Accept Others as Christ Accepted You
God accepts us, despite our messy lives, impure motives, and irritating attitudes. One of the ways we reflect God’s love and bring him glory is to accept one another just as he accepts us. This means we accept others’ quirks and look past their faults in order to see individuals created in the image of God.
To become more like Jesus, you’ll need the support of a small group. God designed us to mature spiritually with the help of others. For instance, we can’t learn to love others on our own. We need to learn how to accept one another unconditionally, just as Christ accepts us unconditionally.
The Bible says, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:7 NIV).
This acceptance makes any small group a safe environment, where people are not afraid to express their fears and doubts or talk about their struggles and where lasting change is facilitated.
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What events from your past make it hard for you to believe God accepts you?
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Why do you think people are more likely to change after, rather than before, they find acceptance?
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What would be the hardest thing to share with your small group? Ask God to help you let down your walls so you can be vulnerable and transparent with your group.
