I want to change.
That is, I feel like every couple of days I realize that I need to revise a part of myself or completely scrap it and start over. I am a sinful man to be sure. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard" (Romans 3:23 NLT).
Then in discouragement I go to God. I spend time in prayer, worship, and reading Scripture. I am eventually encouraged by my place as God's child through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" - John 3:16 (NASB).
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" - John 1:12-13 (NASB).

Yet I want more than to simply have eternal life. I want to live this eternal life to its fullest and serve God to the best of my ability.
Can you relate?
If you can there is an answer for us who want to change and become more like Christ TODAY.

"...we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" - Hebrews 10:10 (NASB).
First, brothers and sisters, if we desire to change we need to recognize that the power to be made more holy (sanctified) is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are both declared holy (justified) and made more holy (sanctified) through Jesus Christ.
But we work alongside of Jesus Christ's work in changing to be more like Him. We have the Holy Spirit to do His work and it is by His power that we work with Him. Secondly, we let our Heavenly Father's words transform our hearts and minds.
Jesus prayed to the Father "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17 NASB).
If you desire to become more like Jesus you need to spend time in Scripture and strive to understand Scripture.
Paul wrote "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2 NIV).
By soaking in Scripture we will be sanctified by the transforming of our minds.

It is my prayer that you and I can both say:
Yahweh, instead of meditating on my plans and regarding sinful ways "I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word." - Psalm 119:15-16 (NASB).
Lord, I want to press onward to know you more. I have been so distracted as of late and have not spent much time alone with You. Lord, I know I need You. I feel my need for You deep within the core of my being. My heart, soul, and mind crave and pant for you. I need you to survive so Lord I come to you now. I come to You not only because I love You but also because I need You and I need you to transform and CHANGE me.

Holy Father, sanctify me and my readers in Your truth.

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Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. 3rd ed. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

Getting Filled vs. Being Filled
Read: Ephesians 5:18-21
We have all been told to avoid things. What are some things that you have been told to avoid or not do?
When I was a sophomore in high school the first Transformers movie was released. My mom had read a review on it and there were a number of things she did not like about the movie. Suffice it to say I was told to not watch Transformers… even though a friend of mine wanted to watch it with me. It would have been easy for me to follow my mom’s instructions to avoid the movie but I decided to disobey and watch it. I disappointed my mom quite a bit with that decision.
We aren’t only told to avoid things in life. We are also told to do things. What are some things that you have been told to do?
I began working at Target Westminster as a sophomore in high school and stayed at that store for three years. I was always being told when I would work. What days and times and even what I would do. 20 of my hours of every week were planned by someone else. But I was told to do it and I did.
In v. 18 did Paul tell the Ephesian Christians to do something?
V. 18 (HCSB) “And don’t get drunk with wine, which ⌊leads to⌋ reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:”
He didn’t tell them to do something. Rather, he told them to be something. Then He lists things to do in vv. 19-21: sing to each other and to the Lord, thank God for everything, and submit to each other.
Why do you think Paul told these Christians to “be filled by the Spirit” (HCSB) before He told them some things to do?
If these Christians were not filled by the Spirit they could not do the other things properly.
Have you ever been told to be something?
Growing up I was often told to be an example for my younger siblings.
How difficult is it to be something? How do you go about becoming something?
Depends on what you want to become and how far away you are from it.
If you are a Christian you have already been submersed (baptized) in the Holy Spirit but Paul here tells us we need to be filled in order to follow the other commands. What do you think it means to be filled by the Holy Spirit?
Being submersed in the Spirit means that He is always with us and always available to us but being filled is letting the Holy Spirit consume us.
How do you think you can let the Holy Spirit fill you?
Be available to His work.
Do you think you can fill yourself with other things? If so, what other things are consuming you?
I often let my friendships consume my time and energy.

Abiding in the Culture:
“We’re shaped by the place and the manner in which we live. By living in a certain manner and in a certain place, we give permission for this shaping to take place, though most of us aren’t aware it’s happening.” (Jared C. Wilson in Abide).
In order to be moved by the Spirit you need to be available to the Holy Spirit. But by being available to the consuming nature of other things we push the Holy Spirit out of our lives and we make living for Christ even more difficult. Pretty soon Christianity just looks like a lot of Holy Homework rather than faith filled living.
Take a moment and reflect on what consumes you. Are you being consumed by anything other than the Holy Spirit? When has this happened and why? When have you been consumed by the Spirit? Why do you think that was?

