Embracing Transformation Through Community and Holy Habits

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we reflected on the journey of our community, Become New, which began during a challenging period in my life. It was a time marked by personal and professional upheaval, leading to the creation of this ministry. The idea was born out of a need to continue serving and connecting with others, even when traditional paths seemed closed. With the encouragement of friends and the use of technology, we started small, sharing daily devotionals that have since grown into a vibrant community.

We discussed the origins of Become New, which started with a Christmas series called "Unprecedented," highlighting that while many events in our lives feel unique, the true unprecedented event was the incarnation of Christ. This perspective has been a guiding light for us, reminding us that our circumstances, no matter how daunting, are not beyond the scope of God's understanding and presence.

Our journey has been one of learning and adapting, from figuring out the technical aspects of video production to engaging with a growing audience. We've explored various series, such as "Ashes to Beauty" and "Renovation of the Heart," each designed to delve deeper into spiritual formation and personal growth. These series have not only been transformative for our audience but have also deeply impacted those of us creating them.

Looking ahead, we are excited about new opportunities to support leaders in ministry, recognizing the unique challenges they face. We aim to provide resources that nurture their spiritual and personal development, ensuring they are equipped to lead with integrity and resilience.

As we close this chapter and look forward to the new year, we are reminded of the importance of habits in shaping our lives. Our upcoming series will focus on cultivating holy habits, drawing from both ancient wisdom and contemporary insights. This journey is about more than just personal growth; it's about fostering a community where we can all experience life with God together.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Community: In times of personal and professional upheaval, community becomes a lifeline. Our journey with Become New began in such a time, highlighting the importance of connection and shared experiences in navigating life's challenges. [06:12]

2. Unprecedented Perspective: While many events in our lives feel unique, the true unprecedented event is the incarnation of Christ. This perspective helps us reframe our circumstances, understanding that they are not beyond God's presence and understanding. [07:44]

3. Transformation Through Vulnerability: The story of the man with the withered hand teaches us that vulnerability and honesty about our weaknesses can lead to profound transformation. It's in our inadequacies that we often find God's power most present. [13:45]

4. The Role of Habits: Our lives are largely shaped by our habits. As we look to the new year, focusing on cultivating holy habits can lead to significant spiritual growth and transformation, drawing from both ancient wisdom and modern insights. [27:49]

5. Supporting Leaders: There is a unique weight to leadership in ministry, and it's crucial to support leaders in their spiritual and personal development. By focusing on who they are becoming, leaders can better serve their communities with integrity and resilience. [24:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:52] - Checking Connections
- [01:23] - Weather Chat
- [03:20] - Favorite Christmas Movies
- [05:12] - Starting the Conversation
- [05:58] - Origins of Become New
- [07:30] - Early Days and Challenges
- [09:08] - Community Growth
- [10:39] - First Episode Reflections
- [12:27] - Fellowship of the Withered Hand
- [16:06] - Series Highlights
- [18:14] - Engaging the Community
- [22:50] - Speaking to Leaders
- [26:29] - Closing Thoughts
- [29:44] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
2. Mark 3:1-5 - The story of the man with the withered hand.
3. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the circumstances that led to the creation of the "Become New" community? How did personal and professional challenges play a role in its inception? [06:12]

2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the incarnation of Christ as the true "unprecedented" event? [07:44]

3. What is the story of the man with the withered hand, and how does it relate to the theme of vulnerability and transformation? [13:45]

4. What role do habits play in shaping our spiritual lives according to the sermon? [27:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of community as a lifeline during times of upheaval resonate with the biblical idea of the church as a body of believers? [06:12]

2. In what ways does the incarnation of Christ provide a framework for understanding our own life challenges and God's presence in them? [07:44]

3. How does the story of the man with the withered hand illustrate the power of vulnerability in experiencing God's transformation? [13:45]

4. What insights can be drawn from the sermon about the importance of cultivating holy habits for spiritual growth and transformation? [27:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when community played a crucial role in your life during a challenging period. How can you be more intentional about building and nurturing community in your current circumstances? [06:12]

2. How can the perspective of the incarnation as the true "unprecedented" event help you reframe your current life challenges? What steps can you take to remind yourself of God's presence in your daily life? [07:44]

3. Consider an area of your life where you feel vulnerable or inadequate. How can you bring this area into the light and invite God's transformative power into it? [13:45]

4. Identify one habit that you would like to cultivate in the new year to enhance your spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take to establish this habit in your daily routine? [27:49]

5. If you are in a leadership position, how can you focus on your personal and spiritual development to better serve your community with integrity and resilience? [24:29]

6. How can you support the leaders in your community, recognizing the unique challenges they face? What specific actions can you take to encourage and uplift them? [24:29]

7. Reflect on the upcoming series about cultivating holy habits. What is one ancient wisdom or contemporary insight that you can incorporate into your life to foster a deeper relationship with God? [27:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Community as a Lifeline
In times of upheaval, community serves as a vital support system, offering connection and shared experiences that help navigate life's challenges. The journey of Become New began during a period of personal and professional turmoil, highlighting the importance of community in providing encouragement and a sense of belonging. This community was born out of a need to continue serving and connecting with others, even when traditional paths seemed closed. Through the use of technology and the encouragement of friends, a small group sharing daily devotionals has grown into a vibrant community. This growth underscores the power of community to transform lives and provide a lifeline in difficult times. [06:12]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement, and how can you make this a regular practice?


