1. Dying to self is a response to Christ.

2. Living with Christ is connecting our real life in him.

13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” 15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires (Or "for we must fulfill all righteousness"). So John agreed to baptize him. 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations (or all peoples), baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

3. An eternal perspective helps regulate our earthly practices.

Have each person share a high and low from this past week.

Since Christ has freed us from the power of sin, we can respond by resisting temptation and pursuing a new way of living life with an eternal perspective instead of an earthly perspective.

What is one reality you are looking forward to in heaven?

Choose one or two questions for your group to discuss as time allows.

- How does “death to self” benefit us?

- Pastor Matt said, “Jesus didn’t come to give us new information, he came that we might experience transformation.” What is the difference between information and transformation?

- What are some ways people can set their sights on the reality of heaven while still living out their real life here on earth?

- How does our relationship with God grow like a marriage relationship?

Spend 1-2 minutes in silence with these questions then share your thoughts.

Colossians 3:10 (NCV) says, “You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God.” What does this verse mean to you specifically in this season of your life?