The Process: Change Part 1

 Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Materials:

*Bible (if you don’t have a Bible yet you can download it to your phone, tablet, or to your computer online)

*Notebook

*Pen/s

*Highlighter/s

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:18  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

If there is one thing that is stable in this world that is CHANGE. Some people accepted it wholeheartedly while others are struggling to accept it in their lives. In our spiritual journey as we glorify God, there are also many changes in our lives.  God changes us little by little. When Christ came here on Earth there are many changes. On those changes, Christ prepared His disciples and people.

What are those changes? 

1. Jesus Change the Way Thru the Father

 In the Old Testament, God used prophets to connect to His people. But when Jesus came, He built a way between God and people. (John 14:6)

2. Jesus Change the Way to Communicate with God

 In the Old Testament, people cannot directly talk to God. They can only communicate with God thru prophets and priests in the temple. But when Jesus came, He taught us how to pray (Matthew 6:5-14). People don't need to go to someone to talk to God. Because we can directly pray and talk to God every time, everywhere, and every moment of our lives. If you have thanksgiving you can easily pray to God, when you sin you can directly repent to God, and when you want to talk to God because of what is happening to your life you can run to Him easily.

3. The Death of Jesus on the Cross Torn the Viel

When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple was torn into two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:50-51).  Jesus didn't only die for our sins but also made a way for all people. Before only the Israelites have all the privileges spiritually and Gentiles are considered as outsiders. When Christ died on the cross, He tore the veil so everyone is welcome in God's presence and anyone can come to God without worrying about their future.

Our Spiritual Walk Process Helps Us to Change

Many people misinterpret that being a Christian are many restrictions. If you are new to faith don't worry about how to stop your vices and addictions, and your heart, and if you have any hurts, anxieties, depression, and traumas that's alright because God is near to those who are brokenhearted. "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18)". When we focus on our spiritual walk to God little by little we will change according to God's plan for us. I just want to share with you my testimony before my life is chaotic when I was in my college years. My parents saw me as the worst even though I'm going to church back then they didn't see that I'm changing. Until one day when I started working and when God remove all toxic people in my life, my parents see changes in me. Change is not a blink of an eye. We don't prove to people that we change. Let God continually works on your life. 

When we are in the process of change we are in a vulnerable state. Why? Because the enemy works also to bring us back to the world. When the enemy tries to break your spiritual growth run to our Heavenly Father to strengthen us to continue our walk. While we are here on Earth change still continues. The change will only end when we are already in Heaven with God eternally.

To God Be All The Glory!

 

The Importance of Spiritual Growth

 Memory Verse: 2 Peter 1:2, “ May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” ESV

Materials:

*Bible (if you don’t have a Bible yet you can download it to your phone, tablet, or to your computer online)

*Notebook

*Pen/s

*Highlighter/s

Key  Verses: 2 Peter 1:2-11, 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What should we do for us to grow spiritually?

1. knowledge (v.1)

    As Christians, we need to know more about who God is. Christianity is not a myth or just a religion. It is a truth from God. The more we understand who God is the more grace and peace will increase.

2. His Divine power (v.2)

Jesus Christ's power sustain every believer in our weaknesses. (Matt. 24:30, Mark 5:30, Luke 4:14,5:17, Rom.1:4, 2Cor. 12:9)

3. godliness (v.3)

    What godliness is?

• live peacefully (1 Tim.2:2)
• Exercising ourselves to godliness (1 Tim. 4:7)
• Truth (Titus 1:1)

            *Knowledge of Him 

                    Knowing who Jesus Christ is in our lives and putting our faith in Him.

            *Called us to His own glory and excellence

                        1 Peter 1:15 - We are called to be Holy.

             *We are called to persevere. 

                        1 Peter 2:21 - We are called to suffer and endure in our Christian walk.

                        1 Peter 5:10 - After suffering we are also called to His Eternal glory.

    We are called to witness who Jesus Christ is and what He has done on the cross. We are called to save lost souls and bring them to Jesus Christ. This is to give glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

4. We are partakers of the divine nature and escaped from corruption (v.4)

    When we are born again we are already partakers, we are imperishable thru the Word of God.  Knowing God and asking for wisdom from Him so no one can corrupt us and fall to sin.

5. for this very reason (v.5)

•  make every effort  
• We are called to work on our faith for us to grow in Jesus Christ as He works in our life.
• supplement your faith
• For us to grow spiritually we need to nourish our spirit thru prayers and reading our Bible.

Growing spiritually we need to practice our virtues thru the knowledge of the Word of God.     

6. self-control (v.6)

As Christians, we are set apart in this world. We should discipline ourselves on worldly desires. (1Cor. 9:27; Gal. 5:23)    For us to practice self-control, we need to be steadfast in the Word of God and in prayer.

 7. brotherly affection (v.7)

 We are called to love one another as we grow spiritually. Our brethren in Christ also help us to grow our faith in Jesus Christ.

8. ineffective (v.8)

As we walk in Christ let our faith in God be our breath in everything we do.

9. these qualities (v.9)

• near sighted~ blind We should not lack what is mentioned above for us to grow spiritually. A Christian must be aware also the condition of his/her spiritual growth and the assurance of his/her salvation.
• forgotten The importance of spiritual growth is to nourish our soul and to remind us that we are the children of God. So, the enemy cannot deceive us and there will be no room for fear and doubt.

10. make your calling and election sure (v.10)

• Our salvation is secure. As children of God, no one can take away our salvation.
• never fall As we pursue Christ in our lives we will become more fruitful in our spiritual walk. We will never fall on enemies' deception and life challenges.

11. richly provided for you an entrance into the Eternal Kingdom (v.11)

 As we grow spiritually here on Earth and pursue Christlikeness we will be rewarded abundantly in Heaven. (1 Cor. 4:5; Rev. 22:12)

Spiritual Growth: God's Word

Key & Memory Verse: 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Materials:

*Bible (if you don’t have a Bible yet you can download to your phone, tablet or to your computer online)

*Notebook

*Pen/s

*Highlighter/s

Welcome to God’s Family!

After receiving Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. Our next step is getting to know more about our Saviour. As a child of God, we didn’t only nourish our body (Matthew 04:04) but also our spirit. How can we do that? By reading our Bible daily. 

Why it is important to read our Bible? 

• The Word of God is our weapon against the enemy 

• Our Guide in life, 

• We can find peace and comfort thru His Word 

• and, to know more about Christ

We communicate to God thru prayers, while God communicating to us thru His Word. Sometimes when I have a problem after I pray and when I open my Bible and there is one or two verses that I now that He is talking to me thru His Word. When you are reading God’s Word it is your personal time with God. It is between you and God. The more you read God’s Word the more you also know Him. 

The Bible is our compass on this earth to guide us and also God’s love letter to us.