Re-formation:
Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Imagine if Paul and Timothy had stopped writing after “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (NASB). What would be your reaction to a command like that without any hope?
I would probably spend most of my life trying to save myself from the consequences of my sin.
But Paul and Timothy did not stop there. They went on to write “for it is God who is at work in you…” (NASB). The command here was not to save ourselves but rather to work with God on demonstrating our willingness and service of faith. The Gospel is the message of God’s work in us by the blood of Jesus Christ!
“Often missing from my own spiritual formation attempts in the past was the central place of the good news of Jesus’ complete and sufficient work” (Jared C. Wilson in Abide).
We need to recognize that we are not working our way to God on our own. We are working with God to a better relationship. Your relationship with God and your availability to the Holy Spirit is a mutual effort.
The Gospel is our way out of the consuming cultural demands around us.

Sailing and Bearing:
“Being filled with the Spirit is like sailing. There are roughly 20 to 30 working parts on a sailboat, which means there are always plenty of tasks to accomplish when sailing. You will definitely break a sweat, and you have to stay attentive. But there is one thing you can’t control, and it makes all the difference in the world: the wind. You can hoist the sail, but only the wind can push a sailboat along.” (Jared C. Wilson in Abide).
Jesus used vines to illustrate the same thing. Probably because “the OT frequently uses the vineyard or the vine as a symbol for Israel, God’s covenant people… the OT prophets envisioned a time when God’s people would ‘blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit’ (Isaiah 27:6)” (ESV Study Bible; consult Isaiah 5:1-7 and 27:2-6).
Read: John 15:1-11
1) Pruned Branches (vv. 1-3)
Who do we need to abide in so that we can serve our Heavenly Father?
Jesus.
What allows us to “bear fruit” (NASB)?
God’s pruning. The Gospel (“the word which I have spoken to you” NASB) is what prunes us. If you are truly a Christian God has already prepared you to serve Him and He is using the same Gospel that brought you to salvation to continually prune and clean you.
2) Abiding in Jesus (vv. 4-7)
Are we the only one trying to “abide”? 
No, both Jesus and His followers must want to abide together: it is a mutual effort (see esp. v. 5).
3) Bearing Fruit (vv. 8-11)[1]
Jesus does not want your faith to be nothing but holy homework (see vv. 10-11). “Obedience is not to be equated with drudgery; it is all about joy” (ESV Study Bible).
Fruit comes from abiding (v. 6) and abiding comes from bearing fruit (v. 10). See, this isn’t something we can even try to do on our own. Abiding in Christ, being filled with the Spirit, and working with God is something we do with God. We prime the parts of our spiritual sailboats and wait for the Spirit’s wind to propel us forward.

Applying Abiding:
Do you want to abide in Christ?
Do you want to be filled with the Spirit?
Do you want to work right beside God?
Are you pushing away unnecessary things that are filling you and distracting you from Christ?
Are you sitting in God’s presence all the time, waiting for Him to move you, change you, and work through you as He wants?
Get out a piece of paper and a pen or open up a word processor and make a list of what has been consuming you. Then write or type out how you can be filled with God instead of those unsatisfying things. If you are being consumed by something other than God you may or may not have to eliminate it from your life. The point isn’t to throw out the entertainment, sporting event, education, or social life (etc.) but rather to keep it from consuming you. Inside of you, replace the selfish endeavors with the presence and power of God.

[1] If you are confused about the translation “and so become my disciples” (NASB footnote) read John 8:31.
John 8:31 (NKJV) “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.’”
“Fruit bearing is evidence of being true believers, or being Jesus’ disciples” (ESV Study Bible).

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The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009.

Wilson, Jared C. Abide: Practicing Kingdom Rhythms in a Consumer Culture. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2010. 9-11. Print.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

What is “peace”?
Take a moment to think about that. You may find that peace seems to be a more nebulous concept than you once thought.
What do you think “peace” means in Scripture? In the Old Testament? In the New Testament?

Peace for the Jews who wrote the Old Testament was embodied by the word “shalom”. Shalom “had a much richer connotation than the English word does since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God (e.g., Num. 6:24–26; cf. Ps. 29:11; Hag. 2:9, and also, as a result, the idea that “all is well” in one’s life).”[1]

The most common word translated “peace” in the New Testament is the word “eirēnē”. Eirēnē can mean to be free from worry and undisturbed.

By examining these Hebrew and Greek words as well as looking at some passages in Scripture perhaps we can learn a little bit more about peace than just a feeling of being calm and serene.

When in your life have you been lacking peace?
When have you had peace?
If you have peace now how do you keep it?
If you don’t have peace how can you get it?

