Embracing Change: Faith, Growth, and Transformation
Summary
Change is woven into the very fabric of our creation. God formed us from dust, not stone, which means we are made to be adaptable, resilient, and open to transformation throughout our lives. As we journey through seasons of change, we often begin with a sense of crisis or loss, wrestling with emotions like fear, doubt, excitement, or sadness. These feelings are not obstacles to be ignored but invitations to process and move forward. At a pivotal moment, we face a choice: to retreat into the comfort of the familiar or to step out in faith toward something new, even if it feels uncertain.
The story of Peter stepping out of the boat onto the stormy sea is a powerful image of this process. While the other disciples stayed in the boat, Peter dared to walk toward Jesus, experiencing both the thrill of faith and the sinking feeling of doubt. Yet, Jesus was there to lift him up, just as he is present with us when we falter. This story reminds us that Jesus never forces anyone to change or understand; he offers opportunities and encouragement, but the choice to step forward is always ours.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus clarified God’s intentions, challenging rigid traditions and inviting people into deeper understanding. He never coerced belief or transformation, respecting each person’s free will. Again and again, those who reached out in faith—like the woman who touched his garment or Cornelius seeking God—were met with blessing and affirmation. The invitation to step out in faith is ongoing, both for individuals and for communities.
As the world changes, so must our methods of living out our mission. The call to make disciples and share God’s love remains, but the ways we do so must adapt to new contexts and technologies. Like Paul and John Wesley, who used every available means to reach people, we are called to be creative and courageous, letting go of what no longer serves and embracing new ways to connect with those seeking God. By stepping into the final phase of change—understanding and integration—we grow in generosity, contentment, and the ability to share Christ’s love with a changing world.
Key Takeaways
- Change is part of God’s design for us. We are not made of stone but of dust, which means we are created to be flexible and resilient. This gives us the capacity to adapt, grow, and be reshaped throughout our lives, even when change feels uncomfortable or uncertain. [00:32]
- Emotions are essential in the process of transformation. Before we can move forward, we must acknowledge and process the full range of emotions that come with change—whether excitement, anger, or sadness. These emotions are not barriers but necessary companions on the journey toward something new. [01:31]
- Faith requires stepping out, not just staying safe. Like Peter, we are invited to step out of the boat, even when the waters are stormy. Taking risks in faith may lead to moments of doubt or failure, but Jesus is always present to lift us up and encourage us to keep moving forward. [03:00]
- Jesus never forces transformation; he invites and encourages. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus respects people’s free will, offering opportunities for growth but never coercing understanding or change. Our willingness to step forward is essential, and God honors those who reach out in faith. [04:08]
- Mission must guide our methods, not the other way around. As the world changes, we are called to adapt our approaches to sharing God’s love, focusing on the mission rather than clinging to outdated methods. By being open to the Spirit’s guidance, we can find new ways to connect with those seeking Christ today. [09:39]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Created for Change: From Dust, Not Stone
[01:31] - The Emotional Journey of Change
[02:15] - Crisis, Loss, and the Decision Point
[03:00] - Peter Walks on Water: Faith and Doubt
[04:08] - Jesus Clarifies, Not Forces
[05:10] - Free Will in the Process of Change
[06:29] - Taking the Next Step: Faith in Action
[07:26] - The Invitation to Try Something New
[08:10] - Mission Over Methods: Adapting to Change
[09:39] - Paul, Wesley, and Creative Ministry
[10:45] - Where Are We Stuck?
[11:20] - Praying for the Spirit’s Guidance
[12:05] - Stepping Into Integration and Blessing
[12:30] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Stepping Out in Faith: Embracing Change with Jesus"
---
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 14:22-33 – Peter Walks on Water
*(Main text: Peter steps out of the boat to walk toward Jesus on the water)*
2. Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Commission
*(Jesus calls his followers to make disciples of all nations)*
3. Luke 8:43-48 – The Woman Who Touched Jesus’ Garment
*(A woman reaches out in faith and is healed)*
---
### Observation Questions
1. In the story of Peter walking on water, what was the reaction of the other disciples when they saw Jesus on the water? What did Peter do differently from the others?
[[03:00]]
2. According to the sermon, how did Jesus respond when Peter began to sink?
[[03:00]]
3. What does Jesus say to his followers in Matthew 28:18-20 about their mission? Does he give them specific instructions on how to do it?
[[07:26]]
4. In the story of the woman who touched Jesus’ garment, what action did she take, and how did Jesus respond to her?
[[06:29]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter was the only disciple who stepped out of the boat? What might have been going through his mind, and what does this say about faith and risk?
[[03:00]]
2. The sermon says that Jesus never forces anyone to change or understand, but always invites and encourages. Why is this important for how we think about our own spiritual growth and the way we relate to others?
[[04:08]]
3. The Great Commission gives a clear mission but not a specific method. What might be the reason Jesus left the “how” open-ended? How does this relate to the need for change and adaptation in the church?
[[07:26]]
4. The woman who touched Jesus’ garment and Cornelius both reached out in faith and were met with blessing. What does this suggest about the relationship between taking initiative in faith and experiencing God’s work in our lives?
[[06:29]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says we are made from dust, not stone, meaning we are created to be adaptable and open to change. Think about a recent change in your life—did you resist it or embrace it? What helped or hindered you in that process?
[[00:32]]
2. When facing change, the sermon highlights the importance of processing our emotions instead of ignoring them. What emotions do you usually feel when something in your life changes? How do you typically deal with those emotions?
