Primary Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

BIG IDEA: In Christ, believers are reborn, made new, and empowered to live like Jesus.

Message Focus: The consequences of sin left us with an existence separated from God and marked by self-centeredness, emptiness, guilt and shame. Salvation through faith in Jesus offers us reconciliation with God and a regenerated life of purpose, forgiveness and freedom. We may struggle with the influence and temptation of sin in our lives here on earth, the new life given by God’s Spirit at salvation means we are not bound to sin anymore! New life brings hope and growth in abundance.

Prompting Questions: What does “new creation” mean? How might you counsel a friend who confesses to you that they still struggle with a besetting sin even since coming to faith in Jesus? What are key characteristics between “the old” that has gone and “the new” that is here? Why is regeneration a helpful word/idea?

Cross References: John 3:3-8, Romans 8:8-13, Galatians 5:16-24, Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:3, Titus 3:5

Primary Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

BIG IDEA: In Christ, believers have a healthy relationship with God.

Focus: God’s perfection is the standard for righteousness and only He is truly righteous. Righteousness is one of God’s divine attributes, closely associated to His justice. Jesus is the only sinless one, the only righteous one and it is His righteousness that covers us at salvation. This is the Great Exchange: He took our sin, paid the price of death on the cross and gave us His perfect righteousness so we can have access to God.

Prompting Questions: How is the word righteous/ness understood through the Bible? Contrast an unhealthy relationship with God versus a healthy relationship with God. Looking at the Bible, how does a person receive righteousness?

Primary Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

BIG IDEA: Jesus welcomes children into the kingdom.

Focus: The disciples tried to keep parents from bothering Jesus with their children, but Jesus corrected them. Children are welcome in the kingdom of God. In fact, there is much we can learn about genuine faith from kids. This tugs on a thread: how we shepherd and care for kids in our church and community matters.

Prompting Questions: Why did the disciples rebuke the parents bringing children to Jesus? What do we have to learn from children about genuine faith and the kingdom of God? As a church, how will we support children’s ministry in a way that welcomes all families to discover the gospel and grow in it?