Day 2: Reframing Our Circumstances
While many events in our lives feel unique and overwhelming, the true unprecedented event is the incarnation of Christ. This perspective helps us reframe our circumstances, understanding that they are not beyond God's presence and understanding. By focusing on the incarnation, we are reminded that God is intimately involved in our lives and that no situation is too daunting for His understanding. This perspective serves as a guiding light, helping us navigate life's challenges with faith and trust in God's presence. [07:44]

Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.'"

Reflection: What current challenge in your life can you reframe by remembering God's presence and the unprecedented event of Christ's incarnation?


Day 3: Transformation Through Vulnerability
The story of the man with the withered hand teaches us that vulnerability and honesty about our weaknesses can lead to profound transformation. It's in our inadequacies that we often find God's power most present. By acknowledging our weaknesses and being open about them, we create space for God's transformative work in our lives. This vulnerability allows us to experience God's grace and power in ways we might not have imagined, leading to personal and spiritual growth. [13:45]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: What is one area of weakness you can bring before God today, asking Him to transform it into a source of strength?


Day 4: The Impact of Holy Habits
Our lives are largely shaped by our habits. As we look to the new year, focusing on cultivating holy habits can lead to significant spiritual growth and transformation. Drawing from both ancient wisdom and modern insights, these habits help us align our lives with God's purposes and experience deeper communion with Him. By intentionally developing habits that nurture our spiritual lives, we can create a foundation for ongoing growth and transformation. [27:49]

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Reflection: What is one holy habit you can begin cultivating today to deepen your relationship with God?


Day 5: Supporting Leaders with Integrity
There is a unique weight to leadership in ministry, and it's crucial to support leaders in their spiritual and personal development. By focusing on who they are becoming, leaders can better serve their communities with integrity and resilience. Recognizing the challenges leaders face, it's important to provide resources and encouragement that nurture their growth and well-being. This support enables leaders to lead with authenticity and strength, positively impacting their communities. [24:29]

1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

Reflection: How can you support a leader in your community today, offering encouragement and resources to help them lead with integrity?

Quotes


It was a time marked by personal and professional upheaval, leading to the creation of this ministry. The idea was born out of a need to continue serving and connecting with others, even when traditional paths seemed closed. With the encouragement of friends and the use of technology, we started small, sharing daily devotionals that have since grown into a vibrant community. [00:06:09]

The story where Jesus is in a synagogue and there's a man with a withered hand, and Jesus tells him to stretch out his hand. The one thing that the man most wanted to hide, would have felt the most shame around, is the thing that gets exposed publicly. And the one thing that he can't do, stretch out your hand, is the very thing Jesus asked him to do. [00:13:35]

I think because of the pain that we have been through, it makes it possible to meet with lots of people who are courageous, vulnerable, willing to share their pain, their journey. That's the whole kind of Fellowship of the withered hand. And so, no, being alone with that camera and God has been very, very moving. [00:12:27]

The true unprecedented event was the incarnation of Christ. This perspective has been a guiding light for us, reminding us that our circumstances, no matter how daunting, are not beyond the scope of God's understanding and presence. [00:07:44]

The main thing God gets out of my life is the person that I'm becoming. So to look at what's researched around how do you flourish in Ministry and how to cast that Vision, teach it, a very devoted to that, and we're looking together at how we could do that more and more in the future. [00:24:29]

Our lives are largely shaped by our habits. As we look to the new year, focusing on cultivating holy habits can lead to significant spiritual growth and transformation, drawing from both ancient wisdom and modern insights. [00:27:49]

I think this whole message brings us back to you, oh, that's what life is about. I mean, for me, John 21 has just been at the center of almost every day the last three years. Somebody's going to lead you to where you do not want to go, follow me. And nobody preaches on that, but that's what Jesus said to somebody he loved very much. [00:15:45]

The power of God becomes present, and then I told about how 30 years ago I was in Ethiopia with a pastor friend who told that story, and somehow there was a breakthrough with, at that time, Underground church leaders in a Marxist country, where they all became a fellowship of the withered hand. Confession, inadequacy, tears, and great power. [00:14:21]

I think you speak really well to that intersection of spiritual formation, spiritual life, and Leadership. And I think especially in Ministry, probably you could say this with lots of different occupations, but there's a special kind of weight to it. And I think so much of what John teaches helps us to hold that in the right way and in the right place. [00:25:02]

I think somehow the reason this community feels powerful, at least to me, is life is about life with God, and somehow we all mediate that for each other in a strange, mysterious, wonderful way. And we experience being with each other where God is part of that. So thank you. [00:29:44]

I pray especially right now for everybody who's hurting, for everybody who's wounded, who everybody is feeling alone or where there is an empty chair around the table this year at Christmas time, especially for them, especially for us, that you would be deeply present, that you would fill that hole in the heart that only you can feel. [00:29:44]

To want God is the most important thing, and part of what's tricky with wanting is I have to get honest about what do I want because the honest truth is often I don't want God more than anything else, but I can want to want God. And this Series has been a great reminder of that. [00:27:49]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?