HOME BIBLE STUDY Week December, 4h * * * * Fellowship (10min) Prayer requests (5 min) Prayer (5 min) Bible Study (30/40min)

New Wine in New Skins Part II Read Matthew 9:14-17. Pr. Mike Helton continues the series on the new wine, started last week. In today's lesson, see what attitude is expected by the new wine believer and make an self-assessment of your emotions and motives. 1. RESPONSIBILITY IS TAKEN FOR PERSONAL GROWTH As we studied last week, the Holy Spirit is the main agent in the transformation of our life. However, we also emphasized that we have our part, our responsibility. And we come back to this point today. As in the process of fermentation of wine, your interior will be changed as you submit yourself to the work of the Comforter. SERMON HIGHLIGHT Immaturity is over-laid by hunger for maturity. Focus shifts from what has been done to me to where/who is Christ in me. There are no few times when we are tempted to focus on the adversities, circumstances and trials we face. However, we should have other posture facing tribulations and tests. Read Psalm 27.11-14 and answer: Based on v. 12, what attitude is to drive my mindset during hard times: being teachable or blaming myself and/or other people? What does mean to be teachable? Share with your group one hard situation in your life in the last year in which you learned important lessons. Explain shortly the situation and the lessons you learned.

A. W. Tozer wrote about the meek man: He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is, in the sight of God, more important than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto.

2. PERSONAL HEALING SOUGHT WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS You don't have to walk alone when you are hurt. You can receive help and orientation of wise and trained people. Personal healing is sought, using counselors, coaches, mentors where necessary. They can be found in your family, church or in a counseling clinic -above all, seek help with a Biblical and Christ-centered source. Relate the rule to the respective statement1: 1) 2) 3) Counselor Coach Mentor

____ In spite of your issues, I see God's purpose working in you and I will walk with you to see that purpose brought to life." Focus on the future. ____ Let's deal with your issues." Work with the past, looking to the present and into the future. ____ Get over your issues; move on; do thus and thus." Focus on the present and how to overcome the problem. 3. EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVES AND BE HONEST WITH YOUR EMOTIONS Read Psalm 139:23-24. Theses verses encourage openness before the Lord. An opportune time to be very honest is when you are in your personal devotional moment, specifically in your prayer time. There, hidden matters of the heart are laid opened before the Lord. You may ask: Lord, show me why I do what I do; why I respond the way I respond. Sometimes, a biblical passage leads you to confront your behavior, motivations or emotions. Write down attitudes or emotions you don't like and you want to see changed. Keep this study with you and pray over the matters God is bringing to your mind during this time. Seek the help of an accountability partner with whom you can share your victories, needs and seek counseling in a regular basis. _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ CONCLUSION Look to the blessings you enjoy in your daily path. Always remember that God is the provider of all blessings, and He loves you to enjoy all of them (1 Timothy 6:17). Then, having given due regard to our own responsibilities, we rest in Him as He does what only He can do and thus new wine in new wine skins is readied for the new season. 1 Addition adapted from Mentoring, Coaching, and Counseling: Toward A Common Understanding, available in http://www.cgsc.edu/repository/dcl_Mentoring.pdf