We believe that spiritual growth happens when we live a life in rhythm of hearing God's Word and following His instruction. There are five key areas of this that we believe are crucial for spiritual growth in the life of a believer. Those areas are: Know God, Follow christ, Live Connected, Serve Others, Make Disciples.

For each of these rhythms, we developed 5 questions to help us gauge and focus on living in rhythm with God and His Word. Consider asking yourself these questions daily.

▸ Did I spend time today in God's Word? What did I learn?
▸ Did I take a step of faith today - whether big or small?
▸ Who did I strengthen or support today?
▸ What need did I meet today?
▸ Who did I point toward Jesus today?

▸ This Is Our God - Phil Wickham
▸ The Father's House - Cory Asbury
▸ Only A Holy God - CityAlight

MESSAGE SUMMARY:
You might have heard someone say, “Nobody expects you to be perfect.” Yet Jesus tells us we are called to be perfect (Matthew 5:48). This can seem impossible, until we realize that perfection is not a prize to achieve—it’s a promise to receive.
Being made perfect is a process in which we become more like Jesus so we can love God and others the same way Jesus does.


❓Quick-Talk: (if you only have a few minutes)
▸ What did you think of the message?
▸ Was there anything you disagreed with?
▸ What stood out or resonated with you?
▸ How can you live in light of this truth?

❓Start-Talking:
▸ How have you been prioritizing holiness over happiness this week?
▸ What’s a task that always makes you feel accomplished when you finish it?

❓Verse-Talk:
Read Matthew 5:48
▸ What is your first thought or feeling after reading this verse?
Read Matthew 11:28-30
▸ What can you learn from this passage?
▸ How can these verses influence the way you think about being perfect? What do you think it means for Jesus' burden to be light?

❓Share-talk:
▸ Talk about any ways you've seen perfection as a prize to achieve. How can you find freedom by viewing it as a promise to receive?
▸ What pride of you need to remove?
▸ What grace do you need to receive?
▸ What step of obedience do you need to take?

🦶Action-Steps:
▸ This week, Identify one area of your life where you need to remove pride. This week, take a step to receive God's grace in that area. Talk to someone in your group about what God is calling you to do. Pray for one another and check in with each other as encouragement to follow God's will.
▸ Who is one person in your life that might need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? Name them, pray for them, and connect with them.
▸ Go through the Bible plan below on your own or with your group this week.


Memory Verse: 📖
Matthew 5:48 NIV
"Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect."

You have decided to dedicate your life to following Jesus! Congratulations! We want to be the first ones to celebrate and welcome you to the family! You may be wondering; what's next? Here's some next steps to take!

◼︎Tell someone!
We would love to celebrate with you and provide you with some guidance on this new journey!
For a new believer's guide, grab the communication card in front of you and fill it out, or please send an email to jphillips@thecrossingfellowship.com
or send a text to: 1-833-241-1997

◼︎Read your Bible
God's Word provides direction and instruction for living the life that He created us to live. Need help finding where to start? Check out this plan on the YouVersion Bible App
(https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/21482)

◼︎Begin talking to God through prayer
Prayer is just a conversation with God. Tell Him your hurts, struggles, good things, bad things, concerns, etc... He want's to hear it ALL!

◼︎Connect with a life group
Life is hard. Why make it harder by trying to navigate it on your own? Connect with others to help you along your way.
Click here to find a group
https://bit.ly/3bb9BTb