Dying to Live
September 10, 2023

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?” —Matthew 16:24-26


Jesus invites us to embrace our

and put our to death.

“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” —Matthew 16:24

There are aspects of the

within all people.

There are aspects of the

within all people.

“Sin is a fundamental stance of wanting to be what we are not.” —James Finley

“Through the Spirit, put to death the misdeeds of the body.” —Romans 8:13

“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” —Matthew 16:24

When we

our lives with Jesus, we are embracing our .

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” —John 14:6

“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” —Matthew 16:24

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?” —Matthew 16:25-26


For further study:
Scripture: Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24
Resources: “Merton’s Palace of Nowhere” by James Finley

Community Group Guide:
How do you define the true self and false self?
How can you recognize aspects of your false self?
What are ways you have denied your false self and “put it to death?”
How can you recognize the aspects of your true self?
What are ways that you have cultivated these aspects of your life?
How does the alignment with our true self fulfill New Circle’s mission?

To prepare for next week: Read and meditate on Matthew 17