Repent
 
1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
 
Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
 
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
 
Release
 
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
 
Find Freedom
 
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
 
Isaiah 6:6-8
6 A seraph flew over to me. He was holding a hot coal. He had used tongs to take it from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with the coal. He said, “This has touched your lips. Your guilt has been taken away. Your sin has been paid for.”8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord. He said, “Who will I send? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
What do you need to leave behind in 2020 to be ready for 2021? In what areas of your life do you feel like you have settled into what’s comfortable? In what ways do you feel God’s calling you to step out in faith to say “yes” to Him, to further advance His kingdom in this new year?

Read the Christmas story from Luke 1:26-38, 2:8-18, Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-11. In these passages we read about how Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men each said “yes” to God. If you were in their shoes, would you have said “yes” to what God was asking of you? Why or why not? What were the consequences (positive or negative) that could result from their “yes”?

Read Matthew 22:37-39, 25:31-46 and 28:18-20. What do these passages say about what God has called us to do? What excuses do we make to not live out the Great Commission? What are excuses we make to not treat our neighbors as ourselves?

Read Mark 1:15. If you repent of something, it is because you want to turn in a new direction. If we believe in the Good News, the Gospel, Jesus will enhance our lives. What do you need to repent of and release to be able to fully find freedom in Jesus Christ?

Gather in small groups and prayer for each other.