Reflect

(cont.)

Take-Home Study Guide

Ready
Read: Ephesians 4:17-24 Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 Meditate & Memorize: be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

Do you find yourself being able to stop doing bad things but struggle to start being merciful, generous, sacrificial, etc. which are all Christ-like traits we should put on? Or perhaps you can put on a good show, doing good deeds and being kind, but in secret and in your heart you are no different than you old self. Is this you? Identifying your weakness and being self-aware is key to sanctification. Do you have trouble identifying what you need to put off and put on? Most of us do. This is one of the reasons God called us into a body (church) of people who are also putting off and putting on. Through the proclaimed Word within corporate worship and the accountability found within Community Groups, God often displays for us our weakness, strengthening our sanctification, which is Gods righteousness and holiness.

Receive
As we saw last week, the old nature (v. 22) is to be put off, and Christians are to be renewed. Greek has two adjectives for new: kainos, which means new in the sense of fresh and distinctive, and neos, which means new in the sense of young. Here in v. 23 we have the verb from neos, which thus implies putting off the decrepitude of the old nature and the regaining of undying youth. The present tense emphasizes further that what is required, and made possible in Christ, is continuous renewal. The place of this constant renewal or rejuvenation is the spirit of their minds. Because the decay was initiated by the futility of minds alienated from God, the reversal of the process must begin with the renewal of the mind. Such renewal in the mind (Rom. 12:2) or in the spirit of the mind is possible by the indwelling of the Spirit of God. Only then will there be a new way of thinking resulting in a new way of life. Now in v. 24 kainos, the second word for new, is used; for in the place of the old nature, characterized by selfishness and sin, and bound by evil and its consequences, there is the new nature which is Gods creation (see on 2:10, 15; and cf. 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Col. 3:10; Titus 3:5). The put on literally implies a decisive act, putting on this God-created, Godgiven life, as it has already implied the decisive putting off of the old. The two truths of this verse and the last need to be kept before the Christian.

Respond
Spend time this week praying for God to show and/or confirm areas of your life where you need to put off. o Things you may need to put off: o Pride with work or family, gossip at work or church, greed with money or laziness with time. Spend time this week praying for God to show and/or confirm areas of your life where you need to put on. o Things you may need to put on: o Love for those you dont have to love, mercy for those who dont deserve it, grace that covers your sins and theirs.

Reflect
Use this sermon-based study guide as you lead your family in worship, do your morning devotions, talk in your community groups, or in any other way that might help you know Christ more fully.. ~ Pastor Brandon

In Pauls letter we see that the Christian is to put off AND put on. Most Christians find one easier to do than the other. Which is it for you? Continued

Reflect

(cont.)

Take-Home Study Guide

Ready
Read: Ephesians 4:17-24 Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 Meditate & Memorize: be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

Do you find yourself being able to stop doing bad things but struggle to start being merciful, generous, sacrificial, etc. which are all Christ-like traits we should put on? Or perhaps you can put on a good show, doing good deeds and being kind, but in secret and in your heart you are no different than you old self. Is this you? Identifying your weakness and being self-aware is key to sanctification. Do you have trouble identifying what you need to put off and put on? Most of us do. This is one of the reasons God called us into a body (church) of people who are also putting off and putting on. Through the proclaimed Word within corporate worship and the accountability found within Community Groups, God often displays for us our weakness, strengthening our sanctification, which is Gods righteousness and holiness.

Receive
As we saw last week, the old nature (v. 22) is to be put off, and Christians are to be renewed. Greek has two adjectives for new: kainos, which means new in the sense of fresh and distinctive, and neos, which means new in the sense of young. Here in v. 23 we have the verb from neos, which thus implies putting off the decrepitude of the old nature and the regaining of undying youth. The present tense emphasizes further that what is required, and made possible in Christ, is continuous renewal. The place of this constant renewal or rejuvenation is the spirit of their minds. Because the decay was initiated by the futility of minds alienated from God, the reversal of the process must begin with the renewal of the mind. Such renewal in the mind (Rom. 12:2) or in the spirit of the mind is possible by the indwelling of the Spirit of God. Only then will there be a new way of thinking resulting in a new way of life. Now in v. 24 kainos, the second word for new, is used; for in the place of the old nature, characterized by selfishness and sin, and bound by evil and its consequences, there is the new nature which is Gods creation (see on 2:10, 15; and cf. 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Col. 3:10; Titus 3:5). The put on literally implies a decisive act, putting on this God-created, Godgiven life, as it has already implied the decisive putting off of the old. The two truths of this verse and the last need to be kept before the Christian.

Respond
Spend time this week praying for God to show and/or confirm areas of your life where you need to put off. o Things you may need to put off: o Pride with work or family, gossip at work or church, greed with money or laziness with time. Spend time this week praying for God to show and/or confirm areas of your life where you need to put on. o Things you may need to put on: o Love for those you dont have to love, mercy for those who dont deserve it, grace that covers your sins and theirs.

Reflect
Use this sermon-based study guide as you lead your family in worship, do your morning devotions, talk in your community groups, or in any other way that might help you know Christ more fully.. ~ Pastor Brandon

In Pauls letter we see that the Christian is to put off AND put on. Most Christians find one easier to do than the other. Which is it for you? Continuted