Connect What changes might you need to make to grow in godliness and holiness?

Warm-Up

1. What are you most thankful for in 2023? What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
2. Do you usually make New Year’s resolutions? If so, what do they typically focus on? If not, why not?
3. Why do you think people are often attracted to the idea of New Year’s resolutions? How do we get a ‘new start’ when we become Christians? 

Read Romans 12:1-2

4. What is—and what is the significance—of the first word of verse 1? What has Paul been explaining and working through in chapters 1 through 11? 
5. What does Paul mean by ‘in view of God’s mercy’? If we respond in view of God’s mercy, how is this liberating news? What does it mean that we don’t need to strive for our salvation? 
6. What does Paul say we should offer ourselves as? What does this actually mean?
7. How are we living sacrifices (think about how this is unlike and like the sacrificial system)?
8. What does ‘holy’ and ‘pleasing’ mean? How can offering ourselves be an act of worship?
9. What are some practical ways that you offer your life as a living sacrifice? 
10. How comprehensively are we to offer ourselves as living sacrifices? What areas do you find challenging?
11. How continuous is the process of offering ourselves as a living sacrifice? What helps you do this?
12. How does this rhythm of life involve both not conforming and being transformed?
13. Why is it important to recognise that we’re impressionable and that we live amidst a sea of influence?
14. How challenging do you find it to not conform to the pattern of the world? Are there particular areas that you find most challenging? Or have these challenges changed over your life?
15. How does ‘nonconformity’ involve both a ‘resistance’ and a ‘removal’ of things?
16. How has God equipped us to discern and be transformed?
17. What does it mean to be transformed by the renewal of your mind? What helps you to focus on Jesus, grow in your understanding of the Gospel, and plumb the depths and marvel at the beauty of God?
18. Is there anything in particular in 2024 that would help you cooperate more with the Spirit’s work of transforming you through the renewal of your mind (and indeed, your ‘all’)?

Apply Would this New Year’s Rhythm be helpful for you in 2024? How could you put it into daily practice?

On Your Front Line this Week

How can you bring grace and love to your interactions and transactions this week?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen: “Everyone with a Gift” by Timothy Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/everyone-with-a-gift/‍
• Listen: “A New Year’s Message” by John Stott: https://allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=214208&show_file=227517‍
• Listen: “We’ll Conform no Longer” by Chris Wright: https://allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=50843&show_file=55522‍
• Read: “Why me make New Year’s Resolutions” via LICC: https://licc.org.uk/resources/new-resolutions/‍
• Read: “What are Your New Year’s Resolutions About?” by Natasha Moore: https://www.publicchristianity.org/what-are-your-new-years-resolutions-about/

Series Resources

• Read: “Rejoice: Advent in all the Scriptures” by Chris Wright & John Stott: https://bit.ly/46GUMi1  
• Read: “Advent (Fullness of Time Series)” by Tish Harrison Warren: https://bit.ly/3uGoy9r  
• Read: “The God who Became Human” by Graham Cole. https://bit.ly/3g68RBj  
• Read: “On the Incarnation” by Athanasius. https://bit.ly/3E5gLmB  
• Read: “Is Christmas Unbelievable” by Rebecca McLaughlin. https://bit.ly/3E6X79K  
• Watch: “The Word Becomes Human” by the Bible Project. https://bit.ly/3UEL8HB  ‍
• Listen: A Carols Playlist (curated by the St Bart’s staff team): https://spoti.fi/3OaJsTK