Title: Holiness 2.0

Series: W1N

Icebreaker: What is one thing you do to take care of yourself physically (Ex: diet choices, exercise, etc.)?

Read  2 Peter 1:2-4

Bishop continued his series W1N this past Sunday with a message on the importance of pursuing holiness.  

I. Holiness is an inward process.

Read Hebrews 12:9-10

Commentary: The Bible teaches that holiness is an attribute of God and begins with inward transformation. God is the one who starts the process of drawing us to himself, but we have an active role in pursuing holiness so that what’s changing inside of us is also reflected outwardly over time.

• How do we inherently know right from wrong?
• How do we look at scripture to help us understand what holiness actually means and what it may look like in our lives?

II. Elements that help us grow in holiness:

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Ephesians 5:26, Romans 10:17

Commentary: The Holy Spirit is constantly at work to make us more like God. The word of God is constantly at work washing over us to remind us who we are in Christ, and change our way of thinking. Our faith is what enables us to receive all that God has promised us, and each of these elements (Spirit, word, faith) work together to help us live in pursuit of God’s holiness.

• Are these elements only at work in us when we are new believers? How do these elements show up and work in us as we journey with Christ for longer periods of time?

III. The blood of Jesus...

Read Hebrews 13:12, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 5:18, 1 John 3:9

Commentary: It is possible to live in a position where sin and satan cannot touch us, this is the power and protection the blood of Jesus provides. The blood unites us with fellow believers and works to sharpen, strengthen, and cleanse us. The blood of Jesus gives us a new nature, an incorruptible nature, that does not sin against God.

• Our old nature and new nature live at war within us, how do we choose which one dominates our lives?
• What daily habits can help with weakening the old nature and strengthening the new nature we have in Christ?
• How can we discern if we’ve allowed our old nature to creep up and reel it back in? 

IV. The altar... 

Read  Matthew 23:18-19, Romans 12:1-2 

Commentary: Just as the priests of the Old Testament had to bring physical sacrifices to the altar, we are called to lay ourselves down at the altar of God in surrender to his will and his way. It is the altar that sanctifies whatever is placed upon it, setting it apart and making it holy.

• How do you know that you are in the will of God? Where does the confidence to know that come from? 
• If there’s something in your life that you’re unsure about, how can you bring it before God to learn his will for that situation?

UPCOMING EVENTS + REMINDERS:

Encounter Weekend:

Join us on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14 for the first Encounter of 2026! Come expecting to hear profound teaching, to receive ministry from trained ministers and – most importantly – to encounter the presence of the Holy Spirit in a powerful way! To register or find out more information, please visit citychurchnola.life/encounter.

Water Baptism:

Water Baptism is an essential act of a disciple of Jesus Christ. Our next Water Baptism will take place on Sunday, March 15 during service. To register, please visit citychurchnola.life/water-baptism.

New Members' Welcome Party:

If you’ve recently become a member of City Church – or if you’d like to officially join the church, then please come to the New Members’ Welcome Party to be held on Sunday, April 12 following service in our Tuscany Room. Please reach out to your district pastor for more details.

REPORT:

Please continue to report your in-person and virtual group meetings!

By using the same email address at which you would normally receive report reminders, you may update your group information and report your weekly meetings.

If you need help with reporting, please contact your district pastor.

Have an amazing and Spirit-filled group!