Shaped by Grace: Embracing Transformation Together

Devotional

Day 1: God is the Potter, We are the Clay

God lovingly shapes each of us for a unique purpose, inviting us to trust His hands even when the process is uncomfortable or unexpected. Like clay on the potter’s wheel, we may not always understand the form we are taking or the changes we undergo, but God’s intention is always to mold us into vessels that reflect His character and fulfill His calling. Sometimes, when our lives seem to fall apart or our plans are crushed, it is not a sign of failure but an opportunity for God to start anew, forming us into something even more beautiful and useful for His kingdom. Surrendering to His shaping means letting go of our own agendas and allowing Him to work in every area of our lives, knowing that His vision for us is greater than our own. [44:47]

Jeremiah 18:1-10 (NLT)
The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense God reshaping you, and how can you surrender your plans to trust His hands today?

Day 2: Embracing Our God-Given Purpose

Each person is created with a God-given purpose, and we are called to settle for nothing less than what God intends for us. It is easy to compare ourselves to others or to try to fit into molds that were never meant for us, but true fulfillment comes from allowing God to define our identity and direction. Just as a bowl is made to hold soup and a plate to serve a meal, we are designed for specific roles and callings that only we can fulfill. When we resist God’s shaping or try to become something we are not, we miss out on the joy and impact of living in our true purpose. God invites us to trust that His design for us is good, and to seek His guidance as we discover and walk in our calling. [53:29]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: What unique gifts or passions has God placed in you, and how might He be inviting you to use them for His purpose this week?

Day 3: God’s Grace Transforms Us, Not Our Own Effort

God does not require us to change before coming to Him, but He loves us too much to leave us unchanged. His grace meets us in our brokenness, our frustration, and our unfinished places, offering us the chance to be made new from the inside out. No matter how many times we feel like we have failed or fallen short, God’s invitation is always to come to the potter’s house and let Him put us back together again. The transformation He brings is not about our striving or perfection, but about receiving His love and allowing Him to work in us. As we open ourselves to His grace, we find healing, restoration, and the courage to step forward in faith. [01:00:28]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you feel broken or unfinished? How can you invite God’s grace to begin His transforming work there today?

Day 4: We Are Called to Bring Others to Jesus

Just as others have helped us encounter Jesus, we are called to bring those around us to Him—especially those who are hurting, searching, or far from God. The stories of the friends who carried the paralyzed man, the woman who reached for Jesus’ garment, Zacchaeus in the tree, and even Saul who became Paul, all remind us that God uses people and circumstances to draw others to Himself. Our role is not to fix or judge, but to show, tell, and share the love and hope of Jesus in practical ways. There are people in our lives right now who are longing for purpose, healing, or a fresh start, and God may be inviting us to be the ones who help them find their way to Him. [01:07:36]

Mark 2:3-5 (ESV)
And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Reflection: Who in your life is struggling or searching for hope, and what is one specific way you can help bring them closer to Jesus this week?

Day 5: Communion: Receiving and Extending God’s Grace

At the table of Holy Communion, we are reminded that Jesus is the host who welcomes all who need His grace, regardless of where they have been or what they have done. This sacred meal is not about our worthiness, but about Christ’s invitation to be made new and to receive His love. As we receive the bread and the cup, we remember that His body was broken and His blood was shed so that we could be shaped into His likeness and live in the fullness of His grace. We are then sent out to extend that same grace to others, inviting them to experience the transforming love of God. [01:16:16]

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Reflection: As you remember Christ’s sacrifice, how can you extend His grace to someone in your life who needs to know they are welcome at His table?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day of gratitude and celebration, especially as we honor grandparents—both those related by blood and those who have chosen to pour into the lives of others as spiritual grandparents. We recognize the legacy of love, wisdom, and faith that these individuals pass on, and we offer a special blessing for all who stand in the gap for the next generation. God’s goodness is evident in the way our community comes together, from the youngest children to the oldest saints, each playing a vital role in the family of God.

