chevron-leftchevron-right-+crossclosefacebook-bwGroup 15instagram-bwmenuNew Tabtwitter-bwyoutube-bw
facebook-bw twitter-bw instagram-bw youtube-bw menu close - +

The Hope of Change

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6:5

Watch Week One: Is Change Really Possible?

The gospel changes everything.

Whether you have followed Jesus for a few days or followed him for thirty years, you know that he is our hope and our salvation. But when you wake up and look in the mirror each day, how do you change into a person who lives and looks more like Jesus? How does your day-to-day spiritual growth happen?

This is where we’re headed with this six-week study. And let’s be clear. This isn’t a self-help study. There’s no checklist of things for you to strike off that will take you from point A to point B. The gospel is what changes you. The work of the Holy Spirt in your life changes you. So, what does it look like to let the gospel transform you every day? We’re going to discover that we don’t work for our salvation. We work out our salvation.

becoming like Jesus

There is a big word we use for working out our salvation called sanctification. It just means the process of becoming more like Jesus every single day. We love him. We have a relationship with him. Now how do we live like him?

We want to change, but we cannot do it our own. Does that make you feel free or like a failure? For those of us who like control and being able to do everything on our own, the need for help feels uncomfortable. But an artist does not stare at his paint brushes and expect them to create by themselves. He picks them up. He combines them with paint. He cleans them. He creates. In the same way, the Holy Spirit works in us and through us. Another one of our studies, Enjoying Jesus, states: “Jesus doesn’t call us to simply put his teaching into practice by our own willpower. If we try to do that, we will fail. We will be utterly unprepared to turn the other cheek or to love our enemy if we haven’t spent time with Christ in the unseen, everyday things.”

We were made to reflect our savior, but we don’t do that on our own. We become more like Jesus when we surrender and let him work in us. You are his creation, and he has a great plan in mind for you. When you get to know him more, it becomes so much easier to see that his way for you is better than your own way. Take a deep breath knowing that.

There is hope. You can change because Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit changes you. Praise be to God. Hope is alive.

Share

Leader Guide

Download

Learn More

About IF:Equip

Go Back

The Power to Change

Daily Question

What are your hopes for this study? What would you like be different by the end?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments (10)

I want to believe that Christ makes me new and my worth will never change. I am secure in Him. I want to leave the self-hatred, hurt and self-pity at the foot of the cross. I want to grieve the hurt while letting my spirit heal and learn to rejoice.

I would love to grow in knowing that some things aren’t in my control & to feel that gods help is something I would want every single day. I want to know that I am secure in him.

I hope to become a person that can see good in everything even though it may be a difficult time or even if I am joyful always being grateful and giving GOD all the glory and praise. I would like to break away from bondage, break the chains of anger, controlling, jealously, letting go of the past, moving forward with my life in a good way and to be able to have a healthy relationship and learn to be content.

To see more in my rearview mirror. To progress further up the mountain. For those around me to see and feel the difference Jesus has made in my heart and life.

I hope that surrendering to His plan will come more and more naturally to me. With practice and intention, that I would be pliable to the Holy Spirit’s work in me.

I’d like to be able to see some sort of progress. I feel like I’ve been in the same spot for basically all the years of having my children (10 years now). It’s time to grow up and on.

Sanctification. Walking and living in the Spirit. To live in the freedom of the grace and gospel of Jesus. I have lots of head knowledge and I serve well. I need to love well. I want to see my heart begin the transformation process of loving well. Loving like Jesus.

My hopes are to spend more time with God and in turn be able to hear him more clearly, not just when I’m having quiet time, but when life is loud too.

The working of God in my life and the element of choice.
How much responsibility to I have with initiating or choosing the right action, decision, or attitude, as flawed as they may be? I believe God meets me where I am in whatever choice I make but my decisions at the moment determine my progress in my walk.

The Holy Spirit can change me, make me aware of the now instead of after.
I want to be aware of the need for change While the circumstance is happening instead of trying to change what I have already done
You can’t take back

Have questions?

We've got answers.

View Our FAQs

Thank you to our study partner