[[01:31]]
3. Like Peter, we are sometimes called to step out of the boat and take a risk in faith. Is there an area in your life right now where you sense God inviting you to step out, even if it feels scary or uncertain? What would it look like to take that first step?
[[03:00]]
4. The sermon points out that Jesus never forces transformation but invites us to take the next step. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you feel stuck or hesitant to move forward? What might be holding you back?
[[04:08]]
5. As a church, we are challenged to focus on our mission rather than clinging to old methods. Are there traditions or ways of doing things in your faith or church life that you feel might need to change to better reach people today? How do you feel about letting go of those things?
[[09:39]]
6. The examples of Paul and John Wesley show creativity in sharing the gospel. What is one new way you could try to connect with someone about faith this week—maybe using technology, a new conversation, or a different approach?
[[09:39]]
7. The sermon ends by encouraging us to pray for the Spirit’s guidance as we step into new things. What is one specific area where you need God’s guidance right now? How can the group pray for you as you take a step in faith?
[[11:20]]
---
Closing Prayer:
Invite group members to share prayer requests related to change, courage, and stepping out in faith. Pray for openness to the Spirit’s guidance and for boldness to embrace new opportunities God brings.
Devotional
Day 1: Stepping Out in Faith Like Peter
Change often requires us to step out of our comfort zones, just as Peter did when he left the safety of the boat to walk toward Jesus on the water. While the other disciples stayed behind, Peter’s willingness to try something new—even though he faltered—shows that faith is not about never doubting, but about being willing to take the first step. When we step out in faith, even if we stumble, Jesus is there to support us, lift us up, and guide us safely to shore. The journey of change is not about perfection, but about trusting Jesus enough to move forward, knowing He will meet us in our moments of uncertainty. [01:31]
Matthew 14:25-33 (ESV)
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to step out in faith, even if it feels risky or uncertain?
Day 2: Embracing Free Will in the Process of Change
God does not force us to change or to understand; instead, He gives us the freedom to choose whether to move forward or return to what is familiar. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus invites people into new ways of living and thinking, but He never coerces them—He respects their free will, even when they walk away. This means that as we face changes in our own lives, we are invited to participate willingly, trusting that God honors our choices and patiently waits for us to take the next step when we are ready. [04:08]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel stuck between holding on to the familiar and choosing to move forward with God? What would it look like to choose life and growth today?
Day 3: God Blesses Those Who Reach Out
Time and again, Scripture shows that when people reach out to Jesus in faith—like the woman who touched His garment or Cornelius seeking knowledge—God responds with blessing, healing, and encouragement. Taking the initiative to seek God, ask questions, or try something new is met with divine support and affirmation. As we reach out in our own journeys, we can trust that God sees our efforts and honors our faith, even when our steps feel small or uncertain. [07:26]
Luke 8:43-48 (ESV)
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to reach out to God or others in faith, trusting that God will meet you there?
Day 4: Focusing on Mission Over Methods
Jesus’ Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations, but He does not prescribe a single method for doing so. As times, cultures, and technologies change, the church is called to focus on the mission rather than clinging to outdated methods. Being open to new ways of connecting with people and sharing God’s love ensures that the message of Jesus remains vibrant and relevant for each generation. [09:39]
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Reflection: In what ways might God be inviting you or your church community to try new approaches to sharing His love and making disciples?
Day 5: Trusting the Holy Spirit to Guide Us Through Change
As we face personal and communal transitions, we are called to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, courage, and creativity. The Spirit empowers us to move from discomfort and doubt into a new phase of understanding and integration, where we grow in generosity, contentment, and connection with others. Trusting the Spirit means being willing to take bold steps, confident that God is leading us into new life and new opportunities to share Christ’s love. [12:05]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you through a current change, and what new thing might God be doing in your life right now?
Quotes
God did not make us out of stone like the ten commandments but rather God used dust from dust to dust we are formed and we return which means we have the capability to change we are adaptable we are flexible we are resilient. Our hearts can change, our minds can change, our bodies can change throughout our lives. [00:00:26] (23 seconds)
Today we want to talk about what about the last section of change, where we move into a place of understanding and integration where we make the new a regular part of our life and for this we have to take a step in a new direction step out in faith step out in hope. [00:01:58] (23 seconds)
Peter jumps out. He is faithfully walking on water for a little bit, and then he starts to sink. Doubt takes over. Jesus takes care of everyone. Jesus lifts Peter up. Jesus gets everyone to shore. Those are the core elements of this story. [00:03:40] (18 seconds)
As you read through the gospels and you see Jesus interacting with people whether it's the disciples or crowds of people Jesus is sharing his message with a lot of people. Jesus came to fulfill the law. Jesus came to clarify the plan that God had for God's people that Moses first shared with God's people. [00:04:18] (26 seconds)
Time after time, people reach out and God blesses them and acknowledges their faith. So what does that mean for our lives today? Today, each one of us personally has an invitation from Jesus to try something new. [00:07:34] (19 seconds)
We have to take a step we have to step out in faith we have to step out in hope we have to try new things as a congregation living in a world that seems to be changing radically as far as what organized religion looks like and how people interact with churches in our community. [00:08:09] (22 seconds)
Paul spoke about this in his writings that he was willing to become all things to all people in order to bring the message of Jesus Christ to them. I am sure if Paul were here today, he would be all over TikTok, all over Instagram, all over YouTube, and he would be doing things in a different way. [00:10:14] (19 seconds)
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