Led by the Holy Spirit, your DNA will listen and obey as He calls us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. The goal is to empower the hands so that, in light of their repentance, each person knows what to do and who to tell every time the group meets.
Act primarily involves discipling the hands. Once we’ve discovered the truth about who God is and what He’s done, and once we’ve repented of our sin/unbelief and renewed our faith in Jesus, we need to ask the Spirit to guide us in changing the way we live. Our repentance must have some practical impact on our lives.
When John the Baptist was baptising people, preparing them for the arrival of the Messiah, he exhorted them to “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” He wanted them to demonstrate through their lives that their repentance was legitimate.
This was a part of Paul’s message, as well. As he was telling the story of his conversion to King Agrippa, Paul said, “I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God - and prove they have changed by the good things they do.” (Acts 26: 20)
Legalism has left a bad taste in the mouths of so many followers of Jesus that talk of works and actions can sometimes be dismissed. While the “you-are-what-you-do” mindset has certainly caused a great deal of damage in the church, the New Testament clearly calls us to change our behavior in light of the gospel.
The book of Titus is one clear example. Titus 2: 11 - 12 says, “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn away from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God..."
If the Spirit leads someone to repentance, either outside of the DNA group, or during the weekly meeting, spend 5 - 10 minutes praying and listening together. Ask the Spirit to speak. Be quiet and listen, waiting for Him to answer two specific questions:
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?
As followers of Jesus, we have already been transformed. We are a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5: 17) But we are also called to “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12: 2) Repentance will lead to change, and when we ask, the Spirit will call us to do something.
WHO DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL?
Jesus gave his followers his Spirit so they could be his witnesses (Acts 1: 8). He wants us to bear witness to the reality of His work in our lives. When we ask the Spirit, “who do you want me to tell?”, He may lead us to talk to both believers and not-yet-believers. He may want us to tell our spouse, our kids, our friends, or another member of the church family. He may also want us to tell a co-worker or a neighbour.
We often wonder how to share the gospel with our not-yet-believing friends. And yet, every time we experience the conviction of the Spirit and the forgiveness of Jesus, we have an amazing story to tell about how Jesus is saving us today.
When a neighbor asks, “How are you?”, we can take the safe route, or we can be vulnerable and share a recent struggle with anger or worry or pride, pointing to Jesus yet again as our only hope.
After a few minutes of praying and listening, the group will discuss what they heard. Because of our lingering struggle against sin, we often need the input of our brothers and sisters to help determine exactly how to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Praying, listening, and discussing this together is a prime opportunity to practice mutual submission. In light of the repentance the Spirit granted, and in light of what he said to the group, clear action steps should be determined together.
When John the Baptist was baptising people, preparing them for the arrival of the Messiah, he exhorted them to “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” He wanted them to demonstrate through their lives that their repentance was legitimate.
This was a part of Paul’s message, as well. As he was telling the story of his conversion to King Agrippa, Paul said, “I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God - and prove they have changed by the good things they do.” (Acts 26: 20)
Legalism has left a bad taste in the mouths of so many followers of Jesus that talk of works and actions can sometimes be dismissed. While the “you-are-what-you-do” mindset has certainly caused a great deal of damage in the church, the New Testament clearly calls us to change our behavior in light of the gospel.
The book of Titus is one clear example. Titus 2: 11 - 12 says, “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn away from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God..."
If the Spirit leads someone to repentance, either outside of the DNA group, or during the weekly meeting, spend 5 - 10 minutes praying and listening together. Ask the Spirit to speak. Be quiet and listen, waiting for Him to answer two specific questions:
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?
As followers of Jesus, we have already been transformed. We are a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5: 17) But we are also called to “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12: 2) Repentance will lead to change, and when we ask, the Spirit will call us to do something.
WHO DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL?
Jesus gave his followers his Spirit so they could be his witnesses (Acts 1: 8). He wants us to bear witness to the reality of His work in our lives. When we ask the Spirit, “who do you want me to tell?”, He may lead us to talk to both believers and not-yet-believers. He may want us to tell our spouse, our kids, our friends, or another member of the church family. He may also want us to tell a co-worker or a neighbour.
We often wonder how to share the gospel with our not-yet-believing friends. And yet, every time we experience the conviction of the Spirit and the forgiveness of Jesus, we have an amazing story to tell about how Jesus is saving us today.
When a neighbor asks, “How are you?”, we can take the safe route, or we can be vulnerable and share a recent struggle with anger or worry or pride, pointing to Jesus yet again as our only hope.
After a few minutes of praying and listening, the group will discuss what they heard. Because of our lingering struggle against sin, we often need the input of our brothers and sisters to help determine exactly how to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Praying, listening, and discussing this together is a prime opportunity to practice mutual submission. In light of the repentance the Spirit granted, and in light of what he said to the group, clear action steps should be determined together.