We are reminded through the story of Jeremiah and the potter’s house that God is continually at work shaping us for His purposes. Just as the potter molds the clay, sometimes starting over when the vessel doesn’t turn out as intended, so God lovingly forms and reforms us. Our plans may not always align with His, and the process of being shaped can be uncomfortable or even painful. Yet, God’s desire is not to leave us as we are, but to transform us into vessels that fulfill His unique purpose for our lives.

It is easy to become distracted by our own agendas or to compare ourselves to others, forgetting that our true calling is to be the clay, not the potter. We are invited to trust God’s hands, even when the shaping process is mysterious or challenging. The stories of those who encountered Jesus—whether broken, curious, desperate, or even resistant—remind us that transformation is possible for anyone who comes to the potter’s house. Our role is not only to allow God to shape us but also to help others find their way to Him, sharing the hope and grace we have received.

As we gather at the table of Holy Communion, we remember that God’s grace is available to all. We come as we are, but God loves us too much to leave us unchanged. Each of us has a God-given purpose, and as we receive His grace, we are invited to participate in His ongoing work of transformation—in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s shaping work is ongoing and purposeful. Like clay in the potter’s hands, we are continually being formed, sometimes through breaking and remaking, so that we can fulfill the unique purpose God has for us. This process may be uncomfortable, but it is always rooted in God’s love and vision for our lives. [44:47]
2. Our plans often differ from God’s, and surrender is essential. We may have detailed strategies and expectations, but true growth comes when we release control and allow God to redirect and reshape us, even when it means starting over or facing disappointment. The invitation is to trust the process, knowing that God’s wisdom surpasses our own. [55:39]
3. Transformation is not just for us, but for others through us. The stories of those who met Jesus—friends carrying the paralyzed man, the woman reaching for healing, Zacchaeus seeking to see—show that God often uses people as conduits of His grace. We are called to be attentive to those around us who are searching, hurting, or resistant, and to help guide them to the potter’s house. [62:49]
4. God’s grace meets us where we are, but never leaves us unchanged. We do not have to fix ourselves before coming to God; instead, we are invited to bring our brokenness, our confusion, and our unfinished stories. God’s love is so great that He welcomes us as we are, yet He is committed to transforming us into something new and beautiful. [59:53]
5. Communion is a living reminder of God’s inclusive, transforming grace. The table is open to all who need Jesus, symbolizing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. As we receive, we are reminded that we are part of a larger story—one in which God is continually shaping, healing, and sending us out to be vessels of His purpose in the world. [73:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Opening Words of Gratitude
[05:33] - Grandparents Day Blessing
[11:28] - Family Worship and Community Life
[17:32] - Prayer for Grandparents and Spiritual Mentors
[20:34] - Praising God’s Goodness
[41:51] - Introduction to Jeremiah 18
[43:05] - Waiting in God’s Presence
[43:43] - Reading: The Potter and the Clay
[45:38] - Jeremiah’s Calling and Our Distractions
[47:08] - Everyday Life and God’s Lessons
[48:38] - The Potter’s Process and Our Purpose
[51:37] - Who Are We: The Clay
[53:29] - God’s Purpose and Our Challenge
[55:39] - Surrendering Our Plans
[59:53] - The Invitation to the Potter’s House
[62:49] - Helping Others Find Their Purpose
[69:05] - Responding: Coming to the Table
[73:14] - Open Communion: Receiving Grace
[82:05] - Testimonies and Announcements
[94:08] - Final Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 18:1-10 (ESV) — The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.”

---

## Observation Questions

1. In Jeremiah 18:1-10, what does God ask Jeremiah to observe at the potter’s house, and what lesson does God draw from the potter’s actions?
2. According to the sermon, what are some ways God’s shaping process can feel uncomfortable or challenging for us? [[54:43]]
3. What examples did the pastor give of people in the Gospels who were brought to Jesus by others or who sought him out in their brokenness? [[01:02:49]]
4. How does the image of clay and potter help us understand our relationship with God? [[51:37]]

---

## Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean for us to be “clay” in God’s hands, and why is it important to remember that we are not the potter? [[53:29]]
2. The sermon mentioned that God sometimes “starts over” with the clay. What might this look like in a person’s life, and why would God choose to do this? [[44:47]]
3. How does surrendering our own plans and expectations allow God to shape us more fully? [[55:39]]
4. The pastor described how God’s grace meets us where we are but doesn’t leave us unchanged. Why is it significant that we don’t have to “fix ourselves” before coming to God? [[59:53]]

