series artseries art

How to Experience the New Thing

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. ISAIAH 43:19 NLT

One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” MATTHEW 9:14-17 NLT

CHANGE IS THE PROCESS GOD USES TO BRING NEW

WHEN I DON’T CHANGE, I DISRUPT WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO

I MUST GET REAL: WHERE AM I RESISTING CHANGE?

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ACTS 7:51 NIV

I MUST LET GO OF THE OLD

…throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. EPHESIANS 4:22 NLT

Old wineskins look like:

“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?… ISAIAH 43:18-19 NLT

Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. EPHESIANS 4:24 NLT

I MUST EMBRACE WHAT IS NEW

Embracing what is new looks like being willing to make room.

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to reflect with God, your Creator. Take a few deep breaths and invite Him to guide you. God is always making things new. How has God been at work doing something new in your life? Whether that process has challenged or encouraged you, praise Him for His active presence in your life and for what He has done or is doing right now. Change can be difficult. Do you tend to embrace change, resist it, or tolerate it? Think about a time you were resistant to change. Invite God to show you how your resistance affected your faith, your attitude or your relationship with Him and others. Did something have to change in you so that you could better embrace change? What did you learn about yourself or about how God can work through change for your good? Ask God to show you if there are any old ways you’re holding onto that could be disrupting the new things He wants to do in and through you. Invite the Holy Spirit to usher you toward the new, helping you release control and trust God through change. Pray that through that experience you’d experience growth and joy as you anticipate both God at work and what’s to come.

Discussion Questions

For our Matthew series, we’re offering two options for discussing the sermon and Scripture. Choose option A or B to guide your group’s discussion time.

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

1. Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 9:14-17 (NLT) out loud.

2. Explore the Theme. What are the main points or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity? Consider the other passages referenced in the sermon notes in your discussion.

3. Apply the Lesson. How do we apply these passages to our lives today? What from the passage might God be encouraging or challenging you in?

4. Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on what you learned?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What in your life is new and exciting?
  2. START HERE: What change in your life felt hard at first, but now you’re grateful?
  3. START HERE: Does the idea that God wants to do something new in your life excite you or make you uneasy? Why do you think you respond to change in that way?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 9:14-17 (NLT). Jesus uses the image of new wine in old wineskins. What is He telling us about following Him through change?
  5. KEEP GOING: Why do you think following Jesus requires flexibility? What does flexibility look like in your day-to-day life?
  6. KEEP GOING: What are some reasons people resist change, even when they sense God is in it?
  7. KEEP GOING: What's at risk when we choose not to change?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Read Isaiah 43:19 (NLT). Is there an area of your life where God has made it evident that He wants to do something new, but you're resistant?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: What's one way you can make room for new opportunities or change in your life? Is there something “old” you need to give up first?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: How can your experience navigating change equip you to encourage or support someone else as God works in their life?