us and Christ, confession is a vital gateway of intimacy between us and God. Written by King David after his infamous sin with Bathsheeba, Psalm 51:1–19 is one of the greatest confession psalms in the Bible. Read the entire thing together out loud and answer the following prompts.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap some of the main tenets of the passage.

   2. What does this passage tell us about God? Keeping our faith fresh? People and ourselves?

   3. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?

2. In the first several chapters of Revelation, Jesus gives specific words of encouragement/admonishment to seven different churches that existed at that time. Together, we will read two of them. First, go through Revelation 2:1-7 and answer the following prompts and questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap Jesus’ admonishments against this church as well as his encouragements towards them.

   2. What does this passage tell us about God? Keeping our faith fresh? People and ourselves?

   3. In light of this, is there anything you need to do differently?

   4. Repeat and respond to the prompts/questions from under #2, this time using Revelation 3:14-22.

3. If Jesus were delivering a letter of admonishment and encouragement to the condition of your faith, what do you think He would say?

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said in the discussion that struck a chord with you.

2. Break up into smaller groups and pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women).