READ
Ephesians 2

REFLECT

• What was the last new pair of shoes or new piece of clothing that you received?
• How did you feel the first time you put it on?

Remember last time we  talked about your old/new shoes. Paul addresses this topic in Eph. 2:1-5 and describes our old self, like the taking off and putting on of clothes. The Greek word he uses is literally translated as “putting off”.  So once we put off our old clothes/self, Paul tells us to put on our new self.
When you surrendered your life to Jesus, everything changed.  The “new” self is a change from evil to good by the Spirit of God. He is the one who changes the individual. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. He gives us a new heart which gives us a new nature and a new outlook on life. With this new outlook we are to begin thinking like Jesus, and when we think like Jesus we begin to act like him too!
When we get brand new clothes we want to wear them.  We don’t like to go back to the old clothes from before. Who ever heard of buying brand new shorts only to put them in the drawer never to be worn?  We want to wear them and show them off!
The old self will try and pull you back down, lying to you and telling you that nothing has changed… that  you are still the same old person with the same old habits and sins. But look at what Jesus says:
You:

• …are a child of the King (Eph. 1:5)
• …are holy and blameless (1:4)
• …have obtained an inheritance in heaven (1:10)
• …have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (1:13)
• …have been saved by God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (2:10)
• …have access to God through Christ (2:18)

We also see where the bible says that you are “an object of God’s love” (1 John 3:1), “joint heir with Jesus” (Romans 8:17), and “a child of the King” (Romans 8:15)

DISCUSSION

1. What are ways that you see your old self/habits trying to pull you in the opposite direction, away from God?
2. What are some ways that you can combat those urges or temptations and to remain walking with the Lord?

SKILL WORK
Are you in an accountability group?
“What is an accountability group,” you may ask. An accountability group is a group of believers who ask the tough questions and hold you accountable to your walk with the Lord. Questions like “Have you read your bible today?” “Have you shared your story with an unbeliever?” “Have you looked at anything immoral?” I challenge you to find an accountability group and join!