Becoming Better
Series: Becoming…Transformed into the Image of Christ

God’s ________________ and desire is for us to ______________ in a __________________ of reshaping and conforming our character to __________________ the image of Christ.

Christ’s assistance—his ________________—is necessary to truly experience the kind of change that God desires in our lives.
• Romans 8:28-30
• John 15:4-5
• it yields _______________ in our lives.

Journey of Grace:
1. _______________________ grace
• God takes the initiative to reach out to us
2. _______________________ grace
• Ephesians 2:8-9
3. _______________________ grace
• ___________ _____________ for God’s use.
• _________________ occurs at the crisis point of ______________; _________________ happens at the crisis point of ________________.
• The ______________ is a life that is completely ________________ to God.
4. _______________________ grace
• An _________________ grace that _________________ us daily to live a better life and ______________ us through every challenge of life.

How do we begin the journey?
1. _______________ your need.
2. ________________ the Holy Spirit to begin ________________ you.
• Romans 12:1
3. _______________ to the lifelong reshaping _______________ of Christlikeness.

TALK IT OVER

Start talking.
• What’s something you’ve tried to change about yourself that was harder than you expected?
• Have you ever started something (diet, exercise, habit) strong but struggled to maintain it?

Start thinking:
• Why is self-discipline alone not enough to create lasting spiritual change?
• What does Jesus’ “vine and branches” illustration teach us about our dependence on Him?
• How is “fruit of the Spirit” different from just trying harder to be a better person?
• What’s the difference between saving grace and sanctifying grace?
• Pastor Troy said “salvation happens at repentance, sanctification happens at surrender.” What does that mean to you? Why is surrender such an important part of spiritual growth?
• Why do you think God chooses to grow us through a lifelong process instead of instant change?

Start Sharing:
• Have you ever felt stuck in the cycle of trying, failing, and feeling guilty? What did that look like?
• What areas of your life are hardest to fully surrender to God?
• What does “remaining in the vine” look like practically in your daily life?
• Where have you seen God slowly shaping you over time?
• Which of the three steps is hardest for you right now:
• Admit your need
• Invite the Spirit to reshape you
• Yield to the lifelong process
• What’s one area where you sense God still molding and shaping you?

Start Praying:
• Ask God to help you admit your need for Him
• Pray for hearts willing to fully surrender
• Ask the Holy Spirit to reshape your character
• Ask God to help you remain connected to Christ
• Pray for patience in the lifelong process of change
• Pray for freedom from guilt, shame, and frustration

Start Doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week
• Take time this week to honestly admit an area where you need God’s help. Spend a few minutes each day inviting the Holy Spirit to shape your heart.
• Identify one habit that helps you “remain in the vine” (prayer, Scripture, worship, etc.).
• Surrender one specific area of control to God this week.