We Have Peace Because We Have Faith
Where does a Christian’s peace come from?
Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”[2]
“The word ‘therefore’ reaches back to the contents of chapter four—therefore being justified [‘made right in God’s sight’ (NLT)], not by works (1–8), not by ordinances (9–12), not by law obedience (13–25), but by faith, we have peace. The first three never give peace to the soul. Faith does.”[3]
In this passage we see “peace” (Greek “eirēnē”) referring to a ceasing of warfare. Only through faith are we made right with God. Without peace with God we cannot receive the fullness of peace in freedom from worry or blessings.
What does St. Paul tell us in this passage comes with divine peace?
A joyful looking forward to sharing God’s glory!

We Have Jesus’ Gift of Peace
Read: John 14:25-33
Can we have peace without knowing what Jesus has said to us?
Vv. 26-27 (NASB) “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My [Jesus’] name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”[4]
It appears here that the Holy Spirit’s assistance and teaching comes with peace.
“In all the turmoil and heartache of leaving them, Jesus gives his friends his peace. ‘Peace’ is the everyday Jewish greeting — ‘shalom’. But Jesus doesn’t use the word lightly. He gives them God’s own peace; the settled conviction that God is in control, and that all will be well.”[5]

We Have Peace in the Presence of Christ
Read: John 16:23-33
How strong does the disciple’s faith appear in this passage?
How does Jesus respond to their degree of faith?
What would the disciples find in the midst of the trials they were soon to face?
“Note the contrast between ‘in Me’ and ‘in the world.’ In Christ there is peace; in the world there is tribulation. This is the position we need to claim: we are in Christ, and therefore we can overcome the world and all of its hatred…. ‘In Me’ is the key. In ourselves, we have nothing; but ‘in Christ’ we have all that we need.”[6]

Application
What do you do when times get rough? How do you respond?
How do you think you should respond?
During trials we should concentrate on increasing our faith and living in the presence of Jesus.

Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
“The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.”[7]

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[1] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008). 2053.

[2] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ro 5:1–2.

[3] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997). Ro 5:1.

[4] New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995). Jn 14:26–27.

[5] Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001). 521.

[6] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996). Jn 16:29.

[7] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ps 29:11.

Who has been your favorite teacher (at school or church)?
Why was he or she your teacher your favorite?                 
Did you do well in your favorite teacher’s class?
Why do you think that was?

Luke 6:40 (NASB) “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”
Jesus wants to fully train us to be like him.
As disciples of Christ we are flowers, students, and learners of Jesus. Yet, becoming "fully trained" and like Him means a bit more than simply professing Christ. We are not disciples of Jesus simply because we SAY we are.
Besides being a follower, learner, and student of Jesus what else do you think a disciple is?

1) A Disciple Continues in Jesus’ Words
John 8:31-32 (NASB)  "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

2) A Disciple Acts on Jesus’ Words
John 15:8 (NASB) “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

3) A Disciple Loves as Jesus Loved
John 13:34-35 (NASB) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Can you think of any other commands in the Bible to love?
The command to love one’s neighbor was not new (see Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5); the newness was found in loving one another as Jesus had loved his disciples (cf. John 13:1; 15:13).
Based on John 13:1 and 15:13 how did Jesus love His disciples?
How can we love in this way?
In light of Jesus’ subsequent death, “just as” (ESV) implies a love that is even willing to lay down one’s life for another (see 15:13).

4) A Disciple Self Sacrifices Outwardly
Luke 14:27 (NASB) “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
Jesus sacrificed His life publically in service to His father and out of love for His brothers and sisters.

Based on these verses are you living like a disciple?
If not where do you need to improve?
How can you do so?
Let God train you. Luke 6:40 (NASB) “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

John 8:1-11 (NASB)

“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?’ They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.’” [1]

                There is definitely something different about Jesus- when we expose our sins and our insecurities to Him, He offers acceptance and love- though he is not going to be soft on sin either.  

               Jesus Christ is the one person we can trust to always offer us this kind of open accepting relationship.  He asks us to come clean with Him, to admit our condition and our inadequacies rather than trying to impress Him with our goodness.

               When we come clean with Him and come empty handed, not holding anything back, He responds with acceptance, which is a gift he gave us because He paid for our sins on the cross and gave us his purity in its place so that we can stand before God.

               We can accept each other without guilt and shame because we know we are not perfect and that Christ died for us.  As His followers we are called to hold each other accountable, not by selfishly judging, but by encouraging one another, bearing with one another, and guiding each other toward a greater love and a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is our prayer that this is what our group is about.

[1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995). Jn 8:1–11.