Die To Your Old Self

Die To Your Old Self

October 22, 2023

Series: Simple Faith

Jason Cusick

Jason Cusick

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What keeps us from living a simple faith in Jesus?  It’s often a natural but unhealthy focus on ourselves. Sometimes we are scared that we are measuring up to expectations set by us, others, or what we think God’s expects from us. Other times, we are tempted to sit in judgment of others rather than moving toward the very people God is wanting us to befriend.  This week, we’ll see how Paul’s letter to the Galatians challenges us to move from fear to faith.

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Group Discussion Guide

To see the leader guide for this week, click here.

To see a .pdf version of this week’s guide, click here.

Introduction

Last week we discussed how Christians can tend to create add-ons to our faith instead of remembering the simple faith that Jesus calls his disciples to and how we can live out our faith like this.

Spend a few minutes discussing how your group put their personal action steps from last week into practice.

After connecting with each other, begin your meeting with prayer.

Key Verse for the Week

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week.

Romans 14:8

“If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.

Opening Thought

The urge to protect ourselves and our faith can be strong sometimes. We get caught up in trying to pursue Jesus to the point where people who disagree with what we know to be true can seem harmful to the mission that we know we have from Jesus. The problem happens when we start to forget that Jesus taught mercy, harmony, peace, and inclusion into his people. We are made to be a loving, kind, and warm presence, not people that separate ourselves based on what we think is the most important. Jesus made it clear that no matter our differences, our identity is in him and we should bring others to be a part of that.

This leads us to our big idea for this week:

Big idea for the week
Through Jesus, we can share space with people who are different than us.

Connect 

  • Would others consider you an accepting or agreeable person?
  • What kind of topics do you normally find yourself disagreeing with people on? How do you normally go about discussing these disagreements?
  • What is your relationship like with people you find yourself at odds with the most? How often do you find yourself pursuing intentional time with them?

Unpack

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions.

Read

Galatians 2:11-21

Discuss

  • Verse 14 of this section says “when I saw they were not following the truth of the gospel message”. What do you think the author (the Apostle Paul) means by this? Why does it matter if Peter didn’t eat with Gentiles (or non-Jews)?
  • What do you think this section means when it says, ”It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”?
  • If you are comfortable sharing, who are your “gentiles” or the ones you have a challenging time spending time with? What makes them challenging to spend time with?
  • When can it be better to not actively pursue interaction with someone we disagree with? How can we still represent Jesus well with these people?

The next section of verses we are going to read comes from a letter written to the church in Rome by the same author of the verses before, the Apostle Paul, who was addressing a similar situation as in Galatians: What Jewish practices should non-Jewish Christians follow? Paul tells them what matters now is following Jesus. Notice how he calls them to practice unity, not judgment. 

Read

Romans 15:1-7

Discuss

  • What does it mean to live in harmony with others? Why can this be difficult to pursue in our lives?
  • How can pursuing peace and harmony with everyone help us and other know that we find our identity in Jesus?

Apply

On Sunday, Pastor Jason described how to evaluate yourself for  ‘Pharisee-ism’, meaning “when you take your faith to the extreme and become legalistic, prideful, judgmental, and/or unhealthily politically “. These (paraphrased) points can help us know if we are becoming unhealthy in our faith and how we relate to others. The six points are:  

1. Disdain for those who are not where we are spiritually.  

2. A spirit of exclusivity towards others spiritually, culturally, or socially. 

3. Adding extra-Biblical rules/expectations those new to faith have trouble following. 

4. A pattern of idolizing the “old way”/past leaders criticizing current leaders. 

5. A quest for clone-like uniformity of people in our live that only look like us. 

6. Gift projection– The belief that your calling is everyone else’s calling.  

Now, take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week will be: 

  • Which of these six points have you experienced firsthand from someone?
    • Which of these points have you found yourself falling into?
  • How are you going to practically pursue peace and harmony with someone you disagree with this week?
  • How will we be a good representative of who Jesus is this week?
  • How will we keep each other accountable to apply this throughout the week?

Closing

Read this to your group and then move to the Prayer and Verses section:

How we treat others matters. It says a lot about ourselves and our relationships with others, but most importantly, how we treat and interact with others says a lot about Jesus. We should remove our fear of others and pursue the simple faith that Jesus taught, remembering that our identity is in him. Let’s work together to let those around us know that by how we treat them and invite them to know Jesus as well.

Prayer and Verses

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group.

Daily Devotional Verses

Use the S.O.A.K. method to reflect on the verses below.

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well.
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read?
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read?
Kneel in Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned.

Day 1: Galatians 2:11-21

Day 2: Matthew 7:1-2

Day 3: Ephesians 4:21-24

Day 4: Mark 12:29-31

Day 5: 2 Timothy 1:7

Day 6: John 13:34

Key Verse for the Week

Romans 14:8

“If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

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PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

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