Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Monday: Read Matthew 3:17. What do you remember (or what have you heard) about your baptism? How does your baptism still hold special meaning in your life today?

Tuesday: Read Psalm 2:7. As one of the quoted verses from the Old Testament in the New Testament, this verse reminds us of the divinity of Jesus as God's Son. What do you think it means for Jesus to hear at age 30 at His baptism, God the Father say, "You are my Son?" What does it mean for you to hear at your age, God the Father say, "You are my child?"

Wednesday: Read Romans 1:7. As you think about your life in God's family, how have you seen God's grace and peace at work in your life? Through your life?

Thursday: Read Isaiah 42:1. What does this verse tell you about why Jesus came to this earth? How has God been leading you to serve others and bring God's justice to others?

Friday: Read 1 Peter 1:3. What is Peter's source for "living hope?" How does such "living hope" in Jesus fuel your life? Where do you need an extra measure of that hope at work in your life today?

Saturday: Read Hebrews 10:24-25. When you think of the phrase, "Create for Community" what comes to mind? As we get ready for our congregational meeting on Sunday, January 15, pray for God to guide us in His purpose in building community in and through our congregation.

 You can GO DEEPER this week by:

• Reading the book The Me I Want To Be: Becoming God's Best Version Of You by John Ortberg.
• Praying this week A Prayer for a Hopeful Vision.
• Start the The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan (PDF).
• Download the YouVersion Bible Application on your smartphone or tablet.

 You can also listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.

Read Hebrews 10:23-25. Look at the four qualities of a Connection group. Where is that type of group in your life?

How are those four areas being met?

How are you helping someone else meet those four areas in your life?

Read Ephesians 2:10. Dallas Willard has a great quote about grace, "Grace is opposed to earning, not effort."

If we are not saved by works in verse 9, how does grace interact with "to do good works" in verse 10?

What good works is He calling you to do?

Read Ephesians 2:8-9. These great verses describe how God brings us in a relationship with Him. Totally His work. Totally His gift.

Why is salvation not by works?

What would be different if salvation were by works?

What happens to boasting then?

What reminds you of how great it is to be saved by God's grace/His gift?

Read Ephesians 2:5-7. What are the three "with" verbs Paul uses here in verses 5-6?

How does verse 7 reveal the reason why?

Read Ephesians 2:4-5. Instead of continuing his line of thought that we are "objects of wrath," Paul describes God moving in an entirely different direction.

How does Paul describe God's approach to us in vs. 4?

What does that mean for your life right now?

Read Ephesians 2:1-3. Sin brings death. God brings life. Where is sin leaving you feeling dead today? What "cravings" is Satan using to pull you away from God?