LifeGroup Notes
Big Idea
As a result of God reconciling us to Himself through the death of Christ on the cross, all who believe on the Lord Jesus by faith and accept God’s gift of salvation are given a new life. Jesus came to change the world. He came to make all things new. Those who come to faith in Christ are brand new creations. The old life that was bound to the penalty and power of sin is gone and a new life of freedom has begun in Christ.
OPEN
As we explore each element of our identity in Christ, Pastor David began in the place that makes the most sense; the Newness of Life! As He led us through Romans chapter 6 this week during the message, we will look at a complimentary passage that can help us see another side of the newness of life - Paul’s message to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
What jumped out at you from the message this week? What led you to really think or even better, to change your actions?
What jumped out at you from the video?
READ
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 18Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As a group, read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. What does Paul remind us in this passage?
What is one of the great doctrines of our faith?
What must we know before one comes to faith in Christ?
Who makes the first move between man and God in reconciliation?
What does reconciliation mean for us?
As we discuss reconciliation, what is the first thing we see?
If this is the same old body we had before and it’s still in the process of falling apart. How are we being made new?
What is the The second thing we see through reconciliation?
What is this new position that we are given?
What is the final thing we see in reconciliation?
So, what is our new responsibility?
Since Jesus is not physically on this earth during this age what is our responsibility?
LET’S PRAY
Consider the following questions as you pray together as a LifeGroup.
1. Have you been reconciled to God?
2. Have you been made new? Have you placed your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus?
3. If so, are you engaged in the ministry of reconciliation?
4. Are there things in your life that is standing in the way of you performing your responsibility as an ambassador of Jesus?