---

## Application Questions

1. The sermon highlighted the legacy of grandparents and spiritual mentors. Who has been a “spiritual grandparent” or mentor in your life, and how have they shaped your faith? Is there someone you could encourage or mentor in this season? [[20:34]]
2. Can you think of a time when your plans didn’t work out, but looking back, you can see how God was shaping you through that experience? How did you respond in the moment, and what would you do differently now? [[55:39]]
3. Are there areas in your life right now where you sense God is “remaking” or reshaping you? What is one step you can take to trust Him more in that process, even if it feels uncomfortable? [[54:43]]
4. The sermon gave examples of people who helped others find Jesus (like the friends who carried the paralyzed man). Who in your life might need help finding their way to God? What practical thing could you do this week to support or invite them? [[01:02:49]]
5. When you compare yourself to others, does it distract you from God’s unique purpose for you? What is one way you can focus more on being the “clay” and less on what others are doing? [[47:08]]
6. Communion was described as a reminder that God’s grace is for everyone and that we come as we are. How does this truth affect the way you approach God, especially when you feel broken or unworthy? [[01:13:14]]
7. The pastor said, “God loves us too much to leave us the same way we showed up at the potter’s house.” What is one area of your life where you hope to see God’s transforming work in the coming months? [[59:53]]

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion: — Invite group members to pray for one another, especially for those who feel they are in a season of being “reshaped” by God, and for opportunities to help others find their way to the Potter’s house.

Sermon Clips

When God wanted Jeremiah's attention, he called him to look around the most common things around him in everyday life. He sent him to the potter's house where the potter modeled taking clay, knowing its purpose before they started, its purpose is to be a cup or a bowl or a plate. And watching that potter work with that clay, mold that clay as it spins. Gently folding it, need a little bit more water with it, need a little bit more clay with it, need a little bit of this with it. [00:50:46] (45 seconds) #ShapedByThePotter

God is the potter who is wanting to shape us into our purpose, which is to look like the other cute bowls on sale at the latest Hobby Lobby, Target, Walmart, Amazon deal. To look like the stylized plates and bowls that we find that we have just the right design that we like. To look like him. Here is the challenge. Jeremiah had to be reminded who the potter was and who the clay was. [00:53:37] (49 seconds) #PurposeOverPerfection

The people of God in the time of Jeremiah, Israel, needed to be reminded they were created for a purpose and invited to settle for nothing less than the purposes of God. To settle for nothing less than who they were called to be. But the challenge is being shaped by God is sometimes not easy. True talk. [00:54:27] (38 seconds) #SurrenderToShape

``So I don't know where we are today. I don't know what's going on in life. I don't know what we're facing. But what I know is this. God is not done. And I know this. God loves us too much to leave us the same way we showed up at the potter's house. He doesn't ask us to change before we come. But he loves us enough to not leave us the same way when we're ready to step out. [00:59:59] (36 seconds) #WhoWillTellThem

Who's going to tell them? Who's going to show them? Who's going to share? Jesus is the way. [01:06:43] (72 seconds) #ClayNotPotter

Could it be the people who are looking for a fight might have something deeper going on, and they're just wondering, who's going to tell them? Who's going to show them? Who's going to share? Jesus is the way. [01:07:36] (18 seconds) #PurposeInYou

Do you remember what Jesus did? Peter, let me put you back on the right path. Peter, learn from what's happened. Let me reshape you and remember your purpose. Who is the Peter? Who is the Peter? Who is the lady with the issue of blood? Who is the Zacchaeus of your life? If God could do this much in us, what more could he do? [01:08:14] (47 seconds) #MiraclesInFaith

But you know, sometimes we forget that we're not called to be the potter. We're called to be the clay. And so my question today is, what is God forming in us? You have a purpose today. It is a God-given purpose. You matter and you have a purpose. [01:10:07] (28 seconds) #CreativeWitnessing

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the purpose of being shaped by God?

How can believers help others find their purpose?

What does Jeremiah's potter and clay analogy teach us?