DNA - Christ-likeness
Main Point: Northgate facilitates lifelong spiritual growth in followers of Jesus.
Spiritual growth is a lifelong process, not a one-time procedure.
Spiritual growth inevitably happens; the direction depends on our choices.
- Where will we lay down roots?
- Where will we seek nourishment?
- How will we respond to adversity?
Will we trust our Creator to cultivate our full potential?
“Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you – the part that chooses – into something a little different than it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing into a heavenly creature or a hellish creature; either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with fellow creatures, and with itself.” —C. S. Lewis
John 14:15-17, 23-27
“Peace I leave with you; peace I give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (v. 27)
A different kind of comparison
- A different kind of conformity
- A different kind of completeness
A different kind of comparison
Philippians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
A different kind of conformity
Romans 8:28-31
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
“Spiritual formation is a process of being conformed to the image of Christ, a journey into becoming persons of compassion, persons who forgive, persons who care deeply for others and the world, persons who offer themselves to God to become agents of divine grace in the lives of others and their world – in brief, persons who love and serve and Jesus did.” —M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.
A different kind of completeness
The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. – Psalm 23:1
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
“Don’t tell me what you believe in. I’ll observe how you behave and I will make my own determination.” —Alex Trebek
Takeaway: The call to Christlikeness is an invitation to be our true selves, fully loved and empowered to be the best possible version of who God made us to be.
Discussion Questions:
1. Is there someone in your family that you resemble physically (either overall or certain characteristics)? How do you feel about that, and why?
2. Is there someone in your life that you resemble in personality and/or style? How did the similarities happen – did you find each other because you had those things in common, or have you become more alike as your relationship has developed?
3. How can you and your family/friends encourage each to be more like Christ?
Table Discussion Question: What are your best and worst traits? What do you know about Jesus that you could begin to imitate while inviting and allowing God to do the inner renovations necessary to truly transform those worst traits into wonderful ones?