God Makes All Things New [A New Season] Discussion Guide

Summary
Jonathan begins a new series about how God makes all things new, focusing on Isaiah 43:18-19 where God tells His people to not focus on how He moved in the past because He's about to do something new. The sermon explores how God doesn't want us to limit Him based on past experiences, using Jesus' teaching about new wine and new wineskins from Mark 2. Jonathan emphasizes that difficult seasons often serve as God's preparation ground for new things, and that true transformation comes through a new heart given by God's Spirit. The message concludes with an invitation to join the pastoral team in a January fast to seek God's direction for the new season ahead.

Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather together today, we thank You for bringing us into this new season and for Your faithfulness in every chapter of our lives. We invite Your Holy Spirit to transform our minds and hearts as we study Your Word together. Help us to have open ears to hear Your invitation and the faith to respond. Show us what we need to let go of and what new paths we need to take. Guide our discussion today and help us to trust You with the unknown, knowing that Your plans are for our good and Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker
What's one new thing you're hoping to try or experience in the coming year?

Key Verses

• Isaiah 43:18-19
• Mark 2:18-22
• Ezekiel 36:26-27

Questions

• How do you typically respond when God wants to do something new in your life… with excitement or resistance? Why?
• Can you think of a time when God moved differently in your life than you expected? How did that challenge or strengthen your faith?
• What does it mean to you that Jesus identifies himself as the 'bridegroom' in Mark 2? How does this change your understanding of your relationship with God?
• Jonathan mentioned that wilderness seasons often have a holy purpose. Have you experienced a difficult season that later revealed God's preparation in your life?
• What 'old wineskins' or outdated ways of thinking might God be asking you to release to make room for something new?
• How can we better recognize when God is doing a 'new thing' in our lives or circumstances?
• The sermon mentioned that God wants to transform us into something, not just make us look like something from the outside. What's the difference, and why does it matter?
• What role does spiritual discipline like fasting play in preparing our hearts for God's new work in our lives?

Life Application
This week, spend time in prayer asking God to reveal any areas where you might be limiting Him based on past experiences. Consider what 'old wineskins' or patterns of thinking you need to release to make room for the new thing God wants to do in your life. Also, pray about whether God is calling you to join in a time of fasting to seek His direction for the new season ahead.

Key Takeaways

• God is always doing new things and we shouldn't limit Him based on how He moved in the past
• Jesus came to establish a new covenant based on intimacy and grace, not just rules and rituals
• Difficult wilderness seasons often serve as God's preparation ground for new growth and deeper faith
• True transformation comes from God giving us a new heart through His Spirit, changing us from the inside out
• Spiritual disciplines like fasting can help us prepare our hearts for what God wants to do in new seasons

Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for this time of discussion and fellowship. We're grateful that You are always making things new in our lives and that You never stop working for our good. Help us to release any limitations we've placed on You and to trust You as You lead us into new seasons. Give us hearts that are soft and responsive to Your Spirit. Transform us from the inside out to become more like Jesus each day. As we go into this new week, help us to be open to the new things You want to do in and through us. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.