THE POWER OF REPENTANCE - THE BLOOD
Redemption through His blood.
Introduction
Welcome to this 30-minute workbook designed to help you deepen your understanding of Christian faith, particularly focusing on the concepts of redemption and repentance. Through scripture readings, reflection, and practical action points, this guide aims to strengthen your spiritual foundation and help you experience the transformative power of God's love.
1. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Jesus who is the Christ. We worship You and praise You for Your joy, Your loving kindness, and the open access we have to Your presence. Thank You for dealing with our sins and trusting You with all outcomes. Fill us again with Your Holy Spirit and guide us as we explore Your Word today. Help us to understand and experience the depth of Your love and the power of redemption. Amen.
2. Scripture Reading and Reflection
Scripture 1: John 6:56 (NKJV)
"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."
Reflection: Jesus uses the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to symbolize the deep, abiding relationship He wants with His followers. Reflect on what it means to be so closely united with Christ that His life flows through you.
Scripture 2: Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
Reflection: Redemption means being bought back from sin and its consequences. Contemplate the significance of being redeemed through Jesus' sacrifice and how it affects your daily life and relationship with God.
Scripture 3: Philippians 2:3-8 (NKJV)
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
Reflection: This passage shows how Christ served us by humbling Himself and becoming a servant, even unto death. Reflect on how this act of humility and service can inspire and challenge your own actions toward others.
3. Action Points
Self-Examination:
List Creation: Write down 10-15 people in your life, including family, friends, and colleagues.
Assessment: For each person, assess whether you are esteeming them above yourself. Are you prioritizing their needs and interests, or do you find yourself often focusing on your own needs?
Identify Selfish Ambition and Conceit:
Reflect on areas in your life where selfish ambition or conceit might be influencing your decisions and interactions. Ask yourself:
Where do I put my interests before others?
In what situations do I act out of selfish ambition?
Commit to Service:
Choose one person from your list to serve selflessly this week. This could involve acts of kindness, support, or putting their needs above your own.
Practical Application:
Daily Check-in: Each day, ask yourself how you can embody the humility and servitude of Christ in your interactions. Write down any specific instances where you put others' interests first.
4. Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the opportunity to learn more about Your redemptive love and the call to repentance. Help us to embrace the humility and service that Jesus exemplified. Show us where we can grow in esteeming others and living out our redemption. Guide us in our daily walk, and help us reflect Your love in all we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.